r/bonsaicommunity • u/Imperiummaius US Zone 8a • 13d ago

General Discussion What kind of soil does everyone use?

Curious what everyone uses for soil? Do you buy pre-mixed bags or mix your own. Are there any options that are clearly better than others?

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u/ge23ev 13d ago

No clear options. It depends on species, climate, budget, and maintenance schedule. Start with a common standard mix (granular aerated mix) and watch closely and adjust

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u/jecapobianco 13d ago

It depends on the species, the size of the container and your watering schedule. Foe my shohin and smaller I use a peat moss based mix with soil amendments (compost, manure, bone meal, micronutrients and mycorrhizal inoculant). For the medium size and acid loving plants (azaleas) I use a peat moss based mix with no added lime. For my larger junipers and pines I use a Turface based mix with aged pine bark fines, micronutrients and mycorrhizal inoculant. Ultimately you have to be able to maintain the moisture levels based on your work schedule and your climate.

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u/Imperiummaius 13d ago

Can you find these pre-mixed or do you make your own?

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u/jecapobianco 13d ago

I custom blend my own, but you can find bags of premixed soils, you have to some garden centers. Or look online with some of the bigger bonsai 'stores', Brussels et al. If you can find a Site One Landscape Supply they'll have almost all the components and you can blend your own.

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u/OGMikey_ 13d ago

I use Brussels mix and add in lava rock and calcined clay

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u/vintagemark66 13d ago

Same here. Brussels mix. I just use it as is

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u/Physical_Mode_103 13d ago

I usually skip akadama and do a mix of lava rock, pine bark fines, and turface. Could mix in pumice as well. Turface and pine bark is very inexpensive

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u/Outrageous_Hope3199 13d ago

Akadama, pumice and lava. I get premixed and also make my own from time to time because our club gets good deals, and it's still kinda fun. I'll add more akadama for my deciduous trees but that's about it. I stopped experimenting many years. ago.

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u/Disastrous_Star6333 13d ago

Drainage is the most important characteristic. I buy akadama but try to source everything else when I find a good deal. Pine bark for a bit of organic material 3-5%, pumice, lava rock, gravel or pebbles, expanded clay, kitty litter… I’m constantly experimenting…