Soil Type for Young Japanese Maples?

[QuantumSparky]

I have a few very young Japanese Maple seedlings that are just starting out (3-6") and want to know what type of soil is best for them. I want to plant half and grow half in containers to get a feel for the difference in maturation. For the container trees, what soil type should I use, and for how long?

 

[ChristianDGreat]

I live in delano which is very hot, July - Sept (100-110 degrees)
For matured Maples I use Akadama and Kiryu only and have no issues

For developing ones like a seedling and stock that i want to grow the trunk.
I have a huge success with, Lava Rock, Coco Coir, Charcoal combo.

But If I have more space in my backyard I would just put it in the ground (below a big tree for shade)

Thanks
Chris

 

[Shibui]

Everybody has their own favorite soil mix and they all seem to work which suggests that either maples are not fussy or people can adapt their care to match these very different soils.
Personally I use the same mix of pine bark and coarse sand balanced with iron and pH adjusted for all my trees whether in bonsai pots or grow pots and they do well in a hot, dry climate.
In the past I have been happy with a commercial mix aimed at larger containers which consisted of largish pine bark and coarse sand.
For larger containers it does not seem to matter what soil mix is used. The smaller the containers the more critical the correct mix becomes.

It may help to know what sized containers you plan to use and what soil options you have available

 

[Gary McCarthy]

Both Ryan and Bjorn recommend a 70% organic 30% inorganic mix for nursery stock deciduous. Mother Earth makes a 70% coco coir 30% perlite mix that I like - https://www.amazon.com/Mother-Earth...cphy=9005502&hvtargid=pla-1600304357926&psc=1

You can find it at a local hydroponic store.

 

[Dav4]

For growing out young maples in nursery cans, I'll use almost anything I have available... from bagged pro-mix potting soil to used bonsai soil- turface based soil works quite well - with bark mulch mixed in. Once they begin more targeted training of the roots, they get moved into flatter containers and I'll be more likely to use mostly aggregate soil components.

 

[QuantumSparky]

Everybody has their own favorite soil mix and they all seem to work which suggests that either maples are not fussy or people can adapt their care to match these very different soils.
Personally I use the same mix of pine bark and coarse sand balanced with iron and pH adjusted for all my trees whether in bonsai pots or grow pots and they do well in a hot, dry climate.
In the past I have been happy with a commercial mix aimed at larger containers which consisted of largish pine bark and coarse sand.
For larger containers it does not seem to matter what soil mix is used. The smaller the containers the more critical the correct mix becomes.

It may help to know what sized containers you plan to use and what soil options you have available

Thanks for the advice! They're all tiny as of now so I'm only planning on repotting them into 6-8" clay pots to get them into something sturdy (I bought them on FB Marketplace and the seller just has them in those tiny square plastic "pots" that look more like growing tray inserts). I have access to a Home Depot and I'm willing to purchase soil blends from Bonsai Jack if needed

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I use potting soil or coco coir for maples and cherries (my only deciduous not in bonsai soil). And it seems to work pretty well.

 

[Tak]

For growing out young maples in nursery cans, I'll use almost anything I have available... from bagged pro-mix potting soil to used bonsai soil- turface based soil works quite well - with bark mulch mixed in. Once they begin more targeted training of the roots, they get moved into flatter containers and I'll be more likely to use mostly aggregate soil components.

Kind of resurrecting an old thread but I wondered what your turface soil recipe looked like. I concocted a mix at about 40% turface 30% coco choir and 30% half part perlite and pine bark. To pot in my air layers. Thoughts?

 

[Dav4]

Kind of resurrecting an old thread but I wondered what your turface soil recipe looked like. I concocted a mix at about 40% turface 30% coco choir and 30% half part perlite and pine bark. To pot in my air layers. Thoughts?

As I mentioned above, I really didn't have a specific mix. Way, way back... pre-akadama back... it made up a third of my mix and was added to equal parts lava and pumice, and this was my primary bonsai soil. For growing out maples, the mix is going to have lots of organics like pine bark. Your mix should be fine and drain well. However, n arid climates, it may dry out quickly, and I have no idea where you live, and specific climates may require tweaking the mix. I've honestly never used either perlite or coconut coir in any of my mixes so I can't comment on them.

 

[Tak]

As I mentioned above, I really didn't have a specific mix. Way, way back... pre-akadama back... it made up a third of my mix and was added to equal parts lava and pumice, and this was my primary bonsai soil. For growing out maples, the mix is going to have lots of organics like pine bark. Your mix should be fine and drain well. However, n arid climates, it may dry out quickly, and I have no idea where you live, and specific climates may require tweaking the mix. I've honestly never used either perlite or coconut coir in any of my mixes so I can't comment on them.

Any recommendations on how to make it more arid tolerant? My understanding is that lava and pumice wouldn't help so just more organics? Or akadama I suppose but I am saving that for the more mature trees.

 

[Dav4]

Any recommendations on how to make it more arid tolerant? My understanding is that lava and pumice wouldn't help so just more organics? Or akadama I suppose but I am saving that for the more mature trees.

More organics, for sure. Again, I'm not familiar with coconut coir but would think it would be similar to pine bark mulch in its water holding properties.

 

[Tak]

More organics, for sure. Again, I'm not familiar with coconut coir but would think it would be similar to pine bark mulch in its water holding properties.

Yes it doesn't get water logged or loose it's structure but it absorbs a fair amount of water and maintains good aeration for an organic particle.

I've had good results using it with only perlite and some pine bark but I wanted something that held more water than perlite and was heavier for the pond baskets which is why I replaced most of the perlite with turface.