Bonsai Soil Mixture Ratio

Prepare the bonsai soil mixture.

Bonsai soil mixture ratio. For a deciduous bonsai tree keep the ratio of granular clay and pumice to 9 1. What aggregate and what organic material becomes a matter of personal choice depending on the availability in each area. What aggregate and what organic material becomes a matter of personal choice and often considerable debate between bonsai people. For adding peat soil you can reduce the amount of clay and pumice to 5 2.

This looks a lot like the high fired akadama clay but it isn t. This component is ideal for mixing bonsai soil. Of course you can lower the amount of clay provided that peat soil is added for water retention. Some bonsai experts suggest the ratio of 3 1 which means 75 per cent inert aggregate rock of one kind or another and 25 percent organic materials.

It is often considered to be a mandatory component when creating your bonsai mix. A good general bonsai mixture should be composed of about 75 per cent inert aggregate and 25 per cent organic materials. We can however describe two main mixtures one for deciduous trees and one for coniferous trees. The best suggestion is to use materials that are available in the local area.

This is a hard fired clay and great at retaining water. For deciduous trees like elms and maples that mixture is slightly different with a 2 1 1 ratio. An example bonsai soil mix boon s mix from superfly bonsai. Different tree species demand different soil mixtures so make sure to check our tree species bonsai guide to find the optimum mixture for individual trees.

Fertilize the bonsai approximately three weeks after new spring growth begins until the start of fall. Use a balanced granular fertilizer such as a 20 20 20 blend on top of the soil re applying. Recommended bonsai soil mixtures. It should be essentially ph neutral that is neither wildly acidic nor basic.

What should the ph value of your bonsai soil mix be. Meaning 2 parts akadama 1 part lava rock and 1 part pumice. If there are any bonsai clubs in your area ask them for the best ratio of organic to inorganic components. The exact mix of bonsai soil is dependent on what type of tree species is being used.

As for an evergreen bonsai the quantity of granular clay and pumice is maintained at 7 3 ratio. Some people also recommend the ph of the soil mix must be like the plants native soil. For deciduous bonsai trees use 50 akadama 25 pumice and 25 lava rock. The only problem with this is it will break down in a few years.

That said here are guidelines for two types of soil one for deciduous trees and one for conifers.