Homemade Bonsai Soil Mix

When used in a bonsai soil mix it helps to retain water and it aids the roots to ramify very well.

Homemade bonsai soil mix. Akadama can be easily obtained online for a relatively low price. It has several disadvantages it retains much water and doesn t aerate drain very well but as part of a mixture it can be used perfectly well. Lava rock retains water and adds good structure when part of a bonsai substrate. First sift using the largest screen and keep the material that doesn t fall through the screen into one pile or bucket.

Peat moss humus is what retains the most water and therefore should be used sparingly. The trees moss and miniature plants found in bonsai require specific care including the correct soil mix. Organic potting compost includes peat moss perlite and sand. Soil that drains too quickly or retains too much moisture causes damage to the sensitive.

This material is really used. So i mixed my own using two parts volcanic rock to one part potting soil. There is ready made bonsai soil but ken at adachi nursery one of the remaining japanese owned nurseries in the bay area persuaded me that my plants deserved better. But it s worth the effort.

The recipe for bonsai soil mix includes 1 part lava rock 1 part pumice 1 part akadama 1 2 cup horticultural charcoal per 5 gallon mix and 1 2 cup decomposed granite per 5 gallon mix. The mix is 50 lava 25 turface and 25 fafard. Roots can t grow into lava rock. Charcoal charcoal is traditionally used as a soil additive because it increases the drainage of the soil and helps fight bad bacteria.

Making one s own bonsai potting mixture is a process. Preparing bonsai soil at home gather the required supplies. A good bonsai mixture promotes the growth of fine feeder roots. This is my secret method don t tell anyone shhhhhh.

While allowing excess water to drain. Potting soil will add bulk to. Well deciding the components for adding in bonsai soil is the trickiest part. I use red lava scoria calcined clay turface brand and pine bark fafard organic soil conditioner.

It involves four ingredients. After you have kept the organic inorganic and potting soil ready the next step. To go into further detail. Conifer bark as a soil conditioner can add bulk to the mix and can retain moisture.

Bonsai soil mix explained by mr. Now use the medium screen and again sift the material that went through the largest screen keep the material. Peat clay two kinds of fuji sand and volcanic soil. Decide the ratio of soil components.

I ll tell you why later.