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Dallas Bonsai Plants And Supplies Article
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What Soil Should Be Used for Bonsai?
from: Lawn and Garden Magic
One of the keys to successfully growing bonsai is using the right bonsai soil. Some growers use ready-mix bonsai soil they've purchased at nurseries or garden centers, but this can be quite expensive. Since there is a lot of repotting required during spring, bonsai gardeners tend to learn how to mix their own soil.
If you decide to do this, you'll discover there's a good variety of soil ingredients you'll be able to use. To begin with, choosing the best type of soil to use can be difficult. Since the long term health of the bonsai tree depends so much on the soil, you must use bonsai soil that can hold moisture and nutrients needed by the plant to thrive and grow.
The soil you use should be able to hold water well, but also allow excess water to drain quickly so there is no build up of salts. The soil should also have good air intake, which is also vital, plus your soil mix should have small gaps to ensure the roots will get enough air. By using a well-mixed inorganic soil, air will be allowed to continually flow into the soil. So be aware that packed down organic soil could hinder water and air flow which is liable to cause damage to the roots.
Organic bonsai soil is made from dead plant substances such as peat, dead leaves and bark. Inorganic bonsai soil is composed of fired clays and volcanic lava and is available at your favorite garden center or nursery.
Most bonsai plants need soil that is good at water retention as well as being able to drain excess water, but some species have other specific requirements for the intake of nutrients and water. A good example is Pine and Juniper trees, which need less water intake and therefore require soil that is less-water-retentive. On the other hand, flowering and fruit-bearing species must have soil mixes that provide a high level of water retention.
If you're going to be mixing your own bonsai soil, the percentage of water-holding material depends on the specific specie of your tree. For free-draining soils, use a high ration of grit by adding it in to make the soil drain all excess water while at the same time increasing the amount of water-holding material, thus increasing the retention of water in the soil.
Having the right knowledge and procedures reagarding what soil to use is critical for maintaining a healthy and beautiful bonsai tree. It's okay to start off using a ready-mixed bonsai soil from a nursery or garden center the first few times but keep in mind that the use of inorganic soil is usually recommended.
While there isn't one particular soil ideal for growing bonsai, once you've done some experimenting using various types of soils for different species of bonsai trees, you'll be able to more easily determine the best choice.
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