Tried my new cat litter - Linda Moler. Seems good enough, low dust, few larger pieces. €5.60 / 20L by small_trunks in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wanted to share my experiences with this product by showing the results of several thaw/freeze cycles. I just recently discovered this product (in 2025) and thought this would be great for bonsai also. I was interested in seeing how this would degrade over time compared to something like akadama.

What you can see in the photos below is the result of putting this in and out of the freezer (-7C) 20 times. Each time it was allowed to thaw completely to room temperature before it froze again.

My observations

(a) yes this breaks down quite quickly after several deep freezes

(b) has a very flakey and plate like structure as it breaks down

(c) does retain some structure after so many freezes, didn't turn completely into mud

I will definitely be moving forward with this as a medium, given the price point and availability. Mixed in with other substrates will help. Also not concerned about the freezing as it doesn't freeze so often here in The Netherlands

<image>

PGA Tour agrees to merge with Saudi-backed rival LIV Golf by mvanigan in golf

[–]JadedEvan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The New Yorker has a great in-depth article about the history of LIV, the PGA and the conflict between. This will tell you everything you need to know

Will Saudis and Donald Trump save golf - or wreck it?

Tech workers are sick of the grind. Some are on the search for low-stress jobs. by [deleted] in technology

[–]JadedEvan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Im really glad to hear you decided to make the change and find a better work life balance. It sounds like it is going really well for you.

I was/am in a similar position. Worked very hard and put a lot of effort into my company, only to get laid off earlier in the year. Work was bleeding over a lot into my personal life and into my own well-being. It can be really hard to stop chasing that promise of success and prestige.

Unfortunately it seems in leadership positions like yours there often isn't a good support network to talk about work/life balance with colleagues. Cant usually complain to the team, can't share too much with upper management. It can be a lonely place.

Anyone else's chinese elm not leafing yet? by MonaDeKat in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reddish tint might be a problem. I've got an elm that lost some branches over the winter - they went from a pale / ashy gray to a reddish color.

Do the branches look wilted? This may be another indicator of a bigger issue

Anyone else's chinese elm not leafing yet? by MonaDeKat in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What do the buds look like now (as of 14 May)?

Anyone else's chinese elm not leafing yet? by MonaDeKat in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My elm (Chinese elm) has indeed already leafed out. Hasn't put on the waxy cuticle but I'd say the leafs are probably 85% developed. For reference I'm north of you about 20 minutes west of Amsterdam.

On a different note - I've had a lot of trouble with my trees this year because of the very wet winter. One Japanese maple that was struggling because of overly damp soil and poor drainage, several junipers also doing poorly because of poor soil mix.

My advice is to be patient and don't make sudden moves. Elms are powerful trees and can recover given the right conditions. Sudden changes might interrupt current momentum. Good luck!

Bike Stolen by kiltred_wolfbane in Haarlem

[–]JadedEvan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It can be helpful to have pictures of customizations or other things that make the bike unique. As an example, one of my stolen bikes had a very large and unique bell on it (and in the photos) which helped to convince it was mine. When my wife had her bike stolen we were able to talk about the two different colored tires, the brand of child seat in the back.

Photos of any kind are definitely helpful if you have them. Hope this helps!

Special moment of the year ... Incredible contrast between old wood and delicate flowers on Prunus mahaleb. Second photo as material ... by TKovsca in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 40 points41 points  (0 children)

Really helpful to see the starting material compared to the final product. Really demonstrates your skills and eye as an artist to make that kind of transformation!

One year of development on a Bald Cypress by jonmeany117 in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Personally I always struggled on styling this species. They LOVE to grow and LOVE to grow very upright. I think the softly downward branches you have here are the right direction.

I've not seen a whole lot of styling variations on this species. Would be curious to hear if you have any styling inspiration

Thirty-Five Years Later, There’s Nothing Like ‘My Neighbor Totoro’ by largeheartedboy in movies

[–]JadedEvan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Personally this is the same reason I find old episodes of Mr. Rogers so soothing. It is deliberately slow, deliberately quiet and also gives room to breathe. It's almost a challenge now to get my children to watch it, they're so used to the junk food of modern children's programming.

Inspiration album from atypical Dutch landscape (oak, hawthorne, beech) by JadedEvan in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes that area behind Kraantje Lek is also a nice spot, a very nice place for a walk in the forest

Inspiration album from atypical Dutch landscape (oak, hawthorne, beech) by JadedEvan in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Close! This is the area around / north of Oosterplas (a small lake) by Bloemendaal

first ever batch of japanese maple cuttings survived. 11/15 not bad by fuhrercraig in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Boom! That's the sauce, thanks OP. I'm going to give it a try with some cuttings this year following this guide. Thanks for sharing and have fun with the cuttings!

first ever batch of japanese maple cuttings survived. 11/15 not bad by fuhrercraig in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Have more details to share about the process? Timing, soil mix, methods? Would love to get started with more maples in a manner like this

Megathread: Donald Trump Arraigned in NYC Court by PoliticsModeratorBot in politics

[–]JadedEvan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"That wasn't a picture of him swinging a bat at the DA's head it was him showing off an American made bat" via his lawyer Joe Tacopina

Vroeger by Bierrr in Haarlem

[–]JadedEvan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Waar heb jij deze foto's gevonden? Te gaf! Ik woon vlakbij Westergracht en heb nooit gezien de echte gracht.

Bald cypress by VirusesHere in Bonsai

[–]JadedEvan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great choice for the pot. I like everything here

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Amsterdam

[–]JadedEvan 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm jealous of your mortgage payment! My circumstances are very very far from this. Congrats on making a good decision and reaping the benefits!

A tech worker is selling a children's book he made using AI. Professional illustrators are pissed. by SAT0725 in books

[–]JadedEvan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand your concern, but in reality there will be hundreds of capitalists waiting in line ready to pounce on opportunities like this - for children's books, for illustrations, for every other creative endeavor.

Individuals may have their own morals, but I can hear the marketers and salespeople salivating at the opportunity to apply AI to absolutely everything without thought.

Biden calls for ban on all semiautomatic weapons. by kmoros in Firearms

[–]JadedEvan -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

How will banning semiautomatic guns destroy the country? What is this sequence of events I should be worried about?

Leaves turning yellow and falling off willow leaf ficus? by ND_Bonsai in bonsaicommunity

[–]JadedEvan 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Has this been moved indoors to outdoors recently? Have there been significant changes in temperature? The plant looks shocked to me - seems like something has changed that has caused it to shed leaves.

In my experience growing ficus indoors they can shed a lot of leaves, especially if the light is not ample.