Bonsai Soil Mix for Maple

[RockyGrowth]

Hello there, I live near Seattle and I’ve been trying to look for soil to use for Japanese maples. I can’t seem to find Akadama at any reasonable price, do you guys know if any alternatives? Otherwise I was thinking of a blend of pine bark and pumice though I’m thinking of adding lava rock. Would love to hear your guys thoughts!

 

[caffeinated]

That would work. I'd add the lava. Where around Seattle and how many maples at what size? I could offer you a small bucket of akadama if you want.

 

[Shibui]

Be very careful when mentioning soil mixes amongst bonsai growers. Everyone has their own favorite mix they swear by and physical fights have resulted from growers disputing that theirs is not the best. Different mixes work in different areas under different care regime so no wonder there's so many conflicting opinions.

You can grow JM in almost any soil mix. The key is matching care to the soil rather than matching soil to the species. JM do not like dry so any soil mix that makes it easy for you to ensure the roots don't get too dry will be the correct mix.
All my trees grow well in a mix of pine bark and coarse sand (buffered for pH, iron and nutrients)
Pine bark helps retain moisture and allows aeration. Pumice allows aeration, retains some moisture but is very light. Lava rock retains some moisture, allows aeration and adds some weight to the mix so may prevent trees blowing away in windy areas. You may need to experiment to find the % of these ingredients that works for your back yard under your care regime.

 

[Newish in Oregon]

Hello there, I live near Seattle and I’ve been trying to look for soil to use for Japanese maples. I can’t seem to find Akadama at any reasonable price, do you guys know if any alternatives? Otherwise I was thinking of a blend of pine bark and pumice though I’m thinking of adding lava rock. Would love to hear your guys thoughts!

I'm no expert and my maples are still "pre" but they seem happy in medium red fir, pumice, Napa 8822 1:1:1 by volume

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I use a mix of composted pine bark, pumice, and permatil (heat expanded slate). I mix up the pumice and permatil 50:50 then finish it with about 20% pine bark.This stays moist enough here but we get pretty even precip year round but Seattle could be dicey given your wet cool winters and long dry summers. Balancing that without using some type of cover to prevent root rot in winter might be a challenge. We have enough NW growers here to advise you now that they know where you ate located.

 

[RockyGrowth]

For the pine bark side of things, could you a. use pine mulch, b. use landscape pine bark, or c. buy landscape pine bark and compost it. Or is there another option?

 

[vp999]

This guy on Etsy is the cheapest with free shipping I've find online.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1676735160/ibaraki-akadama-entire-bag-free-shipping?ref=user_profile&frs=1

 

[WNC Bonsai]

For the pine bark side of things, could you a. use pine mulch, b. use landscape pine bark, or c. buy landscape pine bark and compost it. Or is there another option?

Lowes sells composted pine bark in large bags. In your area there should also be fir bark. I sift it to the same size as my pumice and permatil.

 

[BrianBay9]

Be very careful when mentioning soil mixes amongst bonsai growers. Everyone has their own favorite mix they swear by and physical fights have resulted from growers disputing that theirs is not the best. Different mixes work in different areas under different care regime so no wonder there's so many conflicting opinions.

You can grow JM in almost any soil mix. The key is matching care to the soil rather than matching soil to the species. JM do not like dry so any soil mix that makes it easy for you to ensure the roots don't get too dry will be the correct mix.
All my trees grow well in a mix of pine bark and coarse sand (buffered for pH, iron and nutrients)
Pine bark helps retain moisture and allows aeration. Pumice allows aeration, retains some moisture but is very light. Lava rock retains some moisture, allows aeration and adds some weight to the mix so may prevent trees blowing away in windy areas. You may need to experiment to find the % of these ingredients that works for your back yard under your care regime.

This. But listen to the experienced folks near you. There are plenty of bonsai people in Seattle to ask, but be sure you're talking about the same microclimate.

 

[19Mateo83]

This guy on Etsy is the cheapest with free shipping I've find online.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1676735160/ibaraki-akadama-entire-bag-free-shipping?ref=user_profile&frs=1

I just ordered two bags, it will be my first time ordering from this shop. Thank you for the link!

 

[WNC Bonsai]

I just ordered two bags, it will be my first time ordering from this shop. Thank you for the link!

That’s a good price. I paid about $60 each for bags that size out here and that was about 4 years ago.

 

[radhatter]

Bonsai northwest in puyallup sells akadama at $35 a bag. Good price if you can make it there