Sourcing Soil Amendments

6 years ago

Hey guys n gals. I'm new here and I've got a quick question for anyone able to help. I'm in the West Palm Beach area and I wanted to know if anyone knows where I can find large amounts of 1/4" or smaller pumice and lava rock for my bonsai. Couldn't find anything on the forums. I saw an old post from AL on where to source the stuff for gritty mix, which was super helpful, but nothing on this kind of stuff. Anyways, any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks so much!

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carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

If you're doing Bonsai, is there a Bonsai society or similar in your area? They would know, I'm guessing. A local garden club might help too.

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Comments (10)

bea (zone 9a -Jax area)
6 years ago
A Google search brought this place up and they show 1/4".

https://www.bonsaiboy.com/catalog/product6985.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6cTt9IuK5QIVRL7ACh0yUAmaEAQYBCABEgIdRfD_BwE
ali_bubba
Original Author
6 years ago
I appreciate the reply. There are plenty of of places online where I can buy this stuff but its all in small amounts, very expensive and the shipping is insane... Was hoping to find a place somewhat local that I can pick up large quantities of.
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rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
ali, I assume that you've phoned all of the landscape supply companies in your vicinity for these amendments you need and received no guidance. Have you tried the hydroponics outlets?

It looks like there are many, many stores in West Palm Beach area that may be able to help you.
ali_bubba
Original Author
6 years ago
I've called a gazillion landscape supplies and building suppliers and whatnot, no one carries it and most don't even know what I'm talking about. Didn't think of the hydroponic shops tho, that's a great idea, I'm gonna give it a try, thanks.
tropicofcancer (6b SW-PA)
6 years ago
Look at dallasbonsai.com. It is having a 65% off sale and you may still find what you need.
mblan13
6 years ago
Don't know if the OP is still here or in need, but Bonsai Jack is out of Fort Myers FL. Here is a LINK to the website.
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years ago
American Bonsai

3345 N Courtenay Pkwy. Suite 101, Merritt Island, FL 32953
Phone: 321-802-2222
Hours: 9-5 / Mon-Fri

They'll have anything everything you'll need to make any type of media you might need.

Look here - click me for more info.

Al
mblan13
6 years ago
Al, Do you have any idea what the "NutraAg" is composed of?
tapla (mid-Michigan, USDA z5b-6a)
6 years ago
I called AB and talked to Cullen (I think), and he either wouldn't tell me ...... or maybe the guy didn't know, though he sounded knowledgeable about all the other things we discussed. All he said is, it has an extremely high CEC capacity, it's used as a small fraction of the medium (10-15%), they buy directly from source, it's been very well-accepted by the bonsai community, and they are currently in the process of putting together a very detailed spec sheet that addresses its physical and chemical properties.

It appears to be in the clay mineral group, so, using his information, I sort of did a bit of searching. If I had to guess, I'd say it was in the zeolite family, but there are other clay minerals with even higher CEC (smectite). Kaolinite (based only on appearance) is another possibility.

Al