organic Vs. Inorganic

I was wondering what's the big fuss on so many different types of soil?
I realize yes, it's the region you live in but.... come on. I feel sorry for the beginner!

Scott

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TreeBay

Dear Mr. Elm

Thank you for this question, it has already become part of the faq!

Some folks are fussy about their soil mixes. Some spend hours sifting ingredients, washing sand and lava. Others spend scary amounts of money on imported Japanese soil and claim their results justify the expense.

Then, there are those who go down to Woolworth's Nursery and buy Whitney Farms Bonsai Soil or pot their trees in Supersoil and report satisfactory results.

There are even growers that have grown trees for years in field soil, a practice we would not recommend for most, but if you live in a Kanuma, Japan, it might work very well.

The determining factors besides how naturally fussy a grower you are:
[*] Where you live[*] How frequently you are able to monitor your trees[*] What kinds of trees you want to grow[*] What size containers you are planting in.[*] What kind of exposure your trees have

If you are living in a hot climate or are unable to water frequently, you need to have a soil mix that retains more moisture. Generally that means adding organic material or some type of clay pellet or shale, like akadama or Turface.

If your trees are very small, you will need to pay a lot of attention to drainage or you will likely have some difficulties. Some beginners lose trees because the pots are so darn small that maintaining proper hydration is a balancing act that an experienced grower would find challenging.

If you are fortunate enough to live in a mild, very temperate climate, you may be able to grow many different common bonsai in the same soil with almost the same watering regime and enjoy good success.

If not, the best advice we can give is

1) Avoid very small bonsai containers. The soil construction and watering practice is less critical in larger containers.
2) Seek the counsel of an experienced bonsai grower in your area. This first-hand advice is worth more than all the words we could write here.

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Soildoc

Scott,

I agree with Treebay's comments. All to often, the soil is neglected as part of the bonsai however, this is the environment that must be ideal to support and supply water and nutrients to the plant roots which are already stressed as they are confined in the bonsai pot. I have spent a lot of time working with different soil mixes trying to find something that is visually appealing while still providing enough moisture to keep my plants going throughout a mid south summer day.

Soildoc

Treebay,

I followed your Whitney Farms link and saw they sell bat guano as well as bonsai soil. Hmm.... I wonder how bat guano holds water?

ripsgreentree

Having kept plants in small pots for fifteen or so years, this is what I have learned. The plants may servive in field soil or potting mix. But!!! If you entend to keep them at the peak of health and vigor then you had better learn about soil and how to use it to help your plants. A tree will servive in bad soil until you apply some technique to it and then it will crash and burn leaving you looking for your next tree.

Doc: congrats on becoming moderator on this soil forum.

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ripsgreentree

It requires an open hand to give and to recieve.

Bonsainut

Rips,
Could not have said it better. If you have to use something to pot you bonsai up with, why not put some thought and effort in it and let the plant really be vigorous, ya know?

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Keep growing,---'Nut



Lethal Use of Farce

bonsaial1

I know one grower that uses only sand and wood chips. 70 percent sand and 30 percent fir shavings. I guess you can't go wrong with this. Excellant drainage and just enough organics. Almost foolproof.

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no.... really!

Literati

It comes down to knowing what % organic/inorganic a tree needs and mixing the soil to suit the tree. The specific components aren't as imortant as the percentage and the particle size. I could see the imported Acadama (sp?) soil fairing 10% better, but not an order of magnitude better. The specialized soil components would be good for the specialized growers with old expensive plants, but I think that for the most part people need to suit the soil to their plants, and that can be done with local compontents. Afterall, the trees/shrubs are growing in the ground locally, so why should you need to import soil from Japan to grow them?

TreeBay

A grower should be able to develop bonsai without importing soils from Japan, but whether the locally available ingredients are suitable for growing container trees really depends on where you live and what performance you're satisfied with. Demands from a soil used with a potted plant are completely different than what you can get away with in the ground. Some soils that work perfectly well on the macroscopic scale are terrible potting soils.

On the other hand, it's possible to grow trees successfully. in 100% inorganic mixtures. Have you seen the roots of a Satsuki Azalea grown in Kanuma (yellow opalescent volcanic soil) vs. Peat moss? It's pretty phenomenal!

Regards,

Matt

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