Sources for Bonsai Potting Soil

Bonsai Soil Components

Granite

  1. Decomposed Granite is found in stream beds
     
  2. Crushed granite is available as "Grani-Grit" and may be found at feed stores where it is purchased for use with chicken and turkeys. There are three sizes of particles:
     
    • Starter, 1/16 inch
       
    • Growers, 1/8 inch
       
    • Developers-Layers, 1/4 inch
       

Local sources for granite are:

Tractor Supply Co.
1348 N. Main St.
Fuquay-Varina.

As of 01/20/2012 - They carry MannaPro Poultry Grit, a small to medium, sharp-grain crushed granite that ranges in color from brown to gray for $8.49 per 25 lb. bag.

Triangle Farm and Home Inc.
7603 N. Roxboro Rd. (Hwy 501)
Bahama NC
919-471-0000
...has granite grit (also known as chicken grit or grani-grit) in three sizes: starter (1/8"), growth (1/4"), and developer (3/8"). The price is $4 for a 50 pound bag. Call before you go to make sure they have the size you want.

Sand


(The NC Arboretum in Asheville, NC substitutes this for granite in their bonsai soil mix.)
Hughes Supply Company
1252 Intrepid Court
Raleigh NC 27610
phone 1-800-248-4526
Ask for "Well Gravel #3" - $4.62 for a 50-pound bag

Agri Supply
409 US HWY 70 East
Garner, NC 27529
1-800-662-1873
or 919-772-0865
Well Gravel, "Medium" or "Coarse" - ~ $8 per bag

Top Soil/Composted Pine Bark


 

      Several brands can be found at home and garden centers. Fafard Soil Conditioner can be purchased at Stone Bros. & Byrd, located at 700 Washington, Durham, NC.
      Magestic Organic Soil Conditioner can be purchased at Lowe's and Home Depot.
 

Baked Clay

Baked clay products suitable for bonsai soil include:

  1. Turface brand - E & S Soil in Rocky Mount, NC 27803-8372, 1-800-942-0448
  2. Turface brand - John Deere Landscapes, 5121 Neal Rd Unit 603, Durham NC 27705 USA, 919-383-9297
  3. Diamond-Pro, available from Nivek, 7302 Cessna Drive, Greensboro, NC 27409 1-800-225-8061 - about $7.50 for a 50 pound bag.  
  4. Diamond-Pro, available from Atlantic Avenue and Garden Center, 5217 Atlantic Ave. Raleigh, NC 27616  (919) 878-8877  about $12.00 per 50 pound bag.
     
  5. Perma-til (a larger particle) Tru-Value Hardware Stores
  6. Haydite - Youkou Bonsai


 

      Thanks to Steve Giles for compiling this information!


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