How to Grow Bonsai Trees : What Type of Soil is Necessary for Bonsai Trees

[yuukhrish096]

does we need to put moss on top of the pot????

[bonsaiforu]

I am from China and my family has grown bonsai for over 50 years. I can't agree with the soil choice given in this video. Using this type soil will require additional watering and fertilizing during everyday care. We still believe traditional potting soil is the best medium for bosai, just add some lava sand or even just normal sand to improve the drainage will be enough.

[mookiesmiles]

If you don't have anything nice to say don't say it at all. If you do like the videos don't watch em.... easy as that

[pandabear102409]

What soil was that you used?

[l0oAzizo0l]

so what's the best type of soil?

[zanychimp]

I'm growing my li'l oakie in compost. Seems like it's doing well, but could this hurt it?

[SanRafaelSwell]

@zanychimp

If the compost isn't both "well done", sterilized and sifted, it could cause root rot. Bonsai soil requires good to excellent drainage. When you water the tree, the water should flow through the pot rather quickly (with in 5 seconds for a larger pot, even sooner in a small pot). Add some sort of "stony" material that is good at retaining moisture without breaking down quickly. Decomposed granite is by far my favorite choice. (cont.)

[zanychimp]

@SanRafaelSwell the drainage is fairly good in this compost. I have moss in there too, and I use the moss to tell me when to water it.

[SanRafaelSwell]

@zanychimp

Technically the sand and gravel that I use (sifted to size) isn't granite, it is quartz monzonite. It is readily available for free where I live. It has an okay porosity but it is very tough and holds up really well. I actually reuse it, sifting it out of the "waste soil" produced from repotting. Horticultural grit is sold at most good garden centers and isn't all that expensive most of the time.

[GraMar89]

I've just started out with Bonsai Trees and it isn't looking too healthy at the moment. Is there any kind of emergency plan, any techniques you use to reinvigorate a poorly looking tree?

Do I continue to prune or let it grow a little rough first to build itself up again.

I can't seem to find any advice on this anywhere.

[AvinashKhemlani]

@GraMar89

Do not continue to prune if the tree is unhealthy! I suggest buying a book for tips on care...if it looks unhealthy it could be because of it not having enough water, sunlight, watering at the wrong time a day, roots have ovrgrown, roots are rotting, fungus, instects,etc..

[geepmans]

knows anyone a spiccie that i can use as a indoor bonsai tree??

[RoxasHiakaru]

Conifer. I got one, PM, Ill Show you, I got a myspace I could show you some cool tips! :D

[geepmans]

ok i would like that ty

[UsoDurakovic]

You can get anything tropical; Ficus is the most popular and easiest to grow, just remember that whatever plant you get indoors that it needs humidity and sunlight. If you have a green thumb go for a plant/tree with flowers for these are a little more challenging to cultivate because of humidity requirements but they're stunning, hope this help.

[eriklares90]

i keep hearing that for a clean soil substitute you can use long strand sphagnum moss.

[SanRafaelSwell]

@eriklares90

I wouldn't recommend it because sphagnum will retain too much water and could cause root rot. A cheap substitute that seems to be gaining popularity is cat litter or oil dry (sp?). I haven't tried either but I've heard good things about them. They are both forms of fired clay, something that is very similar to akadama clay. My soil mix is generally 1 part decomposed granite, 1 part horticultural grit and .5 part "plant matter" from my compost that has been sifted and boiled.

[SanRafaelSwell]

@eriklares90

To continue, I will change this recipe up a bit depending on the species. For junipers I add a little home made charcoal and for pines I use about .25 parts "plant matter" or even less.

[HermodTuft]

ficus benjamina is great for indoor's bonsai, so is ficus microcarpa ginseng :)

[SanRafaelSwell]

@HermodTuft

Ficus benjamina is probably the worst Ficus species for bonsai. Back budding is difficult and it is extremely apically dominant. All this adds up to difficulty when it comes to keeping foliage near the trunk. Defoliating a branch can kill the whole branch if you don't keep a leaf or bud on the tip to draw sap. There are MUCH better species of fig to use, microcarpa being one of the best. F. benjamina is often used simply because it is easy to find.

[Bownchkabownwow]

bonsai bonsai bonsai

[Jazzzzlover]

What's funny is flowerereachnutz are both hateful BRITS. I've noticed most brits are.

[monkofdark123]

huh brits arnt hateful?

[WiseManFoolMan]

I'm British and im not hateful You will always get people of diffrent nationalities being hateful You are making out as if every 'Brit' is hateful how narrow minded are you.... Hateful Humans need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Just because one or two 'Brits' are hateful don't mean ALL of them are.. And what do you expect anyway your comment is offensive of course you are going to get hateful remarks.

[shadowplage]

my bonsai soil is blacker and it has some kind of rocks in it that break realy easy

[jerememi]

where do we get this kind of soil? the video is interesting, but the teacher should at least be a little bit lively. i almost fell asleep listening to him lol

[Flowreach]

for an expert you know jakshit

[werenutz]

Flowreach, what was the rational behind your negative comment ? If your I.Q matches your spelling then I will not be surprised if you are unable to give a reasonable answer. Dont worry, I wont be holding my breath for anything intelligent !!! Chill.

[Flowreach]

i love how everyone always refures to spelling

FYI im dyslexic and maybe you should have conciderd that because insulting my spelling because im not proud of it and im trying very hard to deal with it THANKYOU VERY FUCKING MUCH!

Now in future concider that you might be insulting people with disorders they cant help

and all i mean was this man taught me nothing and i was angry because theres fuck all on youtube to help me with my bonsai. thankfuly im looking after it quite well on my own

[werenutz]

Flowreach, you crack me up. You sure your not confusing dyslexia with 'touretts' what a toilet mouth you have. May I suggest anger management as part of your programme also. Oh, I too have learning difficulties & I have Bonsai, get a grip & stop feeling sorry for yourself !!

[Flowreach]

lmao funny you should say that.

i do also have mild touretts but it involves me making noises not swareing.

and feeling sorry for myself is what i do best chick.

[Flowreach]

for the record i dont give a flying toss what you think x)

grow up get a grip and get out more cas this world aint fucking perfect.

[werenutz]

what was the point of that eh ?

[Flowreach]

you can remove the comment but i still received it in my mail.

[werenutz]

Your funny Flowreach, you were supposed to get that comment, I didnt want the bonsai man thinking it was for him. Oh, and for what its worth, congratulations, you got a sentence out without swearing - - -HOOORAHH !!!!!

[Flowreach]

Lmao. dont be so patronising. people wont ever like you that way! :)

[werenutz]

not a problem Flowreach, being liked is so over-rated anyway - - - - - -glad I made you laugh ! Dont take so long in replying next time - - - -I missed you ;-)

[Flowreach]

Hahaha oh sorry, you see i have a life.

And yeh being liked is over rated.. but hey. if everyone hates you. your never gunna get anywere in life. and your bonsai tree wont like you either.

[werenutz]

My bonsai loves me, well it did but I'v just pruned & re-shaped it so maybe my little pine tree hates me now ? We we're such good friends untill I chopped it all up. Do you think it needs therapy?

[Flowreach]

Yes.

[werenutz]

Ok, I'll book it in for a course of arboreal therapy :-)

[nocomplygumbo]

@Flowreach, and werenutz:

Stop embarrassing yourselves.

[werenutz]

Strangely I dont feel remotely embarrassed - - - - - lighten-up !!

[Johnny42819]

seriously, like little children fighting.and over what?

[S7J6]

what are the ingredients for the soil?????????

[jeremynorbury]

Grit, clay granules (akadama, oildri, turface, seramis), lava chips, pine bark.

[niyantgala]

Hi guys..was just wondering if you can use coco coir as a bonsai growing medium. well its gonna be a soiless option. Is it possible. It drains well...but i feel it hold more water to my liking.Just wanted to know if some one has considered using it

[s38034]

my bonsai tree is mature and its also pretty healthy and 4 a good bonsai u need.....

1.good sunlight from either east or west.

2.also wet the leaves because they grow greener.

3.trim the dead roots in a 12 months or 16.

and hey i'm just a kid with an awesome bonsai

i suggest a false cypress the r easier to take care of.

[Gozz6]

how old is your bonsai?

[s38034]

six years

do u hav one Gozz6

and soz 4 my english, my com laggs

[Gozz6]

yeah, I have two. One chinese Elm and another Fukien Tea the Elm is about 6 years old and the Tea about 4-5. there really Nice trees.

[s38034]

nice

is a chinese elm hard to keep?

[Gozz6]

Naa there really easy probably the easiest to keep the Fukien Tea is hard though.

[s38034]

yeah my grandpa owns one

[sterg2551]

I'm still not sold on how regular potting soil can harm the bonsai as he said. If anyone can give me a solid reason why that would be, I'd appreciate it. I just think it's a ploy for this guy to sell his bonsai soil mix.

[sterg2551]

ah ah okay. I like this comment below "WHY? Bonsais are normal, healthy trees. What is good for the wild 30 meters high pine is also good for 30 cm high pine bonsai."

[Gozz6]

I was with you, I didn't think it would make a diffrence. BUT, they say it holds too much water and will rot the roots. If it's true or not I dont know, but thats the reason given.

[sterg2551]

I could see how that is true. I am now a believer! None of my bonsai are very old so it could be a reason why I never thought it to be important to protect the tree. Thanks!

[zzzxppix]

potting soil holds too much water ... you need a fast draining soil ... with a good soil mix its almost imposiable to over water your bonsai ... i did say almost ,, because i know people do kill thier bonsai by too much watering ... if you are interested in bonsai try reading a book or do some online reading it will really help you ...

[crappyface321]

i have a bonsai tree i bought at an asian store and its about 5 inches tall and its in a pot thats about the diameter of a pool table and 5 or so inches tall.

its also winter where i live and i have to keep it inside and i have a couple questions.

1. Do i need to change it into a new pot?

2. Should i keep it by a window all day?

3. A few of the leavs' tips are brown, should i be worried?(ive checked the bark with my fingernail and its still green so i know its not dead)

[bosanac2nv]

dude u get get bonsai soil from most bunnings warehouse stores

[pavsoukup]

Frequently asked question:

"Do I realy have to use this soil?"

No, you don't. Or you can use a mixture of akadama and soil where the trees grow in nature.

Useful is also plant a tree in this natural soil and cover the top with akadama - it will show you if the tree is well watered. (But this will make difficult to grow moss on the surface.)

WHY? Bonsais are normal, healthy trees. What is good for the wild 30 meters high pine is also good for 30 cm high pine bonsai.

[myrnalalo]

Where can i get that soil?

[Orangeotterpop]

Its normally called Akadama soil , you can purchase it easily online .  Or local bonsai nursery.

[myrnalalo]

ok ty :)

[flabbywalrus]

I would pick a ficus

They are the only real one's to grow indoors

[ilovesweety101]

i planted a seed in regular potting soil (first time haha beginner)should i take the seed out or wait till it grows a litttle then re-plant it into bonsai soil , or can i just leave it in there???

[akinderreality]

well, if you are going to grow from a seed, its gonna be several years before you can start training it as a bonsai, so in the meantime I would recomend the book "Bonsai School" by Craig Coussins

[usrnamedenied]

can someone help me to choose a bonsai? I would like to have an ever-green bonsai that grows indoors , unfortunately I cannot use a juniperus as they only grow outside :(

[pwner560]

Actually you could have a juniper inside. They just need at least 2 hours of sunlight though, as long as you have that it'll be okay. Have fun with your juniper bonsai tree, the best looking one XD

[usrnamedenied]

thanks, but I've found other tree's that look very nice.

[maheidhurtz]

Reasonable but very scarce on detail. Its VERY important if you wash away some of the soil that you go and buy some!! no sh**n Sherlock

Akadama, fine grit and a small splattering of bark chips.

Or works just as well Kittydama as its known around here. (danish pink) cat litter :)

[holiein]

Is it possible to plant your bonsai in your garden? whithout the pot i mean?

Could i use a young plant from outside?

Maybe its best to buy a bonsai from a store?

I live in norway and i dont think that it's easy to get bonsai's here... great videos! :) love 'em!

[bcwoodcarver]

any perrenial from outside will make the best bonsai.

[cardbordbox]

keeping a bonsai in a small container is to keep the plant growing slow, keep the root small and foilage small. if it is grown in the ground the roots will grow alot then the tree will try to ballance by growing alot of foilage

[monkyspnk777]

That soil looks to be mighty dusty, i use redrock and screened bark myself.

[PitPat23]

wow, thnx

[drdevilboy]

Gotta love this guy's gut! Incredibly sexy! Love the widened belly button or shall I say lint-sweat cheese collector!

[Hrothnar]

Very good clips. Im gonna start making my own tree!