What kind of soil is best for bonsai? The secret to creating healthy bonsai

Abstract:Have you ever wondered why the bonsai trees at home always look so vibrant? Do you feel like they are a small oasis, bringing life and vitality to your home? In fact, there's a lot to learn behind it! Today, let me reveal to you what kind of soil is good for bonsai, so that your bonsai can also...

Have you ever wondered why the bonsai trees at home always look so vibrant? Do you feel like they are a small oasis, bringing life and vitality to your home? In fact, there's a lot to learn behind it! Today, let me reveal to you what kind of soil is good for bonsai, so that your bonsai can also become the star of your home!

Soil, the "Nutrition" for Bonsai

Did you know? For a bonsai, soil is like its "nutrition". Good soil can make your bonsai grow lush and strong, whereas, if the soil is poor, even the best bonsai can become withered and weak. So, what kind of soil is considered good soil?

1. Breathability and Drainage, the "Breathing" of Bonsai

First, the soil must be well-aerated and have good drainage. Imagine if the soil was as dense and airtight as cement, could your bonsai's roots still breathe? Therefore, the proportion of granular soil (such as Akadama, lava rock) usually needs to be 50%-70% so that the roots can breathe freely and prevent root rot.

2. Water Retention and Fertility Balance, the "Feast" for Bonsai

Secondly, the soil needs a balance of water retention and fertility. Appropriately adding organic matter (such as leaf mold, peat soil) or water-retaining materials (like vermiculite), accounting for about 20%-30%, can both maintain the supply of water and nutrients and prevent the soil from becoming compacted.

3. Suitable pH Level, the "Taste" for Bonsai

Furthermore, the soil's pH level should be suitable. Conifers prefer slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) and can be adjusted with Kanuma soil; Broadleaf trees are more tolerant of pH levels (pH 6-7) and a small amount of rice hull charcoal can be added to adjust the alkalinity.

Unveiling Common Soil Mix Materials

So, what are the common soil mix materials available on the market?

1. Hard Granular Soil: Akadama, Kanuma, Lava Rock

These materials provide good aeration and drainage, stabilize the structure. Akadama also contains trace elements, Kanuma is slightly acidic, and is suitable for conifers and azaleas.

2. Lightweight Granular Soil: Pumice, Scoria

Light in texture, suitable for shallow pots or bonsai that need to be lightweight, with excellent permeability.

3. Organic Matter: Leaf Mold, Pine Needle Soil, Peat

Provides fertility and improves water retention, must be composted before use.

4. Functional Materials: River Sand (Coarse Sand), Vermiculite, Rice Hull Charcoal

River sand enhances drainage; vermiculite retains water; rice hull charcoal adjusts pH and prevents pests and diseases.

Classic Soil Mix Recipes, Worth Having

So, for different types of bonsai, how should we mix the soil?

1. Coniferous Bonsai (Black Pine, True Cypress, etc.)

Recipe: Akadama (50%) Kanuma (30%) Lava Rock (10%) Leaf Mold (10%)

Key Point: Pines are tolerant of poor soil, and the proportion of granular soil can be as high as 80%, avoid too much organic matter which can cause excessive growth.

2. Flowering and Fruiting Bonsai (Plum, Pomegranate, etc.)

Recipe: Akadama (40%) Leaf Mold (30%) Lava Rock (20%) Rice Hull Charcoal (10%)

Key Point: Flowering and fruiting bonsai require higher fertility, and bone meal or organic fertilizer can be supplemented regularly.

Repotting, the "Metabolism" of Bonsai

Don't forget to repot your bonsai regularly. Over time, the nutrients in the soil will be depleted, and it may breed bacteria and pests. Therefore, you should replace the potting soil with new soil every one to two years to ensure the root environment is always in the best condition.

After all this, do you now have a deeper understanding of what soil to use for bonsai? Go and change your bonsai to suitable soil, let it also become a lush "star"!