The quality of the soil plays a key role in professional bonsai care. This guide is all about the perfect bonsai soil. Read all the important properties and the ten best components for a top-quality bonsai substrate here.
What are the characteristics of a good bonsai soil?
The ideal bonsai soil is structurally stable, coarse-grained, offers good drainage and aeration, has a balanced pH value and contains sufficient nutrients. A standard mixture of Akadama (€9.00 at Amazon), lava granules and pumice gravel meets these requirements and is suitable for most bonsai.
Which soil does my bonsai need?
Your bonsai needs astructurally stable soil that ensures the best possible supply of oxygen, nutrients and water over a long period of time. Conventional potting soil is not suitable for planting a tree in a shallow bowl. These properties characterize a good bonsai soil:
- Coarse-grained, airy structure for solid drainage, good water storage and permanent root aeration.
- Reliable stability for the tree in a bonsai pot.
- Compensation for fluctuations in the pH value.
- Sufficient mineral-organic nutrient supply.
- Ideally peat-free or peat-reduced so that the bonsai substrate does not collapse, compact and cause root rot.
What components characterize good bonsai soil?
Good bonsai soil contains predominantlymineral components as well as a small proportion of humus. The ten most important components for bonsai soil:
- Akadama: dried clay made from volcanic ash, suitable as a pure substrate for repotting.
- Pumice gravel: mineral granules from the Volcanic Eifel for soil mixtures.
- Expanded clay: porous beads of fired clay for aeration and water storage.
- Humus: organic substances for the supply of nutrients.
- Kanuma: acidic granules from Japanese volcanic rock for rhododendron bonsai.
- Kiryu: special substrate from Japan, ideal for pine and juniper bonsai.
- Coconut soil: as a peat substitute.
- Lava granulate: granulated lava rock, breathable, does not rot.
- Clay: soil mixture of clay and sand.
- Sand: for structural stability and good drainage.
Tip
Bonsai soil standard mixture always fits
A standard mixture has proven to be a good way to get started with the secrets of high-quality bonsai soil. The mixture consists of equal parts Akadama (€9.00 on Amazon), lava granules and pumice gravel. If you rarely water your bonsai due to lack of time, double the amount of Akadama. If your bonsai spends the summer on the balcony without rain protection, add more lava granules.
