Next size up is 'GROWER' (turkey) grit. I've never had anything other than the very small amounts of dust/fines you'd expect from a pre-screened product, and usually it's so fine that it just washes right out of the bottom of the container at the first very heavy watering following the repot/planting. IOW, I am pretty particular about soils, especially the bonsai soils, and I've never felt the need to screen it. Unless you got an 'odd' bag of product, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Al

Thanks Al, I won't worry about the dust then. Are you using the "Grower"? Is the "Starter" okay or should I call them to see if they stock one of the larger items?

Tom

I use both- either is ok, but I tend to use grower grit more often - at the rate of about 5 bags grower:1 bag starter. It's prolly more important to screen the Turface and bark than the grit, if you're worried about the fines content. The starter grit will promote a little more water retention by virtue of its smaller size, but if you're worried about excess water, just add a wick until the soil mass is colonized by roots & then remove.

Al

Thanks Al, I'll see if they have the Grower and if I can exchange the other bag I have for it...this way I can compare them both in my environment.

I was gathering the ingredients for Al's mix too and found that the grit at our feed store had salt, mineral oil and a few other undesireable ingredients. So, it was off to my favorite landscape supply for "decomposed granite"; then sifted the fines out through a large scrap of shade cloth.

My question for Al is how watering has taken on a whole new dimension with this mix. Weight of pot no longer determines dryness, and the (my?) mix is too coarse to stick a finger in for an inch or so...please give hints and tips for watering with your mix!

Thanks,
Barbara

Fer established plantings, you can use a dowel, sharpened in a pencil sharpener, pushed into the soil to test for dampness. If it comes out cool/damp, no need to water. Also - if the container is small enough - test for dampness at the drain hole - if it is damp there, withhold water. Similarly, a wick inserted in the drain hole that shows it's damp indicates no need for watering.

For recently planted containers, you may need to water a little more frequently at first (until the entire soil mass is colonized by roots) to make sure the upper portion of the soil remains moist enough to keep roots viable & growing.

Al