Make your own bonsai soil - my recipe for bonsai soil

[@howva]

I use pumice, zeolite and pine bark 1:1:1. I use zeolite just to stretch the mix. Zeolite is so cheap compared to the other two components. Only been using this mix for 3 years and am coming up to the first repotting of my pre bonsai. I'm excited to see how the roots are doing!

[@BonsaiCornwall]

Just subbed mate, this is an awesome video on soil. Thanks 😊

[@JesusChrist4ever]

Really enjoyed this videos man thanks

[@katyb2793]

I've been using osmocote orchard mix, sand, slow release osmocote and woolies kitty litter (it's a clay one), not sure what ratio, I eye ball it. But probably roughly 4 parts osmocote orchard mix, 2 parts kitty litter and one part sand. It's definitely free draining and the plants seem to really love it. The osmocote particles are definitely too big, and I'm on the fence about the sand. But it works! It also holds moisture probably a bit longer than what others would like, but I can't water as often as I would like so it works for me. This was a really helpful video, thanks!

[@mercamg9312]

Hi. Are you still happy with the kitty litter. Does it break down into dust eventually and clog up. cheers

[@katyb2793]

@@mercamg9312 so far so good! I think the kitty litter is the last thing to break down. But I've only been learning bonsai for 4 years. My trees are all young so they've never gone longer than 2 years without a repot. But I find the pine bark is the one to disintegrate first. Which country are you in? My kitty litter is 100% zeolite, a volcanic clay. I wouldn't use any other ingredients. A lot of them are paper etc. Also be careful, a lot of ppl have problems with added chemicals to the kitty litter, killing their trees. I didn't know and got lucky. Also, always wear a mask! Even when changing your cat's kitty litter. The dust particles are extremely bad for your lungs. Good luck!

[@katyb2793]

@@mercamg9312 also, I realised I tweaked my soil mix since this comment. I now use much smaller particles of composted pine bark, the kitty litter and River sand.

[@mercamg9312]

I'm in the lucky country and Melb. l just shopped at woollies and forgot to get kitty litter. darn. Coles has plenty as well including clay litter. just tried to get some perlite scoria or pebbles in 7mm from garden nursery but they were closed sundays.Thanks.

[@katyb2793]

@@mercamg9312 we truly are the lucky country! Ah darn it bout woolies! It's impossible to go without forgetting something 😅 I've only tried woolies one, but good thing is it's cheap lol! Good luck!

[@heresjonny.]

I am trying out a mix of sand, pearlite, and pine bark. Going to add some pea gravel next to get what I am looking for. Something that is free draining yet holds some moisture, I live in zone 8 so the summers get nasty. I have my juniper in this mix currently, waiting for signs of good or bad news for the next few weeks 👍. I want to be able to water once a day in the summer or something like every 3 to 5 days.

[@matthewwood4008]

As a bricklayer The maple stand out of plumb behind you is triggering me Love your videos👍

[@rebeccahunter725]

We are still waiting for the cold to ease up here in the Ranges, so I am a few weeks off repotting, but should probably start thinking about mixes. Just at the start of my experimental journey, but given how dry my summers are, I think I need a little more organic, or another water holding component. Fun and games, and fingers crossed we are "out" again for the next meeting!

[@Pete-z6e]

I mix mine by pouring from one large bucket to another several times…works well.

[@GraftingTactick]

Thanks for the bonsai mixed recipe 👌

[@braydengraves2283]

The best mix for me is Perlite, pete moss, pine bark, and some regular potting soil

[@andreasleiker262]

Thanks ! Good explanation and soil mixture ! :)

[@aysinduarte]

Nice to see another Melburnian into Bonsais :) luckily we hsbe this hobby to keep us occupied during lockdowns. Thank you for the recipe

[@-ChrisD]

Great video! Thanks for sharing :)

[@minidisc02]

Hi David you mentioned this ratio of 4-1 requires watering 3 times a day in summer. If I can only manage to water once a day (before work) what would you suggest for the ratio of pumice - pine bark?

[@Bonsaiworx]

Probably 50/50. Just need to then be careful in winter it doesn’t stay too wet. I hardly water in winter.

[@anthonysanchez3067]

Use a bit of moisture control soil in the mix to water it less frequently.

[@sheriefkamal787]

Dear, can I use crushed Dolomite in mixture instead of pumice. Thanx

[@Bonsaiworx]

Sorry I’m not sure. I can only give advice on things that I have tried. Sorry I can’t be of help.

[@garrycarter8485]

HI. I AM JUST STARTING ON BONSAI. I HAVE A QUESTION I WANTED TO ASK YOU. I THINK I HAVE HEARD THAT SOME PEOPLE PUT A LAYER OF SMALL RIVER GRAVEL IN THE BOTTOM OF THE POT BEFORE THE SOIL TO KEEP THE ROOTS FROM SETTING IN WATER. DO YOU RECOMMEND DOING THIS. PLEASE LET ME HEAR FROM YOU. ALSO WHERE YOU USE WIRE TO BEND THE BRANCHES HOW LONG DO YOU LEAVE THE WIRE ON BEFORE REMOVING IT. ENJOYED YOUR VIDEO

[@Bonsaiworx]

I don’t bother with a gravel layer as my mix is really open. Wire is left on until it is getting slightly tight and just cutting into the branch.

[@garrycarter8485]

@@Bonsaiworx THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ADVISE AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST STARTING ON THIS

[@BrendonVS80]

Very cool video, thank you David. Weird question.. My trees are in development stages and far from refinement and I got akadama and pumice as a gift . 18ltr each. So I’ve been using a mix of both for most of my development trees, deciduous and evergreens. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to use soils that are typically only used for refinement material?

[@aussielass5621]

I'm just starting, still in idea & research phase

[@mercamg9312]

hi David. is Dirtbags still a good price? i dont have facebook , so can l pick up in melb? where is his location? is the bunnings perlite any good 25L for $30. cheers

[@Bonsaiworx]

Yep dirtbags is a great mix and used by many experienced members in Melbourne. His number is 0412 698 259. I don’t use perlite however it should be the same product no matter where you buy it.

[@1cleandude]

Great video but how does the plant get nutrients? Thanks 🙏

[@Bonsaiworx]

Fertiliser in the growing seasons.

[@kestane123chesmo]

@@Bonsaiworx hi, what kind of fertilizer should we use ? does the pine bark invite gnats ? im keeping my trees in an enclosed patio, pests are drivinv me crazy

[@Bonsaiworx]

Use anything you can get your hands on. I don’t have issues with gnats as the soil drains and dries out really well.

[@kaveeshamunasinghe9235]

Hey David where do you buy soil components from? Bunnings sell pine bark but couldn't find pumice

[@Bonsaiworx]

I get my pumice from Damian at Dirtbags and pine bark nuggets from Orchid clubs.

[@bobmccarlie382]

Do you use this mix with both deciduous and conifers?

[@Bonsaiworx]

Yep I use the same for all my trees.

[@aussielass5621]

Will this mix for bonsai fruit trees?

[@Bonsaiworx]

I use for all my tree including plum tree.

[@valentinegirly6718]

Thanks for this

[@roehle9962]

is this mix suited for deciduous trees?

[@Bonsaiworx]

I use this for all my trees.

[@roehle9962]

@@Bonsaiworx thanks, ill order some as soon as possible :)

[@MrFsudude]

Hey David, would you use this same mix for your pre bonsai?

[@Bonsaiworx]

I use my recycled bonsai mix mixed in with a good potting mix. After I repot a tree I asses the soil it came out of and after I wash and sieve the old soil, I will reuse it for my stock plants/pre bonsai.

[@MrFsudude]

@@Bonsaiworx Great, thanks David

[@joaopereira6435]

Can I use Perlite instead of pumice?

[@Bonsaiworx]

Perlite is very light and can wash away when watering. I don’t use it but it’s worth a try if you want to give it a go.

[@joaopereira6435]

@@Bonsaiworx Thanks for your answer. I live in a small island of Portugal, i dont have access to Akadama, pumice or that "oil absorver". I was thinking in, 35% Perlite, 30% contruction gravel or river sand, 10% pine bark and 25% organic soil. What you think about this? Again, thanks for your help and awesome videos.

[@andrewt1176]

Guessing you got the pumice awhile ago.. struggling to get it at the moment…

[@Bonsaiworx]

Have you tried Damien from dirt bags? Yeah I got a batch last year and had two left for this year.

[@andrewt1176]

@@Bonsaiworx yeah he’s taking a day off next week sometime to pick some up. He’s having trouble because of the syd lockdown. Is that Grim Elder’s that puts fertilizer in his mix?

[@Bonsaiworx]

Yep it sure is grim elder however i think you need to water extensively especially in summer.

[@katyb2793]

@@Bonsaiworx where do you buy your pine bark?

[@Bonsaiworx]

@@katyb2793 I get it from the orchid club where one of our committee members belongs to.

[@gregwilliams6199]

Is this soil ok for bougainvillea and cherry tree ?

[@Bonsaiworx]

I use the same mix for everything.

[@gregwilliams6199]

How do I contact dirt bags

[@Bonsaiworx]

@@gregwilliams6199 Damian 0412 698 259

[@gregwilliams6199]

Thanks Dave

[@sonichedgehog8723]

I never see any Americans doing bonsai videos. We must be too busy doing nothing. Nice video.

[@Bonsaiworx]

There are a lot of top quality Americans doing bonsai videos like Bjorn Bjorholm.

[@pharaoh6977]

What about Lava rocks?

[@Bonsaiworx]

I don’t use them but know a few people that do.

[@pharaoh6977]

@@Bonsaiworx I was wondering if I could use those to replace the pumice since it's hard to find where I live

[@PrototypeBMX]

thanks

[@paulfenn9693]

That’s pretty much what I use in England

[@wadmadhushan4434]

Super

[@brucedeacon28]

👌

[@sallyanderson-dixon4659]

To much background noise. I can't hear the ingredients.