Should bonsai soil be more towards the alkaline side of the pH scale as a rule of thumb?
Thanks!
-
BonsaiMatthew
- Full Member
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Sun Jan 08, 2012 11:52 pm
- Location: Reading, Pennsylvania
-
rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25303
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 11:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
Depends very much on what kind of tree you are trying to grow as a bonsai.
Here's a list of suggested pH ranges for a bunch of different trees:
https://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/AT%20tree%20ph%20ranges.htm
You will see that many of them lean a bit on the acidic side, but there is a lot of variability. For example, maples (including Japanese maples) would want neutral to a bit alkaline. Ficus would want neutral to a bit acid. Etc...
In general, people need to remember that bonsai is just an art form for growing and styling a tree. What you are growing is not a "bonsai" it is a specific tree, juniper or ficus or cherry or whatever. The requirements of your bonsai are the requirements of that specific tree, for sun, cold dormancy, warmth, pH or whatever.
Here's a list of suggested pH ranges for a bunch of different trees:
https://www.bonsai4me.com/AdvTech/AT%20tree%20ph%20ranges.htm
You will see that many of them lean a bit on the acidic side, but there is a lot of variability. For example, maples (including Japanese maples) would want neutral to a bit alkaline. Ficus would want neutral to a bit acid. Etc...
In general, people need to remember that bonsai is just an art form for growing and styling a tree. What you are growing is not a "bonsai" it is a specific tree, juniper or ficus or cherry or whatever. The requirements of your bonsai are the requirements of that specific tree, for sun, cold dormancy, warmth, pH or whatever.
Twitter account I manage for local Sierra Club: https://twitter.com/CherokeeGroupSC Facebook page I manage for them: https://www.facebook.com/groups/65310596576/ Come and find me and lots of great information, inspiration