This is the soil mix we use in the nursery to ensure our Bonsai grow vigorously and stay healthy. It is a standard mix used to ensure drainage, aeration and just enough moisture retention.
Depending on the Bonsai or Pre-Bonsai being potted we add substrates like Akadama, Pumice, Lava Rock, Vermiculite, Perlite, Kanuma and others. But this is the basis for most of the substrate mixtures we use and recommend.
Base Substrate Mix:
Soil (Substrate)
Bonsai soils are usually a mixture of organic potting compost (Pine Bark or Forest Floor), Akadama, pumice, lava rock in varying amounts.
It is important for the soil have good water retention while also draining well, along with very good aeration. The quality of the soil directly affects the health, size and growth of your tree. One of the worst things you can do to your tree is plant it in regular garden soil. Garden soil hardens when it drys and can often lead to a disadvantage when growing a Bonsai.
Soil mixtures can be purchased here, but given their weight and cost of shipping, you can also easily make your own.
Depending on the type of Bonsai you're growing, here are the general formulas for successful mixtures.
Deciduous Tree (Leafy and looses leafs in the fall)
10% Potting Compost
Coniferous Tree (Evergreen like Juniper, Cedar)
If you are not able to check on your Bonsai's moisture levels daily, add more Akadama to the mix.
Given how these soils erode over time, repotting every 2-3 years is required.
Here are some suitable replacements if you cannot find the recommended types of soil.
One of the best and easiest ways to fertilize your Bonsai, is to add a liquid fertilizer mix when water your Bonsai's once a month during the spring/summer. If your Bonsai looses leaves in the winter there is no need to fertilize it then. If you have a coniferous tree, fertilizing the tree once in the beginning of winter and once in the middle of winter should be sufficient.
We love the plants going to post it on tiktok so my followers can see and hoping they fell in love with it like I do
Just as pictured, great quality and quantity
The mix is amazing my jade plant feels so alive and refreshed
Excellent for my bonsai
Good stuff.
