What Goes in Bonsai Soil?

[@TheMonstrosity4]

I’m glad you are covering this topic . Please continue to share your knowledge, I’m all ears.🙏

[@Mopki3]

I started watching this on my phone, and stopped to resume on my desktop. It didn't show in my history. I went back to my phone, definitely watched some, and still, not in history. Almost lost this, but since I didn't fully close the app, I was able to reopen the app and add this to watch later, since youtube doesnt' want me to find you.

[@sadoldgit313]

“Kitty Pink” from Pets at Home in the UK is pure DE. Unscented, non clumping and retails at £15 for 30 Ltrs. PH is 5.5 so it needs organic material to buffer for some plants!

[@smalltrees]

Nice! Anyone with access to that should certainly use it in their soil. Thank you for sharing!

[@mehranashkanian2747]

Perfect my friend 👍

[@elementalbonsai]

Nice bro very informative!👌 And yes it does depend on were you live. I use Turface , organic potting mix, perlite, and lava rock . Works real well !

[@smalltrees]

You use actual potting soil? How much do you add?

[@elementalbonsai]

@@smalltrees it depends I judge the amount by eye if I'm potting into a 8in pot I'll do one cup. I repotted 2 Shefflera's as a forest style today into a 16in rectangle cheap training pot ! Lol I put 2 1/2 cups of organic potting soil into the mixture. I work alot so I don't have time to water everyday I usually water every 3 days .

[@kalpersaud9132]

Great video

[@davidcovington901]

All the info in one video was the way to go. Good stuff! Thanks. Making a flow chart now from it.

[@smalltrees]

Check out the link I'm the description. It has a lot of visual aids and more info than what was in my video I think. Thank you!

[@StephenTurnerVlogs]

Nice video. I'm currently looking into fine bark for cuttings and also pots for some of my larger conifers.

[@smalltrees]

It has been a little while since i have bought any large pots. If they are in training, Anderson flats are good. Otherwise, you could probably fashion your own grow box for pretty cheap using wood for the sides and fine hardware cloth for the bottom.

[@StephenTurnerVlogs]

@@smalltrees thank you. Fine hardware cloth, that'll be something to find. I have leftover plywood so I had thought out building some boxes but with a wooden base and drill holes to cover with mesh. But mesh is expensive 😅 What I've also find is a mesh netting being sold as shade cloth in my local hardware and gardening centre.

[@jcjackson726]

Thank you for making this video.

[@smalltrees]

I hope it helps!

[@brendancahill3376]

Very Informative video on Bonsai soil Thanks .

[@smalltrees]

Thank you!

[@midwestdartfrogs]

That's awesome you talk about chicken grit. My wife just asked me today if I could use it while we're picking up chicken feed.

[@smalltrees]

It's definitely a good substitute if you are like me and have trouble sourcing akadama or turface. I don't remember if I mentioned it in the video, but make sure that it isn't just ground up oyster shell. The high calcium content in oyster shell may affect the pH.of the soil and could manifest in less than ideal growth.

[@BackGardenBonsai]

All very sound advice. 👍

[@smalltrees]

Thanks! I figure that with that done, I can explain what mix may work best in what situations, discuss particle size, water retention, etc.

[@BackGardenBonsai]

small trees yeah that would be good.

[@LessTalkMoreDelicious]

Nice, I use organics too (with pumice) ...super dry in SoCal to only use hardcore 100% inorganic mixes (unless you can water 2-3x per day in summer).

[@smalltrees]

I have my timer set to water twice daily during the summer and even then I imagine it would be cutting it close in the hottest part of the summer.

[@Carlos_Cerda_Moya]

Thanks for that great info

[@browpetj]

Nice vid. The Tesco 'low dus' cat litter is calcined clay too (molar clay). Pure DE cat litter is rarely available in UK.

[@vizpal]

Very good info...

[@dalespringerwilson4233]

By the way, all hobby stores have plastic mesh that works perfect for bonsai. It's usually sold for hook and loop projects. Very tough, very cheap. Don't use metal screens !

[@smalltrees]

I believe that's where I got most of mine. I don't have many potted trees though, and I've had the same mesh for a long time.

[@MsSaudm]

Excellent video Yes I have tried the "auto parts store clay" It just turned to mush Avaiod in my opinion Can you please give a link to boones soil " pls thanks

[@smalltrees]

This is the first example when I searched for it. I'd recommend searching around for better prices. www.superflybonsai.com/products/boon-bonsai-soil-mix

[@sheriefkamal787]

Dear, I have bought "wonder cat" cat litter to use it in my mix for bonsai soil. I discovered that it has a smell of lavander. can I use it or it will heart the roots

[@lelloincendiario7803]

Thanks for a great video....am i correct when i say that the proportion is equal parts of each medium ?

[@smalltrees]

Standard APL is equal parts of each. Everyone will have their own recipe, but that one is most widely used.

[@91lovemusic]

Can i use this mix soil for jade plant(crassula ovata)?

[@tropicalheritagebonsaiandl8377]

thanks for sharing, where to buy the metal chopstick you are using. thanks

[@smalltrees]

I believe the metal chopsticks were free when I ordered some soil from bonsai jack.

[@silverseto1158]

When growing a young tree in its early stages of development, like during the time you are trying to develop a thick trunk, would you recommend using a bonsai specific mix?

[@smalltrees]

I grow my trees in a mix of potting soil and turface just to keep the soil from compacting a lot. As long as it isn't super dense soil and you fertilize, it should be fine.

[@nycjt6267]

Thanks for the informative videos. I literally just got into the hobby a week ago. been trying to fill my brain with info. I'm in the market for my first tree (Maple) any advice for a first time buyer?

[@smalltrees]

Do you have any local bonsai nurseries? Join a club if you can. If you just want to buy something, I'd buy a couple inexpensive trees to learn on. You can try different techniques without worrying about the cost sink if you kill them. work your way up to more expensive trees as your comfort level increases.

[@kestane123chesmo]

What about leonardite and zeolite instead of akadama ?

[@smalltrees]

I've not used either (I actually had to look up leonardite) but zeolite would work well. From what I see on leonardite, I might use a small amount as an additive but I wouldn't use it as a replacement. It contains humic acid which trident maples love, but too much might be a bad thing. I could be wrong on that though.

[@kaibab58]

Hi Is that charcoal you add at 11.20 ?

[@smalltrees]

Yes, it's horticultural charcoal that I forgot to show earlier. There was already some in the mix.

[@user-cz8ym9zu9e]

Shorten to 13-15 minutes

[@christiangonzalez6945]

Dude makes 13 minutos video. My throat. Me a teacher talking 8 hours a day Wtf are you talking about.

[@smalltrees]

Well, you talk for a living and I don't talk much at all!