Make your own bonsai soil - my recipe for bonsai soil

Рет қаралды 24,522

3 жыл бұрын

Here is my simple recipe for bonsai soil that works for me. Also how I go about putting it together and the reasons why.
#bonsai #bonsaiworx #bonsaisoil

Пікірлер: 67

@matthewwood4008 3 жыл бұрын

As a bricklayer The maple stand out of plumb behind you is triggering me Love your videos👍

@howva 3 жыл бұрын

I use pumice, zeolite and pine bark 1:1:1. I use zeolite just to stretch the mix. Zeolite is so cheap compared to the other two components. Only been using this mix for 3 years and am coming up to the first repotting of my pre bonsai. I'm excited to see how the roots are doing!

@andreasleiker262 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks ! Good explanation and soil mixture ! :)

@GraftingTactick 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the bonsai mixed recipe 👌

@JesusChrist4ever 2 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed this videos man thanks

@BonsaiCornwall 11 ай бұрын

Just subbed mate, this is an awesome video on soil. Thanks 😊

@braydengraves2283 2 жыл бұрын

The best mix for me is Perlite, pete moss, pine bark, and some regular potting soil

@-ChrisD 3 жыл бұрын

Great video! Thanks for sharing :)

@aysinduarte 3 жыл бұрын

Nice to see another Melburnian into Bonsais :) luckily we hsbe this hobby to keep us occupied during lockdowns. Thank you for the recipe

@heresjonny. Жыл бұрын

I am trying out a mix of sand, pearlite, and pine bark. Going to add some pea gravel next to get what I am looking for. Something that is free draining yet holds some moisture, I live in zone 8 so the summers get nasty. I have my juniper in this mix currently, waiting for signs of good or bad news for the next few weeks 👍. I want to be able to water once a day in the summer or something like every 3 to 5 days.

@rebeccahunter725 3 жыл бұрын

We are still waiting for the cold to ease up here in the Ranges, so I am a few weeks off repotting, but should probably start thinking about mixes. Just at the start of my experimental journey, but given how dry my summers are, I think I need a little more organic, or another water holding component. Fun and games, and fingers crossed we are "out" again for the next meeting!

@valentinegirly6718 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for this

@katyb2793 3 жыл бұрын

I've been using osmocote orchard mix, sand, slow release osmocote and woolies kitty litter (it's a clay one), not sure what ratio, I eye ball it. But probably roughly 4 parts osmocote orchard mix, 2 parts kitty litter and one part sand. It's definitely free draining and the plants seem to really love it. The osmocote particles are definitely too big, and I'm on the fence about the sand. But it works! It also holds moisture probably a bit longer than what others would like, but I can't water as often as I would like so it works for me. This was a really helpful video, thanks!

@mercamg9312 10 ай бұрын

Hi. Are you still happy with the kitty litter. Does it break down into dust eventually and clog up. cheers

@katyb2793 10 ай бұрын

@@mercamg9312 so far so good! I think the kitty litter is the last thing to break down. But I've only been learning bonsai for 4 years. My trees are all young so they've never gone longer than 2 years without a repot. But I find the pine bark is the one to disintegrate first. Which country are you in? My kitty litter is 100% zeolite, a volcanic clay. I wouldn't use any other ingredients. A lot of them are paper etc. Also be careful, a lot of ppl have problems with added chemicals to the kitty litter, killing their trees. I didn't know and got lucky. Also, always wear a mask! Even when changing your cat's kitty litter. The dust particles are extremely bad for your lungs. Good luck!

@katyb2793 10 ай бұрын

@@mercamg9312 also, I realised I tweaked my soil mix since this comment. I now use much smaller particles of composted pine bark, the kitty litter and River sand.

@mercamg9312 10 ай бұрын

I'm in the lucky country and Melb. l just shopped at woollies and forgot to get kitty litter. darn. Coles has plenty as well including clay litter. just tried to get some perlite scoria or pebbles in 7mm from garden nursery but they were closed sundays.Thanks.

@katyb2793 10 ай бұрын

@@mercamg9312 we truly are the lucky country! Ah darn it bout woolies! It's impossible to go without forgetting something 😅 I've only tried woolies one, but good thing is it's cheap lol! Good luck!

@brucedeacon28 3 жыл бұрын

👌

@PrototypeBMX 3 жыл бұрын

thanks

@wadmadhushan4434 3 жыл бұрын

Super

@BrendonVS80 2 жыл бұрын

Very cool video, thank you David. Weird question.. My trees are in development stages and far from refinement and I got akadama and pumice as a gift . 18ltr each. So I’ve been using a mix of both for most of my development trees, deciduous and evergreens. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to use soils that are typically only used for refinement material?

@aussielass5621 2 жыл бұрын

I'm just starting, still in idea & research phase

@minidisc02 3 жыл бұрын

Hi David you mentioned this ratio of 4-1 requires watering 3 times a day in summer. If I can only manage to water once a day (before work) what would you suggest for the ratio of pumice - pine bark?

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

Probably 50/50. Just need to then be careful in winter it doesn’t stay too wet. I hardly water in winter.

@anthonysanchez3067 2 жыл бұрын

Use a bit of moisture control soil in the mix to water it less frequently.

@sonichedgehog8723 3 жыл бұрын

I never see any Americans doing bonsai videos. We must be too busy doing nothing. Nice video.

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

There are a lot of top quality Americans doing bonsai videos like Bjorn Bjorholm.

@kaveeshamunasinghe9235 3 жыл бұрын

Hey David where do you buy soil components from? Bunnings sell pine bark but couldn't find pumice

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

I get my pumice from Damian at Dirtbags and pine bark nuggets from Orchid clubs.

@MrFsudude 3 жыл бұрын

Hey David, would you use this same mix for your pre bonsai?

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

I use my recycled bonsai mix mixed in with a good potting mix. After I repot a tree I asses the soil it came out of and after I wash and sieve the old soil, I will reuse it for my stock plants/pre bonsai.

@MrFsudude 3 жыл бұрын

@@Bonsaiworx Great, thanks David

@paulfenn9693 3 жыл бұрын

That’s pretty much what I use in England

@bobmccarlie382 3 жыл бұрын

Do you use this mix with both deciduous and conifers?

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

Yep I use the same for all my trees.

@garrycarter8485 Жыл бұрын

HI. I AM JUST STARTING ON BONSAI. I HAVE A QUESTION I WANTED TO ASK YOU. I THINK I HAVE HEARD THAT SOME PEOPLE PUT A LAYER OF SMALL RIVER GRAVEL IN THE BOTTOM OF THE POT BEFORE THE SOIL TO KEEP THE ROOTS FROM SETTING IN WATER. DO YOU RECOMMEND DOING THIS. PLEASE LET ME HEAR FROM YOU. ALSO WHERE YOU USE WIRE TO BEND THE BRANCHES HOW LONG DO YOU LEAVE THE WIRE ON BEFORE REMOVING IT. ENJOYED YOUR VIDEO

@Bonsaiworx Жыл бұрын

I don’t bother with a gravel layer as my mix is really open. Wire is left on until it is getting slightly tight and just cutting into the branch.

@garrycarter8485 Жыл бұрын

@@Bonsaiworx THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ADVISE AND THANK YOU FOR HELPING OUT PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST STARTING ON THIS

@sheriefkamal787 9 ай бұрын

Dear, can I use crushed Dolomite in mixture instead of pumice. Thanx

@Bonsaiworx 9 ай бұрын

Sorry I’m not sure. I can only give advice on things that I have tried. Sorry I can’t be of help.

@1cleandude Жыл бұрын

Great video but how does the plant get nutrients? Thanks 🙏

@Bonsaiworx Жыл бұрын

Fertiliser in the growing seasons.

@kestane123chesmo Жыл бұрын

@@Bonsaiworx hi, what kind of fertilizer should we use ? does the pine bark invite gnats ? im keeping my trees in an enclosed patio, pests are drivinv me crazy

@Bonsaiworx Жыл бұрын

Use anything you can get your hands on. I don’t have issues with gnats as the soil drains and dries out really well.

@roehle9962 3 жыл бұрын

is this mix suited for deciduous trees?

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

I use this for all my trees.

@roehle9962 3 жыл бұрын

@@Bonsaiworx thanks, ill order some as soon as possible :)

@aussielass5621 2 жыл бұрын

Will this mix for bonsai fruit trees?

@Bonsaiworx 2 жыл бұрын

I use for all my tree including plum tree.

@joaopereira6435 2 жыл бұрын

Can I use Perlite instead of pumice?

@Bonsaiworx 2 жыл бұрын

Perlite is very light and can wash away when watering. I don’t use it but it’s worth a try if you want to give it a go.

@joaopereira6435 2 жыл бұрын

@@Bonsaiworx Thanks for your answer. I live in a small island of Portugal, i dont have access to Akadama, pumice or that "oil absorver". I was thinking in, 35% Perlite, 30% contruction gravel or river sand, 10% pine bark and 25% organic soil. What you think about this? Again, thanks for your help and awesome videos.

@mercamg9312 10 ай бұрын

hi David. is Dirtbags still a good price? i dont have facebook , so can l pick up in melb? where is his location? is the bunnings perlite any good 25L for $30. cheers

@Bonsaiworx 10 ай бұрын

Yep dirtbags is a great mix and used by many experienced members in Melbourne. His number is 0412 698 259. I don’t use perlite however it should be the same product no matter where you buy it.

@andrewt1176 3 жыл бұрын

Guessing you got the pumice awhile ago.. struggling to get it at the moment…

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

Have you tried Damien from dirt bags? Yeah I got a batch last year and had two left for this year.

@andrewt1176 3 жыл бұрын

@@Bonsaiworx yeah he’s taking a day off next week sometime to pick some up. He’s having trouble because of the syd lockdown. Is that Grim Elder’s that puts fertilizer in his mix?

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

Yep it sure is grim elder however i think you need to water extensively especially in summer.

@katyb2793 3 жыл бұрын

@@Bonsaiworx where do you buy your pine bark?

@Bonsaiworx 3 жыл бұрын

@@katyb2793 I get it from the orchid club where one of our committee members belongs to.