I just saw Southwest Gardens post they have 40lb bags of pumice in stock (not sure of the particle size). You can also find red lava rock at Echters; though, it is probably more economical to order online where you'll get a more uniform particle size in larger quantities. Reptile stores also sell bags of fir bark. And Fantasy Orchid in Louisville may have bags of smaller bark used for orchid seedlings. No dice on akadama locally though...

I can attest to a rain barrel. You'd be surprised at how much rain you can collect here. A good couple hour rain will fill up a 60 gallon vessel no problem. I haven't had to use city water this year for my trees, and only have one rain barrel.

I think the key to growing moss on the front range is to find moss at our elevation. I tried collecting mountain moss, and it hasn't taken, but I found a patch of moss at park near my house (literally 100 yards away) which has taken hold and started to grow using the Mirai method.

Thanks for the replies! The trunk diameter is pretty much where I want it. So, based on what you are saying, my plan is to prune and set the primary structure this fall once, and put it in a pot next spring. I have done a little post-flush pruning back to some new buds to promote some back budding and ramification, but will do some larger work once it is cooler.

(Hope it is okay to revive this thread) I have a few possible areas I can heal in: (1) a long my eastern facing porch where there is a strip we have annuals growing -- basically just below where they've grown all summer on the ledge of the porch. (2) a planter facing east, but behind a Honey Locust, so it gets a bit more shade than option 1. (3) I can nestle them between a raised garden bed, a barrel of hops, and a fence in my backyard -- that would technically be south facing, but the hops barrel could block some southern sun, but this would probably offer the most wind protection.