About 5 years ago I made a conscious decision to transition my collection to smaller trees. At present, shohin and mame make up about 85% of the trees I own. A few years back I stocked up on soil components (Shohin blends as well individual substrates of Akadama, Pumice and Black Lava Rock with particle sizes ranging from 1/8" to 1/16" and smaller), but have nearly run out of that supply.
I’m finding it difficult this winter finding online resources that sell soil blends or indiviidual substrates of the sizes appropriate to Shohin and Mame. A few websites offer Aoki, Clay King and Banzai Blends in Shohin particle size, but the Akadama content in those blends is too high (60%-80%) to use with my pre-bonsai.
The fundamental problem is that many websites and nurseries sell shohin size trees, but few offer soil for other than large trees. If you know of resources selling soil to meet my needs, I would appreciate hearing from you. Happy holidays
I have been using volcanic pumice from 4 Corners - Organics in Castle Rock, WA. I have inquiry into them about dealers.
One of their dealers is Concentrates Inc. in Portland, OR Pumice – Fine (3/16″or less) – Concentrates, Inc.. They only ship bulk or pallet quantities. They have link for dealers in their webpage, but it seems to be broken.
The fine bagged material is 36% between 4 and 8 mesh/inch and 43% between 8 and 16 mesh/inch. It needs to be well dried before sieving. Concentrates Inc. lists it as $6.40/bag and I buy it from a local supplier for $12/bag.
Thanks, Joe. I used Tiny Roots products last year for my medium-sized trees.
Their Pumice is sold in Shohin size (1mm-3mm), regular (5mm) and large (7mm). Their Red Lava is a combination of small, medium and large, but even the small (1/8"-1/4") is larger than what I’m looking for. And their Akadama (5mm) actually sifts OUT the size I seek. If you read the description carefully, it states they double sift and REMOVE particles that make it through their 1/16" and 1/8" screens. The Tiny Roots’ substrate is actually good quality but suitable for medium sized trees and larger. Definitely pricey as you said. But other than the Pumice, the particle sizes are too large for my needs. Thanks for the lead.
Thanks, Marty. Would appreciate hearing about any dealer info you receive. The Pumice I can obtain in Shohin and Mame size. It’s the Black Lava and Akadama that’s difficult to find. I’m working with Jonas from Bonsai Tonight who might have a solution for me.
Have you checked out American bonsai out of Florida? I know lots has changed with their business but last I checked they still had several blends of soil in the shohin size and also stocked pre sifted components? Probably worth a call?
Have used their products over the years. My general sense from a conversation with one of the owners during Covid was they were slowly stepping away from this part of their business because cost (both for the substrate and shipping) had become prohibitive.
I still have a small bag of their Mame size Black Lava as well as their Ultra mix (one bag each of mini and micro size particles) that will all be used up repotting this Spring. Can probably buy some additional micro size substrates, though they do not use Akadama in their mixes nor sell it as a stand alone substrate, if I recall. Will definitely give them a call; thanks.