How to make bonsai soil - an easy guide

[@margaretsims4344]

Just revisited for compost advice. You have left us a great legacy Tony. You are missed 😢

[@invisiblespark]

What? He died? :(

[@mchlbk]

​@@invisiblesparkSadly, long after this video Tony's cancer returned and he died, yes.

[@MadMax0067-bs8wd]

Thank you Tony.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you very much for your generosity. Much appreciated.

[@PSPMHaestros]

I use equal parts perlite, pumice, lava rock and organic compost, it's fairly inexpensive and works great. For some trees I use 2 parts compost to get some more water retention, which I need in the hot summer days here in the south of Spain.

[@TonysBonsai]

Sounds like a great mix Edu. Here in the UK pumice and lava rock are over £1 per liter plus delivery which makes it really expensive.

[@PSPMHaestros]

@@TonysBonsai Here is about half that price, but as you showed, there's always a way to make good soil farily cheaply with what's is available in your area!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, I agree. We all have tow work with what's available to us.

[@oachkatzlsmum]

Hi Tony, I should have watched this video much earlier. Good to see at least now. Hope you are well and you don’t have to experience pain. My thoughts are with you. Best wishes, Martina

[@Polish_Pete]

great video Tony. Im in Salford Manchester - im new to bonsai - starting soon on my birthday :) Thanks for this video

[@JustJane1972]

Great to see your proven mix. Compost / horticultural sand, perlite or grit has been my kind of thinking in the early growth. I bought some bonsai mix from Greenwood and its a similar compost, sand and grit kind of feel. I hadn't considered the ericaceous with perlite. Cheers as always tony. Off to find your posh plant unboxing. 😊

[@johnjanssen5076]

Good video, Tony! I’ve been looking for a E-Z to understand video that shows how to create your own soil mix. Thanks for providing it! Looking forward to future videos from you! Thanks! John J in SC - USA

[@ryandroll3869]

Unfortunately, he passed away earlier this year. He is missed in the Bonsai Community for sure.😢

[@DavesKoiPond]

Thanks for the great tip on the melcourt mini pine bark, 👍 I've been looking locally and couldn't get anything like as small, and have just ordered a bag from amazon. I've ordered some moler clay kitty litter for drainage, as I'm not a particular fan of perlite though it's still a very good ingredient 🙂 I've only really been dabbling at bonsai, as part of my love of japanese gardens and koi. But some matureish maples I repotted about 3 years ago could do with repotting again as I just used a mix of ericaceous compost and grit. But some haven't grown so well and suspect it might be due to waterlogging over winter. I'd love to pot everything up in APL but some of my acers are in very large training pots and the cost would be ridiculous. It might be more affordable if they eventuially end up in shallow proper bonsai pots that need much less soil. 🙂

[@capttom144]

I come back to this video ever so often even if I remember the components and might have written em down somewhere 😅 just to see/hear how Tony explains it - because that's what might get people into bonsai! 👍 Rest in peace, mate!

[@SpearfishingBerkahanaklaut]

Halo bang, mantap banget proses media tanamnya, sukses terus ya👍👍👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks you!

[@Josef_R]

My biggest complaint with the "experts" is that they assume everyone is in refinement all the time. As a beginner myself, everything I have is in development for at least the next several years since I don't buy bonsai trees.

[@TonysBonsai]

yes, a bit like me Josef. I'm sure when we have more developed trees we will look at possibly going to a better mix, but for me at the moment this stuff does the job nicely.

[@jeffhurst4744]

A great alternative soil mixture ingredients. Things like Akadama, Kanuma, lava rock and other grits, and a myriad of other species recommended ingredients, have become very costly. I like the 3 basics of a good mixture: (1) free draining; (2) holds “moisture”; and (3) has tiny air pockets (roots breath). As many well versed and very experienced Bonsai practitioners and plant experts say: you can get things to grow in many-many soil ingredient combinations, just ensure it has the three (3) aspects. Thank you again.

[@josephascroft4774]

I can’t get these things right now due to lack of funds however I have just been given a 20yr old hawthorn and it’s roots are bare so I have used some gritty sand that my brother had and some small flint chippings which he also had knocking around and then I bought a bag of compost and mixed all that together, just praying 🙏🏻 it’ll work ok, anyway really enjoyed this video and once again found it very helpful, thanks 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

That sounds like a good mix Joseph. Don;t ever water it, and I would suggest you do some research about the black bag technique. Tony Tickle and HArry Harrington have some great videos on youtube, and it will give your hawthorn the best possible chance of pulling through.

[@johnrb9397]

Thats a good looking mix. I also cant seem to move over to full inorg. same as you trees still developing.

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi John, I do actually have two or three trees in fully inorganic soil, and from what I can see, they are not doing any better than my other trees, and one of them is struggling a bit.

[@piotrdziadczyk8598]

Hi Tony. Another great video. You give encouragement to the people who are new to the hobby by showing again that growing bonsai can be easy and affordable. Those ‘very serious bonsai artists’ on You Tube use only Akadama, lava rock and pumice and it seems that nothing else is good enough. Unfortunately this stuff is pretty expensive. Especially Akadama that has to be brought from Japan. For collected trees, nursery stock, plants in training that are very far from being fully developed bonsai I also use a substrate that contains compost and composted pine bark. From watching other bonsai channels I thought that’s very ‘unprofessional’ to use soil with organic components but why bother if plants grow well and are healthy. My soil mix especially shows itself with pines that develop nice, fine roots that are covered with white symbiotic fungus that smells like a pine forest on a hot late summer day. Thank you Tony

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Peter. Yes, I agree. I see some professionals scooping huge amounts of akadama into massive plant pots, and for them, it makes sense as they will get the money back when they sell the trees, but for me, it's just too expensive, and just like you, I find that my trees do great in my cheap soil mix. Also, you paint a fine picture. Mothing like the smell of a pine forest on a warm day. Magic!

[@louismarauding4300]

Just the info i was looking for, great job mate. Keep this up i’ll stay tuned

[@rcsart6409]

Thanks Tony, very useful. A job I have lined up to carry out before spring.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate, get yourself some ingredients and get mixing ready for the repotting

[@chrisswales1174]

Excellent video as usual Tony, thanks. Very useful for us beginners.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Chris. These videos seem to go down well which is always nice to hear.

[@paulito101]

finally the soil-making-video 😍 thanks tony😊 i just started creating my first two bonsais and for these i used compost and gravel, but will try your mix as well! thanks for sharing!

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Paul. Compost and gravel should work nicely mate. Glad you've started the journey mate!

[@robryan9841]

I'll give it a try, cheers Tony 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Works a treat for me Rob.

[@bimbi654]

I am new to bonsai and i live in Los Angeles California. Will this work on an olive tree?

[@robertjones7023]

I have been really bad with my soil practice. I've been using 100% miracle gro - peat-based potting soil or just garden dirt. As a result, my trees have not grown much or developed. I pulled most of them out of pots this year and am field-growing them to get better development for a couple years. I'm also working on lots of seeds and hardwood cuttings. So, I bought a bunch of sand and am starting to take my bonsai soil a bit more seriously. :) thanks Tony! great videos!

[@TonysBonsai]

I think we're all guilty of that at first Robert, but after a while we realise that it's really important to get our trees into some good well draining soil. I'm sure your trees will thank you for it.

[@guywatson-bognorregisbonsa7370]

From what I've seen we all use a very similar mix Tony. Mine is virtually identical except that I add another equal part of 'Pink Kitty Friend' as that holds moisture and doesn't break down and go green like the Perlite. Thanks for the video. 👍👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Guy. Jason also recommends that kitty mix, so I think I'll have to buy some and see how I get on.

[@guywatson-bognorregisbonsa7370]

@@TonysBonsai It's also used by Sid Pavey as 50% of his mix. 😀😀

[@DavesBonsai]

Great presentation of your soil!

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Dave. I decided to do this after watching your video where you sieved and prepared your soils in your garage. keep up the great work.

[@ninamason9458]

Hye Tony this is the first year I've used a different soil..it used t just be lidls cheap stuff it worked but could never get good root growth..I've used your mix this year apart from the bark I can't the little stuff! Nd ma trees are much healthier can't wait t see the roots. Thanks again 😎

[@TonysBonsai]

Great news Nina. i hope there are loads of healthy roots next time you look!

[@benthamlodge]

A good boost for root growth would be to water in some diluted Willow Tea, something I intend to do a video on as soon as i have worked out how to edit in DaVinci Resolve which is even harder to do than grow roots. ;)

[@TonysBonsai]

I gave up on DaVinci resolve. It was too complicated for me. For root growth I use Rhizotonic.

[@andrewredmond799]

Well done Tony thanks for that 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Andrew.

[@stemack1975]

nailed it thanks

[@jazzrat2000]

This is great Tony! the only thing better is working with muck.

[@rogermarshall6069]

Thanks for a decent video for specific bonsai mix useful in the uk. Would you recommend any thing other than you mentioned in your video that is specifically for Yew trees 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Roger. I have a large yew that I collected last spring and I potted it in this soil and it has grown really well. The only thing I would recommend you add is something like rhizotonic when the tree is first potted up. This really helps with root production.

[@TonysBonsai]

Also I am about to start experimenting with coco coir instead of compost. Apparently it is better and leads to less root rot. I will be updating on it in a week or two

[@jilllunsford9614]

HELLO! PLEASE I NEED YOUR HELP. Im a new subscriber 🎉 I need your help I'm growing a juniper bonsai and I was trying to figure out what kind of soil to grow it in so after looking on the internet I ended up mixing 1/3 vermiculite 1/3 perlite and 1/3 of a soil that's kind of gritty with some wood pieces. Is this going to work for my plant on not work for my plant at all and how often should I know to water it because it feels so different than dirt I can't really tell? Thank you so much for your time!

[@phillipwaterman5721]

Bonsai phill very good mixture well done Tony thank s Mate

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Phil!

[@stemack1975]

satsuki Azaleas can you do a vid on this where to buy and can we buy other azaleas and why they are they so exspensive and difficult to find young plants 1 to 2 years . There is a fortune to be made just growing and selling the famous azalea jap satzukis etc

[@grumpy_ken]

that's an effective and economical locally sourced soil. 50% organic material is just a touch to high for my climate and taste, I've settled on around a third. well done

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Ken. I've recently substituted out the compost for coco coir and the trees seem to really like it

[@grumpy_ken]

​@@TonysBonsai I've also been experimenting with coir, both the fine and the chunky stuff. I have some cactus that really seem to like it as well as I've noticed roots wrapped around the chunks when I repot 😃

[@dineshvyas]

Rest in peace friend.

[@duncansteward4331]

Good stuff --- plants will do well in that mix.

[@joegarland4885]

Very good mix Tony.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Joe.

[@mattbrennan647]

Very similar to what I use Tony. Mine is equal parts perlite, turface, and a pre mixed cactus soil. Like yours, inexpensive and works great. Thanks, keep growing

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Matt. I really need to research this turface and see if it is available here in the UK.

[@mattbrennan647]

@@TonysBonsai . It’s 100% fullers earth. A fired clay. Available in tractor supply stores as an oil absorbant. Good luck 👍🏻🍀

[@mattbrennan647]

@@TonysBonsai ,,, Turface will also appeal to frugal budget. Here in Connecticut I can get it for about $5 for a 40 pound bag. Happy hunting

[@TonysBonsai]

The closest we can get to turface in the UK is cat litter molar clay which is £15 for a 30 liter bag.

[@richardsmith6738]

Top vid thanks.........I'm off to the garden center.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Richard. I hope you find some bargains!

[@jaerobinson6618]

Aup tony one thing I always struggle with is know if there's any air pockets left in the pot when repotting any tips?

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Jae. The best thing to do is spend time really working the soil into the roots using a nice chopstick, and I like to also give the pot a tap to settle everything in.

[@johnrb9397]

Thank you Tony. My hope is your at rest and in eternal peace with our Heavenly Father.

[@notionbonsai]

Excellent video Tony! Love this mix of soil! I find adding compost means I dont have to water as often also which isnt as scary as having to water every single day haha!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, at this time of year I'm only watering every few days, and even when it's really hot I only have to water once a day. Watering three times a day like Bjorn at Esien Isn't for me!

[@benthamlodge]

Another two alternatives to help retain moisture would be to add a portion of sphagnum moss which would also add a nice bio-load too. The other option is to use Leca as a base layer, no more than 2 balls high (Leca balls I may add) but then it may simply create a Perched Water Table so would not help that much since the PWT thing means the lower substrate level can become too moist through wicking. Sadly, the small Leca balls would be great and you can whop a handful or 2 of them into the substrate mix as opposed to a separate base layer, but at least in the UK they are both hard to find and when you do are much more expensive than the larger balls.

[@williamaitken7533]

You're lucky you're able to find the pine mini chips, especially for so cheap. For some reason in the states, most garden centers only have the "mini nuggets" which are like the kind of wood chips you spread out as ground cover. If you want the small pieces you either have to rent a wood mulcher or pay a premium for "orchid bark". To my knowledge, the primary advantages of akadama/fired clay pellets is that they drain extremely well (preventing any issues with waterlogged roots) and that when roots break through the pellets, they tend to split, giving you more root ramification. By having such a grit/pumice-heavy substrate you mitigate the first issue. And I think as you mentioned, the second issue is really more of a consideration when a tree is in the refinement stages. Personally I use Turface, a fired clay pellet often used for sports fields, instead of akadama. It's relatively cheap and it has similar properties. I'm always concerned about automated watering when I'm away from my house. And by using a mostly inorganic soil, I can set my automated watering system to water once or twice a day and never worry about over-watering it. I don't know if I could confidently do that with a more organic soil like yours!

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi William. I definitely agree that inorganic soils are the best. I have a collected beech that is in a mixture of akadama, lava rock and pumice. I was so happy when I collected it and went to such lengths, I just put it in the best soil I had. The issue is that it is probably in close to £50 of soil at todays prices, and with over 300 trees all in development I would have to remortgage my house. We can't get turface over here, and 14 litres of akadama costs £25.00- £35.00 plus delivery. and pumice isn't much cheaper either. I'm not sure what I'm going to do once my trees start needing a better soil for development? Last year I went through around 500 liters of soil, and this year I will probably need the same. I should really stop adding to my collection, but I just can't 🤣🤣

[@williamaitken7533]

@@TonysBonsai I've been reusing my substrate when I repot bonsai. When I do the root combing, I do it on a tray. Then I leave that tray out to dry. Then I sift it to remove any clay dust or stray bits of root and put it in a large sealed tub. Then when I start to run out of my normal bonsai mix, I can add all that pre-used stuff and decide if I need to add anything to amend it. It should (over time) start to be just pumice and lava rock as the wood chips break down and the clay pellets degrade. But at least that will let me reuse the pumice and lava rock! I imagine you could do the same thing, but with adding more compost as needed.

[@TonysBonsai]

yes, I think I'll start to do something like that when I have more refined trees in proper bonsai pots, but for now I find my soil performs really well for what my trees need.

[@aronwalsh9680]

Nice one Tony I use the katsan litter from pets at home as it’s 100% molar clay, works well with perlite and compost .

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Aron. I am definitely going to have to check out this cat litter and see what results I get.

[@BonsaiCornwall]

Loved that, cheers mate.

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers buddy!

[@ghostypup]

I use john Innes number 3, pearlite, extra grit...no problems

[@HieuNguyen-ie3pl]

Thank you so much Tony

[@timfreeman4242]

For a lot of my pre bonsai I use 50/50 inorganic/organic. Cat litter I find works well, though you have to pick the right one!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, I have been recommended the one from pets at home, so I think I'll check that out!

[@janeplatt8254]

Thanks Tony ,🇬🇧😊❤️

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks Jane. My pleasure!

[@keepingitkoi]

Thanks for that bud very helpful 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers mate. Always a pleasure

[@GrowingBonsai]

nice video Tony. I have one taped for einter release, but that will not take off like I suspect yours will.

[@TonysBonsai]

I don't know about that mate. Your videos seem to do pretty well.

[@GrowingBonsai]

@@TonysBonsai thx, in general🎉 i agree they do well. I just expect this one of yours to reach high!

[@TonysBonsai]

It's definitely going down well so far! 🙂

[@bobcatbonsai]

I like it. Not to complicated. I agree with using some type of organic matter. Most of my trees have years of development to go before they are ready to be shown. :)

[@TonysBonsai]

yeah just like mine and that's if I ever show them anyway. That side of bonsai doesn;t really appeal to me.

[@bobcatbonsai]

@@TonysBonsai I can respect that. I want to join a local society and just do the little shows to learn.

[@Hydrosized]

Thanks man, I made your mix today but I used cactus soil instead of triple mix. I thought the pine bark was enough organically. Thanks again!

[@TonysBonsai]

Excellent. I have recently adjusted my mix, and I don't add compost anymore. I have switched it to coco coir

[@carynludwig6667]

Great video! Good mix!! Easy Peasy!My mix basically the same. My own experience is that the organics help the trees grow better, too. However, as you said, cuttings do better in the perlite/grit only mix. Some of my best successes have been in 100% perlite only…(depends on what I’m rooting). Others in 50% perlite, 50% Turface. For some reason, too much organics in a rooting mix causes rot…..must hold too much water, or promote bacteria, or both.😮

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, It's an interesting point. I have generally found that things grow best in standard soil mix, although my zelkovas loved it in small tubs of pure perlite standing in plenty of water.

[@theboyberm]

Tony would you use your mix for evergreen trees aswell. Would it make a difference if you did use the same for all.

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Berm. Yes, I use the same mix for pretty much all my trees. For evergreens, I would generally suggest a lighter more airy soil as they don't like anything heavy so possibly back off on the compost a bit.

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

Fascinating. I have just become interested in Bonsai and rather than just buy the established trees, I want to learn how to do it all myself. Part of being autistic is that I need to know it *all* lol. I *did* buy a little bonsai yesterday from a specialist local to me, but I feel obliged to as he spent time talking to me and explaining things.

[@davidstokes925]

Thanks so much for this my friend!

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks David. my pleasure

[@highwayjim6672]

When you fertilize, do you use a fertilizer with micronutrients?

[@alandouthwaite6980]

I have made a fair quantity of your soil mix and the first re potting I have done is for a Ficus tea which I bought last year, it was showing signs of leaf droop and as it was the only tree showing these signs I decided it probably needed a re pot. I used your mixx and made sure the tree was bedded in. The first thing I noticed is that this soil is very free draining so was quite pleased. However after 4 days the tree is showing no signs of recovering, I know this isn't very long but don't want to loose it ? can you comment please

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Alan. Yes it is a good free draining mix, and so it does require at least a couple of good soakings in the first day to moisten all the parts. I'm not sure you can expect a re-pot to save a tree that is dropping its leaves in only four days. If it has stopped dropping leaves then that is a result, and if it continues to drop them, perhaps it will then grow a new set of leaves? I've never owned a ficus tea, so I don't really know the tree.

[@alandouthwaite6980]

@@TonysBonsai Hi Tony, Thanks for your honesty, it would seem that the ficus tea is rather prone to suddenly expiring. I bought it over a year ago and as it was looking well I had done nothing with it (not even moved it) until the leaves started drooping. However in a last ditch attempt to save it I have de-foliated it leaving only six new leaves (as advised) and will wait and see.

[@greenmachinesweden]

Great to see inexpensive soil options. Here people tend to grow trees in 100% akadama. Too expensive and compacts too fast in my opinion. I will do a bonsai soil video myself come repotting season.😀👍

[@TonysBonsai]

You definitely should do one. I'd be interested in seeing what mix you use.

[@guysolis5843]

Good video, Big T!...I will replicate what you have done here after I move, it looks like a perfect blend without having to pay out too much money. I looked but perhaps you didn't do a video yet on fertilizers with details on how much and when to use and when to stop..that would be good. Have fun and know you are being watched! 👀

[@TonysBonsai]

Glad you enjoyed it Guy. I've switched the compost for coco coir, and i prefer it.

[@guysolis5843]

@@TonysBonsai Sounds like a good decision!

[@RogersOrchidsGardenandBonsai]

There are two basic mixes for Bonsai - flashy expensive mixes that work well, and cheap home-made mixes which also work well. I know which I use!!! AND, with a home-made mix, it can easily be varied for the type of tree being potted.

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, that's a good point. I didn't really discuss it in my video, but I do make some changes to my mix depending on the species.

[@scheers100]

I use mostly the same principle like you. Smal part organic in the soil mix, for trees in development(everything I have is in development😂). This year I tested some complete inorganic soil on a handful of trees and a specially my sheffelera(not sure this is spelled correct) likes it more! Keep growing 👍🌳👌👊

[@TonysBonsai]

Great minds must think alike. I have tested a fully inorganic mix on a few trees, and so far they are doing ok, but no better than my other trees, but it will be interesting to see what happens over time.

[@SCALEMODELSbyNR]

Nice video Tony, gonna try this because I dont have any far developed tree's and am planning to buy a lot of bare rooted tree's tree's (betula pendula, sorbus torminalis, larix kaempfer, carpinus betulus, fagus sylvatica)in oktober/november. The horticultural grit is a bit cheaper then kitty litter (bear in mind, in mainland europe I cant find bags named horticultural grit, but i've read crushed sand 0-4mm (dutch: brekerzand 0-4mm) is the same, and it is very cheap (2-5 euro for 25kg).

[@TonysBonsai]

Sounds like that crushed sand will be the same thing, so it should work out nicely. Also, that's a nice list of trees to acquire. You'll soon have a good collection of varied species of trees to work on and practice various bonsai techniques,.

[@michaelreed9805]

Thank you

[@nillysbonsai]

Interesting recipe Tony cheaper than the average mix at least! I got given a half a bag of cat litter to experiment with but I heard mix opinions on it!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeah, I think as long as it is the correct type of cat litter it will be fine. Jason seems to know his cat litter!

[@XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

About the same ratio I use of inorganic to organic parts. As ive mentioned before my only real difference for basic mix is I stopped using perlite and replaced it with medium sized vermiculite as i found it had a better water retention and was less prone to floating off the top of the pot soemtimes when watering. I use pine bark if it is on special and i can find small enough chips. I also do add 3 part of kitty friend as my 'core' ingredient. Perhaps that's why i have such an issue with Cats in pooing in my garden :)

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, I think I am definitely going to have to get myself some kitty litter and experiment with adding some of that to my mix, especially on more advanced trees which I want to start refining. As for the cats, my neighbour had bought some of those electronic devices which are triggered by movement and I've barely seen a cat in weeks.

[@benthamlodge]

Having done a lot of research on cat litter, I have found 2 brands that are 100% pure active ingredients for use on indoor gardening substrates - One, Pets at Home Clumping Clay Cat Litter 15 Litres for £5.99 (UK only) do a 100% Bentonite Clay which is directly comparable to Molar Clay and good for use in Koke Dama and Wabi Kusa creations where some level of 'stickiness' is required. The other one is apparently internationally available SANICAT ADVANCED HYGIENE FRAGRANCE FREE that is 100% Diatomite which should also be good at keeping fungus gnats at bay as well as helping in yourt substrate. Needless to say, both are a fraction of the cost of Akadama !

[@benthamlodge]

Both of the above are fragrance and additive free by the way.

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you for that information. Wonderful, and I'm sure others will appreciate it too! I'm especially interested in the Bentonite clay as I have been thinking about creating some bonsai where that kind of clay will be necessary. Cheers!

[@benthamlodge]

@@TonysBonsai And only £6 for a massive amount - Preston's Popular Price !

[@eyeteeoh_5117]

Hey Tony what are some alternatives to the Melcourt grit that you use in your mix? I can’t seem to find any that seems similar, maybe I’m looking in the wrong places. Btw I live in the states.

[@TonysBonsai]

You can use any fine grit or coarse sand, but if I lived in the US, I would be using pumice. I presume we don't have any naturally occurring sources over here in the UK, so it's very expensive, but over there you can pick it up at a fraction of the price. This bag in the UK would be in excess of £100 www.vitalgardensupply.com/products/pumice-stone-1

[@eyeteeoh_5117]

@@TonysBonsaiso you would use pumice instead of perlite or grit? At the moment I have already bought wood chips, perlite,and sphag peat moss. Btw thanks for the reply, I’m a beginner looking to make my first soil mix.

[@natrjack965]

Very similar to my mix Tony but I use pumice and lava rock instead of grit but I think I may change to grit as its more cost effective.. Great video Tony..

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Michael. I have used pumice and lava rock exactly like you, and I've not noticed any difference myself by using the grit.

[@natrjack965]

@@TonysBonsai I will be doing your mix from now on

[@natrjack965]

What garden centre do you get you stuff from

[@TonysBonsai]

It varies. I picked up some great bargains the other day from Dobbies and B&Q, but Blundells nursery, Bannister Hall farm nursery and Maple farm nursery have lots of affordable material.

[@natrjack965]

@@TonysBonsai thanks mate 👍

[@stephenrichards2628]

Having trouble tracking down stockists of Melcourt Mini Chips, had to get my last bag from Amazon, which was very expensive, which garden centres stock it? North West England.

[@TonysBonsai]

Hi Stephen I got mine from a garden center just outsdie Preston, but they don't ship it

[@digitaIgorilla]

Perlite is volcanic glass that has been heated to 1000 degrees Celcius which causes it to expand into these grains. Who knew? 😁 Also MiracleGro and Verve make peat free Ericaceous Compost I've found it in B&Q (not sponsored...🤣)

[@TonysBonsai]

Thanks for that mate. Two excellent pieces of information, especially the peat-free ericaceous compost. I'm going to pick some of that up thanks!

[@gareththompson7785]

My local B and Q has an offer on theirs, 2.50 a bag instead of 6.50. I grabbed a couple just because it was cheap

[@TonysBonsai]

Nice bit of bargain hunting that!

[@chaddamp2894]

The grit looks like the sand from Carlyon beach near St Austell cornwall !!

[@TonysBonsai]

Yeah, i think I've been to that beach a few years ago. It's a bit like the sand at Bedruthan steps too

[@chaddamp2894]

@@TonysBonsai the sand at Carlyon bay is spoils from the old china clay pits!!

[@bonsaikastur]

Nice mix

[@TonysBonsai]

Thank you.

[@rcsart6409]

Hi Tony, someone has just given me some silica cat litter (for my cat!). Seems perfect for Bonsai as it remains granular even when soaked. Can't see anyone commenting on it, have you experimented with it?

[@TonysBonsai]

Cat litter can be used very successfully, but apparently there are only a couple of brands that are ok. They have to be perfume free and non clumping. I know one of them is called sanicat. I've never used it myself, but I watched a brilliant video about it by gro bonsai. You should check that one out.

[@rcsart6409]

@@TonysBonsai Cheers Tony.

[@andymook8206]

I use same mix except compost replaced with John innes number 2. Trees in development work better in this mix, trees in refinement I find better in molar

[@TonysBonsai]

That's interesting Andy. I've never really considered the compost element, but I'll have to buy a bag of John Innes 2 and give it a try thanks

[@andymook8206]

@@TonysBonsai it was stated in the late Harry tomlinsons book and he knew his stuff

[@nerinat8371]

Now l will have to watch whats in the box 😄

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

Just an observation that perlite has a habit of drifting to the surface over time. I do often add it to soil mixes, particularly for young trees, seedlings etc with juvenile roots. I’m a big fan of cat litter / molar clay aka kitty friend from pets at home (about £16 for a 30ltr bag) or Tesco low dust non clumping cat litter. Must be terracotta in colour or it’s the wrong stuff for your trees. I do also add a small element of regular compost but it can be a draw for things like weevil.

[@TonysBonsai]

I think I'll have to go and look for some of that cat litter and give it a try Jason. As for the perlite although a small amount does definitely rise to the top when i first water it in. I find that after a few days it seems to be fine.

[@TheBonsaiGarden]

@@TonysBonsai the cat litter is definitely worth a look / it’s Akadama for the common folk 😁 except it doesn’t break down. Harry Harrington has been using it for years with great success as have many other old hands at bonsai.

[@TonysBonsai]

As long as I don't have to buy a cat, it's all good!

[@SCALEMODELSbyNR]

@@TheBonsaiGarden I think Harry stopped using it for a few years now, he went (back) to akadama / pumice / lava

[@Hiawatha999]

My mix is exactly the same as yours Tony. And the trees grow great. Inorganic soil ? You are forever watering cos it dries out too quickly.

[@TonysBonsai]

Yes, I agree. I only water my trees once a day during the main growing season, and from Oct - April I don't have to bother at all.

[@bonsa1guy]

For the most part having an inorganic mix doesn't mean you have to water several times a day, especially a high moler mix.

[@Marceldbd]

Thanks Tony! Hope the fireplace is going good 👍

[@TonysBonsai]

Cheers Marc. The new harth is looking fantastic. The fire's going in this week, so hopefully I'll include it in a video soon

[@Marceldbd]

@@TonysBonsai great! Looking forward to seeing it.

[@jackwalters283]

How did Tony pass? 😢

[@baldyeti]

What makes up the Grit, brother? Is that crushed granite (chicken grit)? Or do you all call something else Grit on your side of the pond?

[@TonysBonsai]

I've just done a bit of research, and apparently, it is crushed quartz used mainly for alpines.

[@davidcanetti6927]

I will give this a try, fed up with paying the " acadama" prices

[@TonysBonsai]

Worth a try mate, especially on trees which are still in development.

[@bogdanbuda8118]

no mask, no gloves, right lads?

[@benthamlodge]

I like the look of the Melcourt Horticultural Grit since it is much smaller than the stuff from the big box stores, so much so that for my gritty Succulent Substrate mix recipe I have been using chick grit which is very uniformly small and really quite decorative. I didn't buy the grit from B&Q or Amazon, I got it from an agricultural supplies merchant - 25kg for about £12 - Brand: Jondo Flint Chick Grit and it is very clean. Agree on the Melcourt mini chip, another component of my succulent, general houseplant and aroid mixes. The organic component - shop bought compost - is a good choice I guess if you need it to be low pH. I try not to use any shop bought compost in my Indoor Gardening Substrates since I have my own worm farm and a small dollop of vermicast does the trick. I am also a great advocate of Biochar. I grade my supply of biochar into 0-8mm diameter for indoor plants and use the larger chunks in my garden pots and raised beds. I would recommend biochar that has been activated and you can do that yourself - effectively just soak the biochar in worm tea or mix it 'dry' into buckets of 9 parts biochar and 1 part dampened vermicast. It then give a fantastic bio-charge to the substrate to give all plants a great start in a new pot/substrate. Regards Nikki (from York)

[@TonysBonsai]

Wow, you know a lot about soil Niki. I can see I'm going to enjoy your videos providing I can follow them 🤣 The worm soil sounds really interesting!