Making My own Soil ANYONE HELP

[purelydaniel]

Hey Guys, Just wanted to know if anyone has any idea about making Bonsai soil. I've looked it up but they all seem American and the things you cants buy the same so if anyone knows a good mixture would love to know and things i can buy locally. Thanks everyone

[NathanM]

Hey mate, there are many, many options/opinions on this. My mix is quite basic and works really well on everything.
roughly 40% premium potting mix. Take out any large chunks, and roughly 60% diatomite. approx 3-7mm or similar size. I throw in a bit of slow release fertiliser, mix it evenly. Done

[Luke308]

If you ask 100 people, you will get 100 different answers. I wouldnt use premium potting mix myself. I personally use approx 60% diatomite 2-7mm, 10% zeolite, and 30% pine bark chips (orchard pine bark mini nuggets) This is the basic mix which it seems a lot of people use, however, you should adjust to you local conditions. I live in Adelaide, hence why I have a higher pine bark content for the extra water retention. I have tried using coco peat coir fibre, but I found it stayed wet too long. with the mix I use I cant over water, but I have to water every day, some times 2 or 3 times a day. Also its pretty much impossible to over fertilise. The key thing to remember is, sift out anything smaller then 2mm as you want a free draining mix, and you want room for oxygen to promote root growth. Have a read of these also
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8753
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8719
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5378
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=10125

There us probably more on this forum, so search diatomite, zeolite, and substrate. Hope that helps mate

[ADO]

Hi,
I am a pretty rank begginer but I have found this link to be helpful for ideas. do a search in the forums too.
I am yet to do any actual repotting so this is pretty important thread/topic for me also.



http://www.evergreengardenworks.com/soils.htm

[kcpoole]

I just use 2/3 Diatomite, 1/3 Zeolite and my trees are happy as ever

If you are just starting out and have no idea, find a local club to you and see what the locals are using and start with that. After a few years you can then start modifying / changing to suit your own preferences.

Ken

[purelydaniel]

Thanks everyonemuch appreciate the help. I have a few plants and repotted about 10 been using bonsai soil from norside it seems to be very good. I've been doing this for about 6 months now after getting fasinated witha friend t work also talking about it. And it started and since then I have don't some massive curving inmy bouganvilleas and my friend that has been doing it for years really thinks it looks like I have been going for years. Does anyone wantto see me trees?

[Craig]

es anyone wantto see me trees?

yes, for sure, post them up if you want to Daniel, cheers