Help me make a good soil mix please?

[applenewbie]

Greetings all,

I need to repot my small collection of mainly figs and chinese elms and this year I would like to mix up my own soil mix.
Last year I used a commercial bonsai potting mix from Bunnings and I quickly noticed when wet the soil clogged up badly.
This year I want something more free draining and was thinking of using a mix of 1/3 good quality potting mix (sieved maybe?), 1/3 coconut fibre (coir) and 1/3 kitty litter.

I'm in Perth so a hot, dry summer is on its way.

What do you guys think? Any advice?

Cheers
Steve

[deepeetee]

Hi Steve,

Welcome.

Go to the repotting, soil and fertiliser section at the bottom of the home page.

Also use the search bar in the top right hand corner, type in your search string and you'll get a bunch of good answers.

The other way would be to use the wiki, its located in the top right hand corner of all pages.

There are all sorts of potting mixes available and everyone has their own little spin on what is best. Do some research and some tests on your trees, see what works best for you and your area

Good luck

Dave

[Craig]

Most of my trees go into a mix of Akadama, Carnarvon river sand and a small amount of fines, you need to find a mix suitable for where you live in Perth, (where is that?), As my mix is very freedraining ,it can dry out easily,,you also need to be aware of when and how much to water each tree, plenty to consider

[applenewbie]

Most of my trees go into a mix of Akadama, Carnarvon river sand and a small amount of fines...

Hi Craig,

Where do you source your Akadama & river sand in sunny Perth? I'm keen to find a good nursery to frequent.
I'm in the western suburbs, yourself?

Cheers
Steve

[Craig]

From Peter at Bonsai Emporium, i think it's west swan road, middle swan. If you are to join a club they have it aswell.

[applenewbie]

Thanks Craig.

I'll have to swing out to Middle Swan to get some. Might make a day of it in the Swan Valley

Cheers

[Craig]

Please don't "just use" what mix i say i use as it may not suit your needs. If you feel it will be ok to try give it a go, you will definately need to water your trees during the day at least once depending on pot size, good luck mate

[applenewbie]

Please don't "just use" what mix i say i use as it may not suit your needs. If you feel it will be ok to try give it a go, you will definately need to water your trees during the day at least once depending on pot size, good luck mate

True true.
I've read people using kitty litter and having good results but then I've also read a few who had pH issues etc.
I might try both and see which suits.

I currently water my bonsais using automatic misting sprays twice daily for a couple of minutes.
At the moment the potting mix I have gets very sodden and boggy hence I want something much freer draining.
If I may ask what ratios of soil components do you use in your blend and how often do you water?

[Craig]

Sounds like you have tyhe watering under control,

I don't work to a specific mix mate, make it up each time i repot a tree and differs accordingly. if i were you i would begin by adding more grits to your existing pre made bonsai soil. Loosen the mix by adding carnarvon river sand or/and akadama to it , and slowly work out how you want it to be

[rowan]

You really need to experiment and choose what you prefer as everyone is different. Remember that commercial potting mixes differ markedly also - I like to use pine bark based ones and I just can't get along with rice hull based mixes, for example, as I find them soggy.

It often doesn't matter with tougher trees - I am experimenting with chinese elms in pure gravel, pure rockwool, pure sand, pine chip and cow poo mix (free from the local cattle saleyard pens) amongst other soil substitutes, watering only once a day and fertilised twice a month and they are all growing well with slight differences. I recommend that if you use rockwool that you tie down every pot as they are feather light, lol.

I still prefer my local potting mix and it drains well but is fun to experiment to see what you can do.

[kcpoole]

Hi Apple
Good idea to get away from soggy mixes
I use diatomite mix which is free draining as you can get. Several posts about Chandlers Kitty litter have issues, but BrettS has great results with it
Seems to be variable quality or components.

Be careful going all out with another mix as you can end up having problems with trees if you get it wrong. It took me about 3 years to convert all my trees to my new mix to ensure they were all happy
Ken

[applenewbie]

Be careful going all out with another mix as you can end up having problems with trees if you get it wrong....

Hi Ken,

Good advice thanks, what do you think about using the same bonsai potting mix and just mixing in some kitty litter to loosen it up somewhat?
I have to say, even given the sogginess of the mix my trees are all growing ok.

Looking at the photos on here has made me realise I need to move my trees up to the next level.
My plan is to repot them all in something freeer draining, introduce regular once a fortnight fertilizing & alternate fortnight fish emulsion and try and develop my trees into more mature looking specimens.

[Andrew F]

My figs respond well to River sand, River gravel and premium potting mix. But as others have stated before me its touch and go.

[fae]

Hi'

I have been experementing with Ken's mix of diatomite and zeolite. Have tried and had some great success with crepe myrtle,bottlebrush,maples,lavender star,black pine,black wattle,lilly pilly,olive and lantana.

Bare rooted each of the above and put sraight into this mix,soaked in seasoil and kept in the shade for about 3 weeks. The only casuality has been a rosemary.

I planted 2 bottlebrush (same size and purchased at the same nursery),one in the diatomite and zeolite mix and the other in a bonsai soil mix. The diatoite/zeolite mix bottlebrush was slow to get going but once it did it outgrew the bottlebrush in the soil mix.

The plants in the diatomite/zeolite mix does need to be watered more frequently so the coming summer will be interesting to see if I can keep them alive. I also have been fertilising fortnightly.

Hope this helps.

Fiona

[Craig]

as far as i've been able to find out Diatomite is not freely available here in the west .