Which Bonsai Soil Mix is Best?

[@TheCosmicDrama]

Appreciate the review of those soils! I use bonsai jack a lot. I like to get my pumice, lava rock and pine bark from them. Then I just get a bag of turface or something similar and mix those up. I got some Akadama recently to test out too. I have thought about buying a pre made mix. I think if I do I’ll probably try the bonsai jack because I like their products.

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

Good plan I think! I have lots of soil ingredients and tend to mix my own, but I sometimes just want to use it straight out of the bag. I like to experiment and tune the soil based on how the tree has been doing in a specific pot which can make a big difference. Of course, the ready made soil is much more expensive which is a concern if you have a large collection or large trees. My trees are mostly quite small so a bag goes a long way… Thanks for watching!!!

[@lisawagner6076]

I just opened my first bag of Bonsai Supply and I really love it too. I am dipping my feet into this bonsai hobby and I am trying different things. I can't even remember what kind I saw using back in the spring, but it had a lot of organics in it, and if I had listened to every body else and watered my trees everyday, 3 times a day, they would have been drastically over watered. Next I bought bags of 'ingredients', but I have not used them because I would have to sift them and I am not set up to do that yet. So I broke down and bought the expensive soil from Bonsai Supply. I love their channel so I thought I would just try it. I Love it! It is not dusty and can be used right out of the bag! I am 61 and the thought of having to sift all these things before I can use them has really turned me off to that. I don't have the energy to do all that anymore. I repotted my Brazilian Rain Tree on Saturday into that soil and by Sunday that little tree seemed "Happy" LOL. It seemed to have more leaves and they seemed brighter than they were in that soggy bog it came in. I just bought the largest bag of it they sell and I am waiting for it now. And if I liked their soil so much, I bought their fertilizer too. At my age now, things have to be easy for me now or I shy away and will never do it.

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

Hi Lisa! Your explanation completely capture why I put the video together. I do sift snd mix, etc, but like yourself I often don’t want to bother with all that and just want to get on to repotting! 🤣 As you said, it’s not cheap, but it sure is convenient and effective! Their soil is also top notch, I really like the smaller shohin mix in particular and it’s perfectly ready to go right out of the bag. Thanks for watching and commenting and good luck with your rain tree!! ❤️🌲

[@lisawagner6076]

@@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom Thank you!!

[@that1juggalo_m2c42]

Good day Tom, I really appreciate your Port/Jade videos. They are the 2 main plants I work with. I would really like to see a video on your indoor setup for your trees. I recently had to move into an apartment due to a fire, and don’t have much room. I’m just trying to bring in my best trees. I go thru a lot of your videos while I’m at work even multiple times. The video I just finished you said no one likes to take your cuttings, I would pay for your cuttings. I live within 45 min of Seattle area. Thanks for the constant informative videos. For my soil I use Black Gold with added pumice.

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

I have an older video on my indoor setup - you can see it here (this is exactly what I use). kzbin.info/www/bejne/pn3Ro4SiasuNp6ssi=F8xSyYC3N8UJ6dwf Send me an email from my channel page and I will send you some cuttings next time I have too many. Thanks for watching!! And best of luck with your indoor setup.

[@MamaJArk]

Very helpful. I have been struggling with soil selection. Also root rot. Weather has been far wetter than expected and the plants simply were staying wet. Now I have a direction to go. Thank you

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

You’re most welcome! Root rot can be a big problem with succulents in particular. Try the gritty mix, it’s chunky enough that it doesn’t get or stay too wet. Thanks for watching!! ❤️🌲

[@BlueJayBonsai]

Only the Bonsai Supply and Farmer Jacks are available here. Farmer Jacks in only in small quantities here, and is way too expensive. Bonsai Supply is also a bit pricey, but i have used it and like it. (both ship across the border from the US to Canada and that makes it more expensive for us versus for you). I use a mix now of The Bonsai Guru black mix (lava, haydite, pine park), plus I add pumice. I am talking for Portulacaris specifically of course.

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

That is fabulous mix! I have recently been using more academia which they really seem to like as well, but have also had great results with lava, bark, and pumice. Thanks for watching and the great comment, soil is such a personal thing with bonsai. Not sure that I mentioned this previously, but I have really been enjoying your high quality photos of the bonsai shows - just amazing detail, color, lighting, it's fantastic - thank you!

[@Lees_Trees]

I have recently started using The Bonsai Supply mix and really like it.

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

It’s a great mix, I like the shohin size even better - same mix with smaller aggregate size. Thanks for watching Lee!!

[@dkstott29]

All my cactus and portucaria afra are in 100% Bonsai Jack gritty mix. My crassula jades are in Bonsai Jack gritty mix and about 15- 20% Black gold succulent soil. They just dried out too quickly in direct sun here in Connecticut. Bonsai supply soil is good, but I don't like seeing the pumice. Espoma seems to be a nice top dressing..

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

It’s hard to beat Jacks for sure - like you, I also like to add a bit more organic to it for my use and area.

[@dkstott29]

@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom I've scoured the internet and haven't found superfly soil for sale. That's when I moved to Bonsai Jack gritty mix...I've added pine bark fines to it, but I didn't notice much of a difference. The folks at Bonsai Jack recommended adding a cactus and succulent soil to help with moisture retention.

[@pattituringan6745]

Great video, I’m curious since most of your bonsai I’ve seen on your videos are succulent why not a succulent mix? Do you feel there somewhat the same?

[@user-nc8se9in8o]

I only portulacaria afra (dwarf jade) in Cali zone 9-10 and primarily use a succulent mix. An alternative is to make your own with a bag of landscape mix sifted then add some pumice/lava and osmecote. I tried the Bonsai Supply it was ok but pretty pricey for a small bag and it goes quick. The finer particles for that brand is a lot better than the larger particles.

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

Hi Patti! I have tried succulent mixes, but have not been too happy with them when used for bonsai. Most of the ones that I’ve tried contain too much organic or even peat moss which I don’t like. The SuperFly mix in the video is a succulent mix - I love that one. It possible that I just haven’t tried the right succulent mix yet, but I’ve been very happy with straight up bonsai soil for my succulents with great results. The main thing is that you don’t want a soil that gets soggy, holds too much water, or compresses. Best of luck and thanks 🙏 for watching!!! ❤️🌲

[@pattituringan6745]

@@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom okay I’ll have to try that mix. To be honest I don’t have any bonsai, but I love your videos. I do have a lot of cactus and succulents, I use Mollys cactus and succulent mix for them. Thanks.

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

@@user-nc8se9in8oI also like the finer mix and completely agree on the costs. Making your own soil, assuming you need a fair amount of soil, is much much less expensive for sure. For my succulents, I really like using lava - the plants really seem to enjoy that with a bit of bark or other organic mixed in.

[@gallixymike1530]

Unfortunately The Bonsai Supply store is closing down per their new video today 12/18/24. Sorry to see them go

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

Oh no! I have yet to watch it, but does that also mean that their products will no longer get be available? What a shame, they do an amazing job - by far the best widely available everywhere soul I’ve found. Thanks for the information, very much appreciated.

[@gallixymike1530]

@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom it doesn't appear but will keep older youtube but not new videos. No mention if they sold it to someone else

[@gallixymike1530]

They just posted a picture of them on Facebook with the New Owners. Great news for their customers

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

I just watched their video - it’s a bitter sweet situation and I am so glad they posted such a heart warming video. I’m always happy to see young people chasing their dreams and passions and wish them the absolute best in their new pursuits! 😁

[@VictorHHH7]

Very interesting video, I’ve been growing my plants in a cactus soil that is mainly compost and sand with some grit like minerals and I add some perlite, but I’m thinking about using Akadama and Leca horticultural grit, and pine bark for better drainage, it’s confusing for me and they ain’t cheap products in the UK they cost about £40 for 14 litres bags

[@VictorHHH7]

Btw I just checked Amazon and I can buy the bonsai supply soil for £42 a litre - I’ll probably be better off buying bigger bags of the individual ingredients and make my own soil and I’ll have a lifetime supply

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

If what you are using is working, then I’d keep using it! 🤣 I have found that most any soil as long as it is primarily inorganic (aside from pine bark) has worked well for me. I am experimenting with an akadama mix now and I like it, but it is expensive compared to any other option that I’ve tried. One of my favorites is a straight up 70-30 mix of lava and pine bark which seems to work well. Best of luck.

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

@VictorHHH7 its a great soil, but also fairly expensive as you found.

[@VictorHHH7]

@@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom thanks Tom I agree with you if something is working stick with it, only thing is mine isn’t working particularly well and I get a few small gnats that love the compost, in fact I think they come free with every bag I’ve bought so far 😂

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

@@VictorHHH7 More organic would likely solve that problem, but you do have to water a bit more. But, with succulents, the watering is fairly easy as they can take being extremely dry for a very long time.

[@LeakWay-ue3nl]

Can you plant mame in all organic bonsai mix?I have it and recently put catus soil then used it as a top dressing but could I repot in just espoma organic bonsai mix?

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

Absolutely, you would just need to ensure that you adjust your watering so that you allow the tree to dry out between waterings. This is in my list of experiments to try. I have a standard cactus mix that contains quite a lot of fine organics and I am going to repot a tree into it and see how it does. Currently, all my trees are in an inorganic mix - well, it has perhaps 20% fir bark maybe less. So, any soil will work as long as you do not overwater. Thanks for the great question and for watching the channel!! Happy Holidays. ❤️☕️❤️🌲

[@CoffeeandBonsaiwithTom]

The trick is that overwatering succulents is very bad for them and can result in root rot which is why most folks use lots of inorganic - 50% I would say mixed in.

[@LeakWay-ue3nl]

@ Thanks Tom happy holidays as well🙏🎄🎅