|
|
|
Forum Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/10/2008 7:00:34 PM
Posts: 37,
Visits: 46
|
|
OK everyone, here's my first 'proper' BG post, and it's about re-using bonsai soil. I've just started re-potting some of my little trees - just done 3-4 today, replaced the soil for each, and ended up with a pile of old soil out of the pots. I'm really pleased to report that all three trees - a small Corylus, my small Quercus (which I have now cut right down - photo follows soon I hope), and my I-don't-ever-know-what -to-do-with-it-Lonicera, each had developed fantastic fibrous root systems. I take this to be a main effect of using the TCL:HG:NPC mix we have all been discussing for the past 1-2 years.
Now, my question is - the old compost, which came out of the pots - why shouldn't I sieve it and use it again? The pro is obvious - no waste, less expense, but what are the cons, if any? Does anyone re-cycle soil at all?  SJ.
Surrey John says "keep pruning".
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Guru
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 5/29/2008 6:25:16 PM
Posts: 72,
Visits: 197
|
|
| Hi If you sieve the old soil to remove the larger components, eg cat litter, or grit, there is no problem in reusing that. The compost is probably not much good, but can be used for cuttings and plants that don't matter too much. There is nothing particularly wrong with re-using some old soil, after all it is only something to hold the roots and allow the plant to feed. We after all suppply all the nutrients. Most soil components are cheap enough to throw away, and many do not feel it worth the effort to rescue it!
Best regards
Keith
Leeds UK----------------------------------------------------- "We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are."
-- Anais Nin "valde bonsai ex ferreus opus" (see I can do latin as well!) The Human mind is like a Parachute, They both need to be open to work!
|
|
|
|
|
Genius
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Today @ 8:05:05 PM
Posts: 306,
Visits: 1,500
|
|
I have lived at the same address since 1969 and have to confess that I have always put all old soil from hanging pots, containers, tubs, large flower pots, bonsai pots etc onto the back garden borders. As we have naturally sandy soil, this added compost, sand, grit etc has really given the garden soil a boost, mind you, saying that I did in the very beginning dig in a cart load of horse manure  I'm afraid the neighbours were not best pleased with me at the time 
Kath
UK - Zone 8
"Patience is a virtue"
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 2/25/2008 8:39:29 AM
Posts: 12,
Visits: 58
|
|
| i'm keeping all my old soil and using it when i have something big to pot up and when i dig something up and have to put it into a growing container.
|
|
|
|
|
Look Mum - I can fly
Group: Moderators
Last Login: Today @ 3:37:09 PM
Posts: 386,
Visits: 1,836
|
|
My obsolete bonsai compost has mostly been deposited in a pile which has achieved large proportions. It is now the growing space for kitchen herbs and has been enriched with rotted goat bedding. It also provides a place to stick pruning offcuts which either root or don't with little attention.Strangely enough it is where I empty the tea dregs out of the pots too. This keeps it slightly moist. Okay, so I'm lazy with my gardening which isn't bonsai.
My name is Don and I'm a bonsaiholic. If at first you don't succeed, stop growing Serissa.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/31/2008 9:54:08 AM
Posts: 38,
Visits: 292
|
|
Surrey John (2/10/2008)
Now, my question is - the old compost, which came out of the pots - why shouldn't I sieve it and use it again?
No reason at all.
Just make sure you seive it well to extract all those tiny bits of decayed organic matter. you may find it useful to wash it, too, as the pores of the cat litter may have become clogged by microscopic particles as well. Generally, when I've re-used my soil, there's not actually that much waste the second time round, but that's probably because I only use bark as the organic matter, rather than compost, and it breaks down so slowly that fine particles are slow to accumulate.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 7/10/2008 7:00:34 PM
Posts: 37,
Visits: 46
|
|
Thanks all, for your comments. I have a very smallgarden, and chucking old used soil on it doesn't really help, while chucking it out via the dustbin ain't very popular with th bin men. Re-cucling seemed sensible, and you all seem to agree one way or the other. Jim - I have bark as organic in my mix, so should be OK.
Horse poo indeed, Kath
SJ
Surrey John says "keep pruning".
|
|
|
|