Soil For Bonsai Trees In Pots

A large part of the art of bonsai is the experience of a tree that has become detached from its ground and now lives in a pot.

Soil for bonsai trees in pots. Bonsai soil and bonsai pots. It does not become a bonsai until these two are combined and form a harmony together. The most common components for bonsai soil mixtures are akadama pumice lava rock organic potting compost and fine gravel grit. Ideal bonsai soil should be ph neutral neither acidic nor basic.

From left to right. While the needs of individual species vary greatly a good rule of thumb is 30 grit 70 humus for deciduous trees and 70 grit 30 humus for evergreen needled plants but these are just general guidelines. Good container soil retains adequate levels of water without becoming waterlogged. We re done with step 1 let s move on.

The soil mixture determines how often bonsai needs watering. Mostly a mixture of lava rock pumice and gravel work fine. Cultivating plants in shallow pots is more difficult still and cultivating very old plants in very small volumes of soil is really pushing it to the edge. After about two years akadama begins to break down which reduces aeration.

Soils supplies and pots by john cole. A bonsai pot is a very challenging environment in which to grow a tree indeed it s one of the most challenging things to achieve in horticulture. The soil should maintain sufficient aeration and drainage while retaining suitable amounts of moisture. Akadama is hard baked japanese clay specifically produced for bonsai purposes and available at all online bonsai shops.

Do not use soil directly from the garden or surrounding landscape. We have tropical deciduous and conifer bonsai trees. Soil is more than just digging up a clump of dirt in the yard and putting it into a pot and saying. What is bonsai soil made up of.

Using a mixture with water retentive components such as compost or akadama is good for those who are too busy to water regularly. Therefore anything should work. Organic potting compost akadama pumice and lava rock. A tree is a tree a pot is only a pot.

That s the most important aspect to bonsai and often we disregard it because we perceive a tree as a tree and soil is soil. Effect of soil mixture on watering. A ph between 6 5 7 5 is ideal. Many varieties of pre bonsai tree in nursery pots as well.

Akadama is a hard baked japanese clay that is available online. It is where half your tree lives so this is our second biggest consideration in maintaining your bonsai.