Creating a soil mixture -- seeking advice

[Diolated]

I've been playing around with bonsai for a few years now, but just last year got into making my own soil mixes. My question is not what kind of soil/composition I should be using. Rather, I am interested in learning some tips/techniques on how others actually achieve their desired composition rates. For example, if you want my soil composition to be something like 50% Akadama, 30% sand, and 20% pine bark, how do go about precisely hitting those paticulat percentages. I've been "eyeballing it," but I am interested in using a more scientific/exact method and am curious how others handle creating their mixes. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[Poink88]

I just wing it with my scoop (sometimes heaping sometimes half full LOL).

How about using measuring cups? Even a tin can will do.

Say for your sample of 50% Akadama, 30% sand, and 20% pine ... use...
5 cups Akadama
3 cups Sand
2 cups pine.

 

[edprocoat]

Dario's idea sounds pretty accurate. Then again you could actually count it out grain by grain ..

ed

 

[Poink88]

Then again you could actually count it out grain by grain ..

AND...only if all the grains of various materials are same size.

 

[Poink88]

You are new so I apologize if we joke around. We are just being the "crazy us".

 

[yenling83]

Eye balling it is totally fine, it's just not that important to be exact. More importantly is using the right types of substrate/soil. I generally just use the same size scoop and do 1 part, 1 part, 1 part. Or 2 parts of a certain type then 1 part of another type.

 

[sikadelic]

I use the highly scientific and finely calibrated mac and cheese bowl.

 

[kirk@localbonsai.com]

I am interested in using a more scientific/exact method and am curious how others handle creating their mixes. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Hi Diolated.

I'm a professional chemical engineer by trade and a bonsai enthusiast by weekend. In the lab, we talk about component percentages on the basis of weight, volume, and molar ratios. In the context of soil and bonsai, we're dealing with ratios on a volume basis. Say you want 40% akadama, 30% sand, and 30% peat , you would just scoop 0.4scoops/total scoops akadama, 0.3scoops/total scoops sans, and 0.3 scoops/total scoop peat - where a scoop could be say, a measuring cup or bowl.

But honestly, I don't think trees care about the exact volume of soil components - rather moderation is key. 100% grit is going to lead to over drying in the summer, 100$ organic will compress and become slow draining. I like 60-40 (grit to organic) or 70-30. For more details, check out my blog www.localbonsai.com , I have a post for DIY bonsai soil.

Hope this helps,

-Kirk

 

[klosi]

Hi all!
I don't want to open new thread, so I'll write it here since it is in soil mixure alley...
I just replanted a small bonsai (mallsai that is), but the problem is I am affraid that I used too big of the aprticles of lava (5-10mm, it said on the bag). Especially for such small tree. I added a bit of chopped bark to it but not that much.
Wha should I do?
Do you think I have no reason to panic and that the soil mixture is OK and tree will survive?
Do you think I should mix soil aggain add more bark or add some flower potting soil (which I heard is not good to use for bonsai?)?
Do you think I've already screwed it up too much and can say good bye to my tree?

Thank you for any help and advices!

 

[lordy]

Hi all!
I don't want to open new thread, so I'll write it here since it is in soil mixure alley...
I just replanted a small bonsai (mallsai that is), but the problem is I am affraid that I used too big of the aprticles of lava (5-10mm, it said on the bag). Especially for such small tree. I added a bit of chopped bark to it but not that much.
Wha should I do?
Do you think I have no reason to panic and that the soil mixture is OK and tree will survive?
Do you think I should mix soil aggain add more bark or add some flower potting soil (which I heard is not good to use for bonsai?)?
Do you think I've already screwed it up too much and can say good bye to my tree?

Thank you for any help and advices!

Do you think I have no reason to panic and that the soil mixture is OK and tree will survive? Probably. Turns out a lot of people think larger granule soil is better for air flow/healthier roots. That said, more air means quicker drying. The bark will absorb water and fill in the spaces between large granules, so it may get close to more where you should be with a smaller plant. Do the chopstick jammed into the soil water meter trick. Leave a section of chopstick pushed into the soil to the bottom. Pull it every day and see if it is damp. If so, dont water until you pull it out one day (tomorrow?) and it is nearly dry. Then water till it flows out of the holes of the pot. Maybe keep the tree out of direct sun for a couple of weeks. Outdoors full time when the temps stay above 50F.

 

[Smoke]

Hi all!
I don't want to open new thread, so I'll write it here since it is in soil mixure alley...
I just replanted a small bonsai (mallsai that is), but the problem is I am affraid that I used too big of the aprticles of lava (5-10mm, it said on the bag). Especially for such small tree. I added a bit of chopped bark to it but not that much.
Wha should I do?
Do you think I have no reason to panic and that the soil mixture is OK and tree will survive?
Do you think I should mix soil aggain add more bark or add some flower potting soil (which I heard is not good to use for bonsai?)?
Do you think I've already screwed it up too much and can say good bye to my tree?

Thank you for any help and advices!

10mm is perfect. I use up to 14mm. I use 10mm even in shohin pots cup of soil and tree no taller than 7 inches tall.

 

[klosi]

I'm glad to hear all could be fine. Thanks for encouragement and advice!

 

[Smoke]

I'm glad to hear all could be fine. Thanks for encouragement and advice!

Your welcome. Also....Kudo's to you for the correct usage of the word "advice".

People here think advise is the only word in our vocabulary. Advice is a noun and advise is a verb, get it straight people.