The latest #bonsai controversy revolves around the use of lava (scoria) as a primary component of #BonsaiSoil. Some citing elevated levels of boron (which should be far less in concentrations than in other components used (pumice and imported clays) typically.

https://crataegus.com/2023/03/10/is-lava-good-for-bonsai-media/

Shown in photos is a field collected tree from the top of the cinder pile used to stock Oregon DOT’s winter gravel pit…a 15 year old tree when collected just before the pandemic…and “potted” in an Anderson flat in the field soil without any sifting or sorting.

Although the ends of many needles are sun damaged due to heat/sun against west facing wall…the overall health is strong…and it has enough energy to set cones.

So full basalt soil media has not caused any harm to the tree (just like where it was rescued from plow/grader) and it seems healthy and well…and still loving the field soil that likely had natural mycorrhizae that was captured in the transition.

#Trees #Soil

@danstark

The Nash Crater site that I posted a panorama of a couple weeks back is near the intersection of McKenzie and Santiam Highways.

I got the great black scoria there and it also has the bright red cinder. Although we screened it on site, I also collected a pine in its field soil from a spot that will have been bulldozed by now. The tree did great in the unscreened cinder that has 1” sized clasts all the way down to dust.

Although we try to maximize the soil for the trees, some are happy in what we would consider the poorest of soil quality.

#BonsaiSoil #Bonsai #Trees

#Bonsai #BonsaiSoil #Trees #Soil
#Sediment #TinyTrunkThursday

Bonsai soil typically consists of pumice, scoria (vesicular lava) and imported or local clay.

1st Photo - Crushed shale screened to approximately 2mm sized grains for use as a bonsai soil. Coarser fraction (left to be used for bottom aeration layer) and center mixed with other components to form suitable soil mix.

2nd - Candidate Oregon “Mystery” clay purchased from a “friend” who won’t tell me where he gets it…for use in testing its properties.

3rd - Mixture of black basalt scoria lava, white pumice and black charcoal to be used in bonsai soil mix.

4 - Closeup of imported Japanese Akadama clay. Akadama means “red ball earth” and is the primary soil used for bonsai world round.

My goal is to find suitable soils found locally that support all horticultural needs of tiny trees in pots:

A composition with appropriate CEC, moisture retention, soil structure retention and mineral supply to support potted trees.

@Sydney

Find a club, a mentor or join an on-line community. You will learn more from experts in hours than all the books you can read. If they offer classes at a local club or nursery…sign up.

There are tons of YouTube videos, but a bit hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. Here are a couple…but again, finding a live cadre of experienced bonsai practitioners is ideal. And don’t be shy, they want to share their knowledge, even if their demeanor says otherwise.

Heron’s Bonsai
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cgvFLa8ANP0

For inspiration… https://bonsaimirai.com/

Follow #Bonsai and #BonsaiSoil

#Geology #Volcano #Rocks #Tephra #GroundIsLava #Oregon #Cascades #BonsaiSoil

Panoramic view across central vent of Little Nash Crater near Santiam Summit in Oregon. Center of vent characterized by bright red scoria while the flanks show 1” and smaller dark gray to black scoria…this is one of the primary quarries of cinder used to “sand” highways in Central Oregon during the winter.

The black scoria is somewhat rare and prized for use in #bonsai #soil in Oregon…combined with pumice and clay.

@MelodyWainscott

I devoured every book our library had and thought I had some of it down…but then stumbled into a local club who have outreach classes for beginners.

That is your best bet…and also leaping in. The skills you already have on board from gardening are far superior to where I started.

I mostly am in the development phase on far too many #bonsai but the enjoyment is more important than the results.

I have completely nerded out on #BonsaiSoil and enjoy that as much as the #trees