What Soil To Plant Bonsai In

Bonsai trees should be planted in soils specifically formulated for use with conifers or bonsai plants which will ensure the soil has a texture and nutrient value appropriate for these types of trees.

What soil to plant bonsai in. For conifers use 33 akadama 33 pumice and 33 lava rock. Inorganic bonsai soils are made entirely of inert grit and akadama substitutes. Whereas inorganic oil comprises pumice volcanic soil sold as kanuma fired clay soil and granular clay sold as akadama and turface. Bonsai trees like other plants grown in containers need to be regularly re potted.

The exact mix of bonsai soil is dependent on what type of tree species is being used. Re potting keeps the tree healthy by replenishing the nutrients in the soil regulating root growth and keeping the soil from getting too compacted. Use tweezers to push the soil in and to create airspace between the roots. It s important to know moss can hold a substantial amount of water and without proper drainage it can hold onto a large amount of water for a long time.

The soil should finish just below the rim of the pot. A good bonsai soil needs to retain water well without drowning the roots. Decomposing plant matter is added as feed. Soil most bonsai soil mixes are a combination of akadama hard baked clay pumice lava rock and soil.

Therefore the gist is a soil works fine as long as it provides excellent aeration and drainage. Run coarse soil through a sieve. The most common components for bonsai soil mixtures are akadama pumice lava rock organic potting compost and fine gravel grit. In addition potting soil is used in the bonsai soil mix.

There are endless combinations and you ll have to experiment to figure out which works best for you. When organic components are used grit makes up 40 to 50 percent of bonsai soil and fired clay or pumice around 25. The soil must itself contribute only limited nutrients to the plant to allow the bonsai artist to control the application when quantity and type of nutrients that the tree will receive. As the terms indicate organic soil particles include bark peat leaf litter and plant parts.

For deciduous bonsai trees use 50 akadama 25 pumice and 25 lava rock. Akadama is hard baked japanese clay specifically produced for bonsai purposes and available at all online bonsai shops. Organic potting compost akadama pumice and lava rock. Can i use regular garden soil.

It needs to be sifted before use. Fill the pot to about four fifths full. Learning how to re pot bonsai trees will provide you with an essential skill when undertaking bonsai as a hobby. Mix this with finer soil and river sand.

From left to right. Decide the ratio of soil components.