Pine fines source

Discussion in 'Maples' started by kgeezy20, Jul 18, 2020.

  1. kgeezy20

    kgeezy20 Active Member Maple Society

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    Does anyone have a source for pine fines they could recommend for me here in the states? I once bought a small bag online from some bonsai source, I believe it was called something like Bonsai Jack, and they were great. Perfect size and seemingly great quality. But I have far more trees now, and the bag was so little and pretty expensive. I’ve found a few bags at relatively local garden centers, but the quality is far from bonsai jack, which is to be expected as they are much cheaper. Anyone have a go-to?

    Kyle
     
  2. LoverOfMaples

    LoverOfMaples Generous Contributor Maple Society

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    Hi Kyle. If you don't mind me asking are you using for bonsai, potted maples, etc? I normally buy pine bark mulch from a local nursery. They get it shipped from the south. I sift it myself to get the desired particles size for my bonsai mix. Whats left I use for my maples and other plants. This is much more cost efficient for me due to the amount of trees and plants I use the bark for. I'm surprise it's not easy to fine where you are from.

    Bonsai Jack
    Pine Bark Fines – Bonsai Jack ©
    Sifter
    Bonsai Soil Sieve Set
     
  3. kgeezy20

    kgeezy20 Active Member Maple Society

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    Potted maples and various other trees. Is there a particle size you prefer for your maples?
     
  4. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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  5. LoverOfMaples

    LoverOfMaples Generous Contributor Maple Society

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    Not really. I only sift for my bonsai. Straight out the bag for my potted and in ground maples.
     
  6. kgeezy20

    kgeezy20 Active Member Maple Society

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    That’s what I was hoping to hear lol. Do you use perlite or anything similar as well?
     
  7. LoverOfMaples

    LoverOfMaples Generous Contributor Maple Society

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    Yes. I use pine bark mulch, perlite, small amount of organic compost and lava rock.
     
  8. Luke’s Maples

    Luke’s Maples Generous Contributor

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    I use
    I use this too. I mix it with Ericaceous compost and potting grit. I would use the compost and bark alone in larger, heavier pots, but I like the weight that the grit gives the smaller potted maples. It helps keep them the right way up in windy weather.
     
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  9. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    @kgeezy20 Kyle, I thought I would just add a photo of mine so you can see how fine it is for pots. This is the grade you should be looking for.
     

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  10. LoverOfMaples

    LoverOfMaples Generous Contributor Maple Society

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    That looks pretty good @Acerholic.

    I have found it difficult here in the NE US to find good growing medium for my maples. Luckily when I was lived in Connecticut I find a nursery that sold pine bark mulch the comes from a company in the Carolinas. I love it and the trees love it. I hate the shredded stuff that's sold everywhere! Now I live in Rhode Island, I drive 1:40 mins to the nursery that have what I need. What I do for my plants!
     

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  11. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    @LoverOfMaples, good evening D, yes it's quite good, but it's so expensive. 60Ltrs costs me £24 including delivery as I cannot get it anywhere near me. I suppose that's about $30 in your money. Very expensive if you have a lot of pots. Bet Luke @Luke’s Maples has to buy a few bags for all his pots.
    Good to see a photo of yours for comparison also. Hope it all helps Kyle @kgeezy20 and others of course.
     
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  12. LoverOfMaples

    LoverOfMaples Generous Contributor Maple Society

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    Hey D. Yes that's expensive. Luckily mine is about $7 us. The down side for me is I have a little over 3 hr drive for mine.

    I think with all of this great info @kgeezy20 will come up with something that works.
     
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  13. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    @LoverOfMaples, that's about £5 a bag, well worth the drive D.
    Agreed, hopefully Kyle will come up with something now.
     
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  14. kgeezy20

    kgeezy20 Active Member Maple Society

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    For “compost” are you meaning like actual compost that you can purchase bags of at most box stores, or do you mean like peat moss? I usually use a bit of peat moss but honestly I’d like to get away from using it.
     
  15. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    @kgeezy20, good morning Kyle, I use a good compost ,bark and horticultural grade grit. It is NOT the compost that you might use for hanging baskets that only has enough goodness in for 8 weeks. In the UK this is called John Innes no 3. If you Google it you will be able to get the US version.
    I am the same I use a bit of peat but am also trying to get away from using this.
    Have a look at the link to enable you to see different types for comparison.
    John Innes potting compost
     
  16. Luke’s Maples

    Luke’s Maples Generous Contributor

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    Good morning. Yes I have had a good couple of bags of that over the last year. I have been looking for an alternative but not having much luck. I also use peat moss but it is becoming harder to source, which I guess is a good thing? I’m not sure if it is any better than ericaceous compost? I bought some John Innes ericaceous last time which had a very loamy, sandy feel to it. I would happily use that again.
    @LoverOfMaples the stuff you are using looks spot on. It has some nice chunks along with some finer grader material - well worth the drive as D said! Great price too.
     
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  17. Mani

    Mani Active Member

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    @Acerholic AK Kin are a good company to buy from? I'd never heard of them before.
     
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  18. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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  19. Mani

    Mani Active Member

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    @Acerholic What are you using as an alternative to peat?
     
  20. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    @Mani, a little Ericaceuos compost. I really prefer peat, but it's not the done thing these days. I use perlite to help aeration as well. Quite paranoid about this, lol.
     

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