bonsai soil

If I use bonsai soil, is it still necessary to put rocks in the bottom of the pot?

For the growing pots, I am looking for a cheaper alternative to akadama . Unfortunately, the smallest pine bark size I can find here is 5-15 mm. Can I use a mix of perlite, clay beads (3-8 mm), zeolite ( 3-5 mm 100 % Clinoptilolite) and coco peat instead of akadama? I will be using them with a...

I'm going to be starting to mix up some bonsai soil at home. I'm going to be using what I'm calling the Nigel Saunders mix, turface, pearlite and organic matter. I don't want to get into a discussion on what makes the best bonsai soil etc. I'm using this blend because the ingredients are withing...

Hello All— I was planning on buying a couple of large grow boxes for some trees to thicken trunks for 5 -10 years. What type of soil should I use? Regular well-draining bonsai soil fitting to the species? Or something more organic like one would find if you just planted the trees in the...

So this might be a weird question, but has anyone used mesh/screening over the tops of their bonsai soil? An azalea I purchased a couple years ago had something like that when I bought it, and it worked great for keeping critters out of the pot when I fertilized. It still allowed me to water the...

Hello everyone. I am unable to understand the science behind rotting roots, from what I understand it's usually that the roots die because of too much water (i. e. Lack of oxygen) and then fungal pathogens corrode away that root and it can spread into the healthier sections as well. I stay in a...

Greeting, everyone! I'll soon be shifting to a city that falls under USDA zone 12-13, the temps can go as high as 43°c in the summer months and the climate of the place is quite dry as it is away from the shoreline. My new house has a balcony which will receive morning sunlight till around 12...

Hello guys, just wanted to share a thought with you about bonsai soils. I'm a self taught "trying to be" a bonsai artist, so, please forgive my lack of knowledge. I consider Mr. Nigel Saunders from The Bonsai Zone youtube channel as my online guru and have learned a lot from watching his videos...

Hello to everyone. I manage to get somehow pine barks from mountain area through one of my friend. It was delivered yesterday. What can be possible utilization of pine barks in bonsai ? Your valuable comments will be appreciated.

Hi all, I have a question that I cant seem to find an answer to online or in my books. I live in zone 6b and I am just getting into conifers. I currently have a small white pine and a cypress. Im not trying to bind them yet or anything. I just want them to be happy and healthy for a year or...

I have posted about this maple this week. I collected it from the woods. I want to know peoples suggestions for soil once it stabilizes enough to be repotted. I don't know the specific species. I believe it is Acer Rubrum the Red Maple. Others have suggested the "Freeman" Maple hybrid and the...

So I screwed up estimating. I will be able to get the price down to $31 which is competitive with pumice or lava from pretty much anyone and it is a much better product. So vote on the poll or just answer here if you would pay $31.00 free shipping for a large flat rate box (approx 3.5...

I was just wondering if I could make my own soil with things I could buy at Lowe's or home depot? If any of you have seen my other post you know I plan on collecting some trees this spring and well I'm going to need a lot of soil for them and if I buy the pre mixed stuff it's going to get...

I am apparently several hours from a shop that sells akadama, pumice, or lava rock. And the majority of the local shops only sell potting soil, lekaculor (clay pebbles), and orchid mix. So this is the mix I have created - 1/2 potting soil/small lecakulor mix - 1/4 perlite - 1/4 orchid mix...

Hey folks, New to bonsainut (and forums in general) so bear with me please as I settle in :) I have a few bonsai I'd like to share, the first of which is quickly becoming a new favorite of mine - a Jade (portucalra afra) bonsai. I've made a few videos on some of the things I've done to her...

Hi everyone! Just wanted to introduce ourselves. We are a small business in Canada who recently launched an e-commerce business selling bonsai supplies online. We have a great selection of bonsai soil, tools, wire, figurines / mud men, pots and books. Would love your feedback on our products and...

I don't know if anyone else has had tar form on the top of the Bonsai soil. A couple of months ago I re- potted a few of my trees. I make my own soil/mixture. I use Akadama, crushed lava, Pumice, fine gravel , composted bark, and chicken granite. Now a few of my trees have developed watery tar...