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[IBC] cocoa shell mulch
Hi All:
Anyone using cocoa shell mulch in making bonsai soil? It is a pretty homogeneous material. The pieces are generally less than .5 inch in diameter and maybe 1/32 in thick. The material is somewhat stiff but nothing like bark, probably because it's so much thinner. On top of that, it smells really nice. Ed Spaans Grand Rapids, MI. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Ed Spaans wrote:
Hi All: Anyone using cocoa shell mulch in making bonsai soil? It is a pretty homogeneous material. The pieces are generally less than .5 inch in diameter and maybe 1/32 in thick. The material is somewhat stiff but nothing like bark, probably because it's so much thinner. On top of that, it smells really nice. And it turns into a greasy mush. Even as a mulch it seems to grow mold and other fungus better than anything I know. But maybe that's just down here in the hot and humid southeast. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Nature encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
I have been using it for over a year now. It seems to work very well,
grows mold very quickly here in Iowa. It is easier for me to find as well. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
On Jun 14, 2005, at 7:21 PM, Jim Lewis wrote:
Ed Spaans wrote: Hi All: Anyone using cocoa shell mulch in making bonsai soil? It is a pretty homogeneous material. The pieces are generally less than .5 inch in diameter and maybe 1/32 in thick. The material is somewhat stiff but nothing like bark, probably because it's so much thinner. On top of that, it smells really nice. And it turns into a greasy mush. Even as a mulch it seems to grow mold and other fungus better than anything I know. But maybe that's just down here in the hot and humid southeast. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Nature encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson Even in Maine it turned to mush after one growing season. Use something else. Craig Cowing NY Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Since cocoa shell mulch is not the best, and it seems to be much easier to
find, does anyone know of a good source for smaller size pine bark nuggets? ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
If you can get orchid mix, it works great for bonsai. When I
could get it, I found it to be very homogenous particle size, just right for our needs. However, I haven't been able to get anyone local to carry it. They know that the bonsai group is small and apparently so are the orchid growers. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Dave Ward Since cocoa shell mulch is not the best, and it seems to be much easier to find, does anyone know of a good source for smaller size pine bark nuggets? ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Alan:
In my part of the world, more and more florists are selling potted orchids for the home. Often, they will have orchid bark mixes. It isn't cheap, but, in the quantities we use, can save a lot of miles chasing after an alternative. Regards, Bart Thomas ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alan Walker" To: Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 1:42 AM Subject: [IBC] cocoa shell mulch If you can get orchid mix, it works great for bonsai. When I could get it, I found it to be very homogenous particle size, just right for our needs. However, I haven't been able to get anyone local to carry it. They know that the bonsai group is small and apparently so are the orchid growers. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Dave Ward Since cocoa shell mulch is not the best, and it seems to be much easier to find, does anyone know of a good source for smaller size pine bark nuggets? ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
In a message dated 6/14/2005 8:34:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
writes: I have been using it for over a year now. It seems to work very well, grows mold very quickly here in Iowa. It is easier for me to find as well. Growing mold is a good thing? Have I missed something? Billy on the Florida Space Coast ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Billy,
I was being somewhat sarcastic. I have tried it, and yes it does grow mold very well. I seem to be very good at that. And, I have a hard time finding pine bark nuggets. Sorry for the poor attemt at humor. ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
've had the same problem of trying to find composted pine/fir bark mulch. A garden center in Kansas City has it but would only sell it in cubic yard lots. I don't have that many trees so this spring I ordered from Dallas Bonsai Gardens. They had a special of buy 2 bags get one free. That was plenty for this years repotting and should cover next years too. I have been trying to find Fir bark but it is hard to find here. I found a 25 lb bag for $30 I is usually sold as Orchid mix and goes for $8 for a small bag. Pine bark is sold all over SteveW ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Considering the time and money expended on my bonsai, it
doesn't make sense to cheap out on the soil. Cost doesn't always mean quality, but quality should be the main concern most of the time. Hard experience teaches the lesson of "penny wise and pound foolish." Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Bart Thomas Alan: In my part of the world, more and more florists are selling potted orchids for the home. Often, they will have orchid bark mixes. It isn't cheap, but, in the quantities we use, can save a lot of miles chasing after an alternative. Regards, Bart Thomas ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alan Walker" If you can get orchid mix, it works great for bonsai. When I could get it, I found it to be very homogenous particle size, just right for our needs. However, I haven't been able to get anyone local to carry it. They know that the bonsai group is small and apparently so are the orchid growers. Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org -----Original Message----- From: Dave Ward Since cocoa shell mulch is not the best, and it seems to be much easier to find, does anyone know of a good source for smaller size pine bark nuggets? ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
On Jun 15, 2005, at 9:34 PM, Alan Walker wrote:
Considering the time and money expended on my bonsai, it doesn't make sense to cheap out on the soil. Cost doesn't always mean quality, but quality should be the main concern most of the time. Hard experience teaches the lesson of "penny wise and pound foolish." Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org Anita and I make our own compost, which costs nothing other than minimal labor. In return we get wonderful compost which makes for an excellent addition to our soil. I use a bit of the pine bark as well, but mostly in the larger trees. As a result, the only soil component I've bought recently, since I have several bags of the pine bark, is Turface. Alan's right. The right soil is critical. Don't cut corners, but it doesn't have to be expensive either. Craig Cowing NY Zone 5b/6a Sunset 37 ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
Craig Cowing wrote:
On Jun 15, 2005, at 9:34 PM, Alan Walker wrote: Considering the time and money expended on my bonsai, it doesn't make sense to cheap out on the soil. Cost doesn't always mean quality, but quality should be the main concern most of the time. Hard experience teaches the lesson of "penny wise and pound foolish." Alan Walker http://bonsai-bci.com http://LCBSBonsai.org Anita and I make our own compost, which costs nothing other than minimal labor. In return we get wonderful compost which makes for an excellent addition to our soil. I use a bit of the pine bark as well, but mostly in the larger trees. As a result, the only soil component I've bought recently, since I have several bags of the pine bark, is Turface. I use home brewed compost, too, but there is an important issue with home-made compost. You MUST be certain it reaches and maintains a high enough temperature during the composting process that all the major pathogens. To get these temperatures, you need a pile that is at least 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet deep. A hot pile reaches 160 degrees (F) and is best, of course, but if it can cook for a few months at 120 degrees you will be OK. To get your piles hot enough, you must turn it frequently. Down here, that's no big problem. Elsewhere, it can be. There IS "passive composting" and anaerobic decomposition. This can get smelly. Rodale publishes books on composting (see also their Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening) and there are websites galore. Jim Lewis - - Tallahassee, FL - Nature encourages no looseness, pardons no errors. Ralph Waldo Emerson ************************************************** ****************************** ++++Sponsored, in part, by Kevin Bailey++++ ************************************************** ****************************** -- The IBC HOME PAGE & FAQ: http://www.internetbonsaiclub.org/ -- +++++ Questions? Help? e-mail +++++ |
At one point, (before I was forced to move to an apartment and lost
most of my gardening area) we had a compost barrel. We bought it as such, but it was a fairly simple compost. Metal drum, door in side (that latches, that's important) that is set on a frame with pivots. There was a handle at one end of the barrel and someone would go out there and give it a good turn once in a while. After a couple months, line a bag up under the door and let the soil drop out. |
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