Glad to meet each and every one of you

[Jr3al]

So I’m very new to bonsai. I’d say about 3-4 months. But I’ve jumped in with both feet. I completed my first chop on my Chinese elm which I’m open to any advice and or suggestions on. I’m currently trying to figure out a wining soil mix for my trees so if anyone has any advice on that scene also it’s welcome. Please be specific and assume I don’t have any idea what you mean. I’ve added pictures of my current trees. Nice to meet everyone I hope to get to know you each better.

 

[leatherback]

Hey, welcome.
I think I saw your el before. As indicated there.. The elm has good chances indoors (Not great, but enough examples of people making it work). The juniper.. Not so much .

For the elm, ensure you never let it get really dry, but not so wet it is in a swamp. (Yeah, great, where is that point!?). Water by top-watering, preferable, and not by dunking a pot in a bucket of water, as often advertised. (The latter compacts the soil too much)

 

[tainoson]

welcome! i'm new and learning a ton as well!

just be careful about asking for the "best" soil... here, that's about the same as trying to talk politics or religion at the thanksgiving dinner table... you'll learn a lot, but it's sure to get ugly.

 

[Mikecheck123]

 

[ajm55555]

also, be careful with that axe! ;-)

 

[HorseloverFat]

also, be careful with that axe! ;-)

This took me a second!

 

[HorseloverFat]

Pleasure to make YOUR acquaintance, as well!!!

Fill your gullet from this spring of shared knowledge/experience!!!

 

[Colorado]

You will get all sorts of advice on soil. Do yourself a favor and keep it very, very simple.

Go online and buy some pre-mixed bags of “Boon Mix.” This is equal parts akadama, pumice, lava. Later, once you get more experienced, you can buy the components individually and adjust the ratio for different types of trees. For now, just buy the pre-mix. For the trees you have, you want the smallest particle size offered. A lot of people use particle size way too large for the tree.

Next, buy some bags of 5mm particle size akadama.

Put all your conifers (junipers, pines, etc) in the Boon Mix.

Put all your deciduous (elms, maples, etc) in the pure akadama.

Done.

 

[HorseloverFat]

“Best soil”? ... *breaks closed double-barrel Springfield*

...them’s fightin’ words.

 

[leatherback]

Put all your deciduous (elms, maples, etc) in the pure akadama.

hm.. instant death, you home?
Maybe we should avoid substrate recipes and subsequent discussions?

 

[leatherback]

“Best soil”? ... *breaks closed double-barrel Springfield*

...them’s fightin’ words.

ksektli

 

[Jr3al]

Appreciate all the advice and the laughs!! I went with a partial organic the rest lavA for some drainage for the time being. I actually repotted the elm again once I realized the trunk rock 24/7 was due to the roots being a ball of yarn beneath it. So I chopped it down another 3” and eliminated about 75% of the roots beneath it. Wired it in now I’ll let it run for the next year or so. If at any point it seems dire I’ll put em in the ground at my moms place. I won’t just let them die.

 

[Jr3al]

welcome! i'm new and learning a ton as well!

just be careful about asking for the "best" soil... here, that's about the same as trying to talk politics or religion at the thanksgiving dinner table... you'll learn a lot, but it's sure to get ugly.

Nice to meet ya friend

 

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Psst......new guy
Topics that can get heated, because big opinions object strongly to contradicting ideas, "best potting media ever". Also, you can't raise "insert species name here" under lights. Another topic is "insert species name" will NEVER make good bonsai. And there are a few others. But in general, all 3 of those "hot topics" do need to get discussed, otherwise how would you know? Just be prepared, pop some popcorn and kick back and watch the flame wars evolve. Its never really personal, its always about who ever gets to post last. LOL this is really a pretty friendly forum.

And anything I type is always correct and worth listening to.

 

[leatherback]

And anything I type is always correct and worth listening to.

Fact!

 

[leatherback]

Also, you can't raise "insert species name here" under lights.

What NONSENSE. WHo do you think you are. Do you even have experience with insert species name?

 

[essdoesbonsai]

Welcome! Love that juniper and sloth!

That chop on the elm was brave! And the roots! Looking forward to seeing it in the future after this.

I put my elm in my mum's garden just over 2 weeks ago and its already showing better growth than inside.

 

[hinmo24t]

welcome! i'm new and learning a ton as well!

just be careful about asking for the "best" soil... here, that's about the same as trying to talk politics or religion at the thanksgiving dinner table... you'll learn a lot, but it's sure to get ugly.

so true

 

[Clicio]

Did @sorce give you an official welcome yet?
Until then, it's all hypothetical...