Bougainvillea Substrates...What’s in your pots?

[AaronThomas]

Curious as to what everybody uses as a substrate for their Bougainvillea’s. As per the Phoenix bonsai society I have been using 60% decomposed granite and 40% cactus soil mix. It’s been working great… however in an attempt to save my back I would love to cut down on some weight!

 

[Carol 83]

I use a regular bonsai mix I got from a bonsai nursery, works fine. I know alot of people here love the napa 8822 DE, but I don't think it works for bougies, stays way too wet for too long.

 

[AaronThomas]

regular bonsai mix

Thanks Carol... like lava, pumice..........?

 

[Arizona bonsai]

I use outdoor cactus soil and perlite that i get at home depot.

 

[sorce]

Maybe it's cuz the Basketball Team.....

But Phoenix is Phoenix.

Just saying.

Sorce

 

[AaronThomas]

Phoenix is Phoenix

Yep...yep
I’m in aTucson....

 

[Arizona bonsai]

Heres a pic of my soil

 

[AaronThomas]

Heres a pic of my soil

Funny that’s the soil that I use… I have never tried the perlite.
I may give a go to pumic, lava and some smaller DG.

 

[Arizona bonsai]

I mix them 50-50, I sift the perlite to remove the fines for better drainage.

 

[leatherback]

So far, I am growing all in the same mix.

Characteristics of good bonsai substrate - Growing Bonsai

When growing bonsai, there are few subjects that are more controversial than substrates. To some the concept of not using the Japanese substrates is near blasphemy. Everything that is used …

www.growingbonsai.net

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Just about any deciduous mix should work fine. Pumice is the single "best" or most often used successfully component. Substitute pumice for DE in your mix with the cactus mix and it should work very much like the previous.

 

[AaronThomas]

Substitute pumice for DE in your mix with the cactus mix

Leo do you recommend a specific brand of cactus mix... it appears most I have found is just potting soil with sand thrown in.
Thanks!

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Myself, I never use cactus mix, or at least have not used it for many years. What do you use yourself for your other species of deciduous bonsai? That is actually what I would use. Or use your normal pine mix. Bougies are pretty tough, they are not fussy at all.

A conifer or pine mix is mostly all mineral, and does not hold a lot of water. If you are concerned about too much water go with a pine mix.