Why bonsai soil

Bonsai soil is an easy term for a matrix that is the support structure that contains the material that contains the water that contains the nutrients for your bonsai tree. Think of it this way — your bonsai is a miniature tree. The roots are the structure through which it takes nutrients into the tree. Roots require oxygen to grow. Oxygen moves through air faster than it does through water. The water that drains out is replaced by air. What It Needs To Be. So we must consider a different type of soil for bonsai trees.

Instead, a mix of substrates like crushed lava rock are used which more closely resembles gravel than soil. This type of mix provides an environment where the tree can more easily grow feeder roots that it needs to thrive.

To provide those requirements, we need bonsai soil that has these properties:. The roots of a bonsai need oxygen. A loose bonsai soil that has room for fresh air to permeate between the particles provides proper aeration for the root system. Think of a bonsai tree planted in garden soil in a small container. When you water it, that water will remain in the soil for several days, or even a week. Starving your tree of oxygen will weaken the tree.

As much as we need good drainage, we also need some water to remain. If we used actual gravel as the substrate, water would flow directly through the pot and out the drainage holes leaving no water behind for the roots to utilize. Because of this, we need to include some type of material in our bonsai soil mix that retains some water.

A clay-like material called Akadama , which originates in Japan, is commonly used to achieve the proper water retention in bonsai soil. These types of soil harden easily when it gets dry, which is very harmful to the growth of Bonsai trees and makes proper Watering very difficult. Soil mixes are described as being either organic or inorganic.

Dead plant matters such as peat, leaf-litter, or bark are described as being organic soil components. The potential problem with organic soil components is that organic matter breaks down and reduces drainage over time. Most potting composts absorb water very poorly once they are completely dry.

This is one of the biggest problems for cheap indoor Bonsai trees purchased at garden centers. They absorb fewer nutrients and water than organic soils but are great for drainage and aeration. The limited absorption capacity also gives us more control over the amount of fertilizer in the soil. We have never seen a quality composted bark on general sale in garden centres or DIY stores in any UK outlet.

This will have a pH of around 5 and when mixed with other products should help to buffer the pH, especially if you have hard water. Chipped bark should have little fines dust and offers a high AFP air filled porosity. It will have very little inherent nutrient and poor nutrient-holding capacity, but holds moisture well, provides a warm airy rhizosphere and a nice springy soil mix that will help to bring your bonsai through a hard freezing winter.

Bark also seems very good at encouraging mycorrhiza to flourish. Top quality bark provides the perfect medium for propagation of cuttings. The highest quality chipped bark products are made for orchid cultivation however these are normally too coarse for use in bonsai pots.

Top quality orchid bark looks like you should pour milk over it and eat it for breakfast! To see our top quality Chipped Bark click here. Pumice is created when super-heated, highly pressurized rock is violently ejected from a volcano.

The unusual foamy configuration of pumice happens because of simultaneous rapid cooling and rapid depressurization. Different forms of pumice are available in many areas of the world. There are as many different forms of pumice as there are places to find it.

Pumice is used in a plethora of industrial applications from an abrasive in toothpaste to the aggregate in lightweight concrete. Pumice has been a staple of horticultural pot cultivation seemingly forever. Horticultural pumice, or pomice, is not the same as pumice used for industrial and commercial purposes. A lighter weight soft pumice will have a more open honeycomb structure that plant roots seem to adore.

Having used pumice for 25 years we have found the perfect grade that we know works wonders with most commonly cultivated species used for bonsai. Pumice is also excellent for encouraging the growth of mycorrhiza. Our horticultural pumice is light in weight, has a massive capacity to retain water and provides a fantastic AFP ratio.

In practice pumice generally produces best results when mixed with other bark and clay based growing media. Very fine grade pumice mm , should be avoided because it has a tendency to become waterlogged. Pumice Fine Grain Horticultural Media mm. Pumice Medium Size Horticultural Media mm. Pumice Coarse Growing Medium mm. S-Te is a fired clay product also branded as Kyodama. Carefully graded, consistent particle uniformity. Almost entirely dust free when packaged.

The ultimate alterantive to horticultural grit. This is an ultra light weight fired clay product with an amazing honeycomb structure. Mixed with other growing media Supalite Black holds soil open, promotes drainage, increases air capacity and dramatically reduces overall weight. Frost-proof, it resists breaking down for many years and can be used over and over. Typically just g weight per litre. Mix Supalite Black with other growing mediums such as bark or clay-based products to dramatically increase the AFP of soils and reduce weight.

Neutral pH. Supalite Fine is a light weight fired clay aggregate that's great for mixing with other bonsai soil ingredients. The open honeycomb structure of this product holds great amounts of water, promotes exceptional air circulation and lots of microbial activity that quickly releases the nutrients from organic fertilizers. The particles are frost proof and so will not break down, even after many years in the pot. This is the same product as Supalite Black but graded up to mm. We recommend using this great product in conjunction with other growing media.

By blending different products together it's possible to create soil mixes very close to the ideal conditions for individual plants. It also reduced the weight of the soil considerably. Lapillo is formed during violent volcanic eruptions and is the term used for small particles mm that explode into the atmosphere and cool on their descent back to earth.

This violent formation creates a fine honeycomb structure, which is perfect for cultivating plants. Our Lapillo has a very attractive maroon red through grey colour and is graded for particle size, perfect for use in bonsai pots.

Lapillo has high levels of iron, magnesium and other minerals vital to plant health. Has a similar structure to Japanese Fuji grit. We recommend using Lapillo in conjunction with other bonsai soil products like Akadama , Bark and Moler.

The very attractive colour is also great for top dressing. During processing and packaging Lapillo develops a fine dust that adheres to each particle. This need not be washed prior to use, simply mix Lapillo into your soil mix straight from the bag.

After re-potting, water your tree thoroughly until the water draining from the pot is clear. A fantastic product, that is produced from natural deposits with a minimum of processing and transportation. Known by many different brand names including Biosorb and Terramol, Moler is a fired-clay product produced from naturally occurring montmorillonite that has formed from ancient algae deposits.

It is calcined to produce a spectacularly porous light-weight granular material that is perfect for adding to plant growing media. When carefully graded it provides a good AFP ratio. Frost-proof to at least Celsius. Moler is a quite acidic medium pH5. Moler changes colour quite dramatically when wet and this is very helpful to decide when watering is required.

Moler has a pale orange colour that is less than ideal but the colour fades in time leaving a more natural appearance. When mixed with other products this is of little consequence. Moler is very cheap and light-weight and should be considered a very valuable component in most bonsai soils.

It also makes a very good addition to orchid growing soils and is perfect for hydroponics. Natural zeolites form where volcanic rocks and ash layers react with alkaline groundwater. Zeolites also attract plant nutrient molecules and hold them loosely which prevents leaching and also allows a plant to absorb them easily. It will absorb harmful substances and promote a consistent nutrient rich rhizosphere. Long term, plants will require less fertiliser and produce stronger more consistent growth.

Our zeolite has an appearance similar to Japanese Akadama. However it is significantly more absorbent and being much harder will not break down even after many years in the pot.

As the supply of Akadama becomes increasingly contentious and the cost rises it will be replaced by zeolites. Being a naturally occuring mineral our zeolite is approved for use in organic production and is entirely safe to the environment including ground waters. Our zeolite has a beautiful light brown colour. The average pH of our product is between Our zeolite also contains varying percentages of potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus.

Various types of charcoal have long been a popular addition to soil mixes used for bonsai trees. However not all charcoal is of use in this context and some products have such poor environmental production methods they should really be avoided by the consientious grower.

The use of Biochar is becoming increasingly popular in many specialist horticultural disciplines and it's benefits are increaingly well documented. Use Green Dream Bonsai Biochar to improve your growing media. Horticultural charcoal has many benefits for plants of all types. Improves moisture retention whilst allowing good drainage. Also retains significant nutrient from fertilisers and promotes beneficial fungal and microbial activity which improves growth, health and pest resistance.

Light weight, frost proof and will not decay or break down. Over the years Graham has studied horticulture professionally and has been experimenting relentlessly with different growing mediums. This has involved careful observation of thousands of bonsai trees, seedlings, cuttings and collected material.

Having used every available product in endless combinations with most plants cultivated as bonsai, Graham has a deep, broad and intimate understanding of exactly how things work. Prior to we began looking into the possibility of offering ready-to-use blended soils for bonsai that would take the guess work out of which soil to use in any given situation.

Launched in our blended soils have been a massive success. Customer feedback has been universally positive. Over the years we have continued to refine our formulas to give excellent results in infinately variable circumstances. Our blended soil mixes are offered on the basis of their moisture retention and drainage capacity with No1 being the most moisture retentive with the finest particle structure and No3 having the best drainage and coarsest structure.

A special mix is also available for Shohin bonsai that offer unique challenges with their diminutive pots. Our soil mixes are carefully prepared in-house, with top-quality materials largely sourced from U. K manufacturers. This ensures the very best quality control, less transportation costs, no import tax and so a cheaper price to our customers. Our soil mixes have become the most popular products of their type in UK bonsai and we sell dozens of tons every year.

Some coustomers buy our mixes by the pallet! This fine particle mix is designed for trees that need lots of water in summer. Highly absorbent, No1 has the highest AFP of any fine-grained bonsai soil mix. It is designed with a very high CEC to keep bonsai trees healthy by getting the very best from the fertilizers you use. Used straight from the bag No1 is the perfect mix for broad leaf trees that take up a lot of moisture in the summer and will help to increase the time required between watering.

The fine grain particle size helps to alleviate surface evaporation and will also encourage the formation of a dense fine root structure. In winter very shallow bonsai pots can become a little too wet so we would recommend overhead protection from continuous rain. Rich in minerals, but with little inherent nutrient, so you have control over the growth of your bonsai via the fertilizer you use. We highly recommend the use of Green Dream Bonsai Fertilizers. Kaizen Bonsai No1 mix is particularly, but not exclusively, suited to bonsai pots from 6" and upwards and the following commonly cultivated bonsai species….

Most broad leaved deciduous trees and moisture loving varieties including This medium particle mix is designed for trees that need consistent water supply in summer but also need lots of air in their soil. Highly absorbent, No2 has the highest AFP of any medium grained bonsai soil mix. Used straight from the bag No2 is the perfect mix for broad leaf trees and conifers that take up a lot of moisture in the summer and will help to increase the time required between watering.

The very high AFP ratio will encourage the formation of a dense fine root structure and very strong top growth in all species. As with all our soil mixes it is completely frost-proof so no winter protection is required. Rich in minerals but with little inherent nutrient so you have control over the growth of your bonsai via the fertilizer you use. Kaizen Bonsai No2 mix is particularly, but not exclusively, suited to bonsai pots from 12" and above and the following commonly cultivated bonsai species….

Japanese maples, Soft foliage junipers such as itoigawa, kyshu and shimpaku, Trident maples, most varieties of oak, Ulmus species including Chinese elm, Hawthorn species, Picea spruce , Satsuki azaleas, Erica species, Malus crab apple , Ligustrum privet , Carpinus hornbeam , Mirtus species myrtle , Camellia and stewartia, Larch, Prunus species, Pomegranate, Forsythia, Cotoneaster, Pyracantha, Ficus and most tender tropical species.

This bonsai growing media is absolutely unique and unlike anything you will have seen before. Coarse grain size from mm mesh size. Offers unprecedented capacity for growth and health. A no compromise product for those who demand the very best and expect nothing less than spectacular results.

Be prepared to have everything you ever learned about bonsai soil challenged. A blend of carefully graded high performance coarse aggregates and hand graded pine bark offering unparalleled performance.