Why & How it differs from houseplant or garden soil
Soil Composition
Soil composition is easily the most debated topic in all of bonsai.
Precisely because in the details it can be as individual as the circumstances in which you use it.
However, The overall principles are widely accepted:
Bonsai soil is: A mixture of inorganic and organic materials in large course particles that enhance aeration and drainage while still retaining moisture and nutrients. This helps to promote a healthy fibrous feeder root system.
Many pros use strictly inorganic mixes which require dedicated watering and fertilizer routines. Their efforts are rewarded with spectacular growth.
Soil mixtures & your local conditions
It is important to have a soil mixture that works for your conditions.
IE: What works perfectly in arid Mesa, AZ would retain way to much moisture for someone in rainy Seattle, WA. The 'Seattle mix' would dry out too quickly for Kansas City...etc.
This is why it is important to understand the function of your soil wrt its components. Hopefully the links below will help you come to a better understanding of what your bonsai require in their pot.
Considering you cannot do one without the other, I have posted some links that have to do with bonsai soil, Repotting, And Root Pruning.
As you study these links you will find a wealth of experience and opinions. They may differ slightly but each is working for that persons environment.
This is a key issue to address. Often people ask 'What is the best soil mix for [Random tree type/location]?' This question has as many different answers as there are variables [and people] involved in bonsai itself.
Factors to consider when choosing a soil mix
Species/Age/Development of the tree, Location [Both geographic and wrt indoors or out.], Schedule [Some materials break down quicker than others.], Personal Schedule [Some people use a more organic water retentive mix as they have less time in their schedule to attend to watering, Use caution w/ this approach.], Materials available [Not all soil components are universally available, There are plenty of other options] Budget, etc...
With so many factors, It's no wonder there is no 'perfect soil.'
Here are some links to pictures of soil that is used by members of this forum:
Keep in mind that what your seeing is not a topdressing, It is identical to the entire contents of the pot.
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/rjj/bonsai%20stuff/atcfb.jpg
https://img120.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ficusbpandoraforestplan2iv.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v517/rjj/trident%20maple/a6.jpg
https://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1025xf0.jpg
https://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc01401zz6.jpg
https://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y200/cobra198/IMG_7178.jpg
https://img87.imageshack.us/img87/3356/aug2006hy2.jpg
Now take a look in your pot, There may be room for improvement.
Want to know more? Dig deeper into soil and it's composition by visiting these sites:
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Soils.html
https://www.bonsailearningcenter.com/Tips&Advice/soil.htm
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/soils.htm
[url=https://www.memobug.com/csn/csn.cgi?database=ronmartin%2edb&command=viewone&id=9&rnd=960.5995123805917]Bonsai Soil Primer[/url]
[url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990220073704/https://www.gtii.com/deanbull/twocents.htm]The Bonsai Growing Medium[/url]
https://users.stargate.net/~rocketmn/soil.htm
https://www.dallasbonsai.com/bonsai_tree_care_TomM_soil.html
If after reading the links you still have additional questions about bonsai soil, Please ask them at this thread: https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3530 and we will do our best.
REPOTTING & ROOT PRUNING
Why, When, How, Do I have everything I need, What's all this then?
All of this and more answered about Repotting & Root pruning in the links below.
Bonsai is container gardening, Often in small containers. Usually, Bonsai are in training pots while in development.
[Sometimes, {For years in fact.} They are in much larger pots or grow boxes to allow for more growth until the final stages of refinement are reached.]
Repotting
'Repotting' is moving them from one container to another, It's best done just before the end of dormancy for temperate trees. Bonsai are usually repotted either due to their needing a larger/smaller pot for training purposes or for aesthetic reasons.
Repotting and the tree's root system
In order for our trees to survive in their restricted environment, it is important to insure they have a healthy and productive root system.
In a container the roots will eventually colonize the entire volume of the pot. [Become rootbound] It then becomes more difficult to obtain water/nutrients and as a result, New growth will slow down.
Root Pruning
In normal container culture it would simply be 'potted up.' Since in bonsai the pot is part of the design, Root pruning and the addition of fresh soil will be required if you wish for it to remain in the same pot.
The best time of year to do this with temperate trees is spring [preferably] or late fall as it is a stressful procedure. [Damaging the trees ability to absorb nutrients and water.] Tropical trees may be root pruned at any point provided they are not in a growth spurt.
A loose outline of the root pruning process:
Essentially, root pruning is the removal of the tree from the pot. Combing out the root system [A tool called a root hook is often used for this though anything resembling a screwdriver bent at a 90 degree angle will work] Trimming away up to 30% of the root system [Up to 50% -species dependant.]
While your tree is out of the pot the roots require misting so they do not dry out.
This pruning promotes root division, which allows for more of the fine feeder roots that actually feed the tree. What you are trying to do is to keep as many of the white feeder roots as possible while shortening [or eliminating] any thick roots [Which are for storage], including those growing downward which prevent planting in a shallow pot. [Except of course the nebari or surface roots, you want to keep those.]
Place your tree on a mound of fresh soil in your pot and backfill in with more soil using a chopstick to tap the soil down into air pockets and gaps in the root system. You will find far more soil goes in than you expect.
After a repot
After a repot it is not a bad idea [if your pot is small enough.] to give it a watering using the submersion method, 10 minutes is fine. Chances are it will have settled again so make sure you have lots of soil handy.
Dive in and get your hands dirty.
Get to the bottom of Repotting and Root Pruning, Learn more by visiting these sites:
Is it rootbound? https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/rootball.htm
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/BasicsWhen%20to%20Repot%20your%20Bonsai.htm
https://www.dallasbonsai.com/bonsai_tree_care_TomM_repotting.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Repotting1.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Repotting2.html
https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basicsrepotting3barerooting.htm
https://home.hiwaay.net/~fjw/rootpruning_repotting.htm
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/rootprun.htm
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/rootprsd.htm
https://www.evergreengardenworks.com/fallpot.htm
https://www.bonsaikc.com/repotting_your_bonsai.htm
https://www.bonsaikc.com/repotting_technique.htm
This information will give both you and your trees a solid foundation to grow on. I hope it will be utilized by you to the benefit of both your trees and your enjoyment of bonsai.
If you have read this far you deserve a reward, Here is one less thing to worry about:
Often it is said 'Do not mist in strong sunlight as it will scorch the leaves.' There are some who feel that this is a myth:
There are[url=https://www.bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics%20Bonsai%20Myths%20Misting.htm]professional bonsai artists[/url] who pay this no heed as they see no evidence for it. [Remember, They make their living with their trees.]
Some science: [A highly respected bonsai artist and author herself.] Professor Amy Liang points out that 1/4 oz. of water absorbs approximately 540 calories of heat when it evaporates, And that the suns energy transmitted through a drop of dew is only 0.2 calories per minute.
It evaporates before it could heat up enough to scorch a leaf.
In my own experience, I have never had it happen.
I live on the coast in North Carolina, I mist in our blazing summer sunshine daily with no ill effect. Just one less thing to worry about.
[url=https://www.interworx.com.au/users/brian/]Did you know that little bonsai do not grow up to be big bonsai. Read about it here.[/url]
I regret all Spelling, Syntax, Or Grammar errors. Even the ones you didn't notice.
A 'Thank You' to Webmaster for his 'bold' suggestions during the editing process, He knows what I mean.
ynot
'If you can't grow the ones you love, Love the ones you grow!'
Just in case you might not know, 'Bonsai' is pronounced 'Bone-Sigh'.
If you would like to take pictures that really show off your bonsai? [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3557/url]Read this.[/url]
