Ficus soil?

Misspeled_Name

What kind of soil should I use for a ficus? I have been working on my own mix of small lava rock, Dri-Zit, compost, small rock, and a little sand. Do you think this would work good? It is very free draining.

Any other mixes would be great!

Thanks.

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Repotter

I'm a firm believer in "keep it simple." The fewer the ingredients the better. My mix is ten parts aged pine bark, six parts Turface, and 4 parts composted soil or Michigan peat which is a rich dark soil. Note* Nothing at all like Canadian peat.

I have used this mix for about 15 years for all my tropicals as well as my winter hardy trees here in Michigan.

So if 3 ingredients works so well why use more? Every bonsai person has thier own favorite mix. You will get a lot of different answers to this question.

Hector

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sauce

I agree with Hector, keep it simple. I am in the process of trying a new mix for my Ficus. 25% Turface, 25% lava rock, and 50% pine bark. I don't know about DriZit but a lot of commercial products break down quickly in soil so be sure of what you are using. If your soil is free draining and doesn't compact the roots it is probably okay but you don't need five ingredients to have good soil for Ficus. Your climate has a lot to do with your soil mix as well.

Misspeled_Name

Thank you both. Could say 2 or parts river rock (small) and 1 part compost work good?

Will_Heath

Speaking of simple...

For my ficus, I use 50% lava rock and 50% uncomposted fir bark. The figs love it.



Will

sauce

It would help to know where you are. Being in Fl. I want to use a water retentive soil but if you are in a climate where your trees will be indoors for half the year you might need something less. What you propose sounds reasonable but here again you have to study the way your soil works in your particular climate. You don't want it to dry out too quickly nor do you want it to stay wet for too long. Does this mix work for you year round Will? Just curious since I would have thought in the northern states you would use less than 50% organics. That's interesting.

Will_Heath

Remember, I said "uncomposted" fir bark. The bark is in 1/8 inch chunks, reddish in color and does not crumble, it holds some water and will break down somewhat over time but nothing like composted bark does. This fir bark is a staple in my mixes for all species. The lava rock I use is also 1/8 inch in size.

This mix works extremly well here in Michigan, my figs have improved greatly since I switched to it. The drainage is fast but the water retention in my climate is decent. During July and August, I have to water every day, thoughout the winter inside I have to water about every 2nd day due to the dry air.


Will

sauce

My Ficus never come indoors but that is the same watering regimen I prefer for them. It seems to suit them quite well. Mispelled, this is what you should shoot for with your soil. As I said not too dry but at the same time not too wet.

Misspeled_Name

I'm in zone 6, So I think a nice 50/50 would work nice .