Bonsai Soil Unearthed Growing Better Trees From The Roots Up.
- Paul Kellum
- Dec 8, 2015
- 3 min read
So it’s that time of year again! Time to start getting a plan ready for spring and with that “repotting season.” I know there is a saying that if you ask 10 people you will get 10 different answers about what is bonsai soil. I just know what I was taught (as I started out knowing nothing). I think it’s important to understand bonsai did not start in the USA. So if 10 Americans all have 10 different answers, then who cares if the rebellious kids try to figure things out on their own. I use the word kids because we are young in the bonsai game in comparison to the Japanese.
In Japan there are not 10 different answers there are basic components and everyone uses them. If your tree needs drier soil, then you add more pumice. And if it needs more moisture, then you increase akadama.
I am happy to announce we now sell all of the components here on bonsaibardo.com to make great bonsai soil – and if you aren’t ready to manage the process of finding the perfect blend, you can trust us to with our premixed soil. We have Boon’s Bonsai Mix Blend, Clay King (premixed soil imported from Japan), Pumice, Lava, and Charcoal. All of our Bonsai mixes and components are 100% non-organic.
We take the work out of it with ready to go premixed soil. Boon’s recipe has become quite famous, but the components can sometimes be hard to source. So three years after learning about this blend and dealing with the pains myself of sourcing, we now are bringing tons into Raleigh, N.C. where locals can get the benefit of no shipping costs.
My goal is to provide the basic things necessary to have our trees thrive. I don’t want to go to bonsai club meetings in the area and see potting mix or people confused about what works and what doesn’t. This blend works 100% of the time proven time and time again.
One Mixing Goal Is:
30% Pumice 30% Akadama 30% Lava 8% Granite 2% Charcoal
(Not my mix, obviously, I started all of this knowing nothing. Boon showed us the difference in trees just living and trees thriving in good soil.)
We use smaller soil as a topcoat, and this is usually 1/4" to 1/2" deep so that the soil doesn't dry out too fast. Alternatively, we can use screened sphagnum moss to help retain moisture, allowing feeder roots to grow to the top of the soil level.
As a note, I don't add pumice and lava to the topcoat soil; I leave it higher in akadama as I am using it to retain moisture as a topcoat.
I do play around with my mixes a little in ratio. Right now, we offer a conifer blend that retains a little less water and a deciduous blend that holds a small amount more.
That’s all I’ve got on soil and I am happy to have it available for those who have found it hard to find quality ingredients.
You might not agree. In fact, you might even feel like I need to know you love mulch in your soil and kitty litter is your go to. Feel free to drop me a line.
For now, I ask that you give our ingredients a shot; order a box of the mix and if you can't document a noticeable health change in the first few months after repotting, I will be happy to pay you back. This works! And it is far more than "my tree is alive" works, but rather it allows for a healthy root system of feeder roots and an evenly watered tree. I hope this helps some people who are starting out to avoid the mulch: it’s good for flowerbeds but not bonsai soil.
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