A little repotting

Hey, I just repotted 2 of my trees, that I keep inside.
They seemed healthy, but I didnt like the soil they were in. Its a buxus and a Sageretia. ( Can't remember if that was the right name)
I bought 4 trees and 2 of them died. All the trees I have bought were in this dirt-clay mix. And if the soil dried out a bit, the clay would get hard and kill roots. It has happened that I have forgot to water them in a few extra days, and they would lose some leaves. So, I was afraid it wasnt going the right way, though the trees are growing.
So I was at Coop and bought some bags of cat-sand. Which I have heard that people think are nice.
Well, now im not certain it was a good idea after all. The Sageretia soil was rubbish. But I removed it all and used 100% of the "sand". It was 1-3mm if I remember correctly.
I actually forgot that most people like to swap out a little soil at a time.
If Im watching them close, and watering enough, and fertilizing now and then, do you think they will get fine?

I kinda get fixed on an idea and just have to go with it.

i am not english but do i read right that you have planted your trees in cat-sand
The stuff my cat pees in?

Thats right. It has a size of 1-3 mm, good for growing, I think. It isnt the type that clumps, nor has any smell. Just plain gravel, really. I had a tree in only sand once, and it actually lived. Hehe. Just make sure it gets fertilizers now and then so it has something to grow on.

Sand ok. i have trees on that,....... catgrid.

Keep us posted, never heard anyone using that i'd suppose it holds water and drainage would be average.
I know that in time it gets sticky and dense (and for my part smelly, cats.........) drainage will get a problem in time.

I wouldn't put my trees in, that's for sure!

I am sorry can you place some pictures?

Visit Harry Harrington at http://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicscatlitter.htm

This is good stuff.

Thank you for the link, Ive read it earlier, but thats a long time ago now.
Well, This thing doesnt get sticky, because you buy the type that doesnt ..stick together.
I would assume this is a good thing. But I was mostly afraid of the time of year to repot my trees, and that I changed all of the soil at once.

well i didn't know that!

G'day Storm...

When to repot and to swap out "all" of the soil, or not...do not have a single answer that is best for all plants. You need to find out what is best for each individual species that you are working with.

Check out the following two web sites...both address the needs of numerous species, and might include the information you need.

http://www.bonsai4me.com/SpeciesGuide/SpeciesIntro.html and,
http://www.bonsai-bci.com/species/indexgen.html

Have at it...and enjoy...

Pat…mounted on my trusted stead, riding off wildly in all directions…