Reuse soil?

[Bonsaidoctor]

I put some saplings into a large bonsai pot earlier this year- and am transferring them. (Why is a good question- but one which I am not asking . I am wondering if I can reuse the soil- It’s about 50% akadama, 25% lava, 25% pumice. Seems like good soil to me. There are a few stringy tiny roots. My question- can I reuse the soil (probably let it dry then put it into container for future use). thoughts?

 

[Adair M]

Sure, sieve out the fines before you use it again.

 

[leatherback]

yeah, go for it. I always reuse my soil unless a tree was sick when I pulled it out.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

An experienced guy in my club suggested he pours it in a bucket of water to remove organics then bakes it in the oven before reuse

 

[AppleBonsai]

An experienced guy in my club suggested he pours it in a bucket of water to remove organics then bakes it in the oven before reuse

This guy must be retired to have the time and not have a spouse/parter to yell at him for putting this in the oven?! Setting it out in the sun in a pan- or I use a plastic concrete mixing tub or IKEA plastic trays will take care of a lot of anaerobic "bugs". Then sift.

 

[leatherback]

pours it in a bucket of water to remove organics

I just sift it, then spread it on a tarp in full sun for a day. Sift it again to size and store.

 

[Hack Yeah!]

This guy must be retired to have the time and not have a spouse/parter to yell at him for putting this in the oven?!

Lol, he is retired and I'm not sure if he has any house mates. I often cook with a ceramic charcoal grill, I considered just having a pan of recycled soil ready to put on it after cooking. Of course I'm so new I'm still repotting out of potting soil.

 

[leatherback]

I considered just having a pan of recycled soil ready to put on it after cooking.

Hm.. Considering I go through 20 gallons of the stuff in spring.. I think I will not be grilling my substrate anytime soon.

 

[Sansui]

I am reluctant to use my used bonsai soil for two reasons: 1) I'm not sure if the absorptive material maintains its original capacity, and 2) Salt accumilation from fertilizer. However, I do mix it in my potting soil for use with outdoor flowers.

 

[AppleBonsai]

I am reluctant to use my used bonsai soil for two reasons: 1) I'm not sure if the absorptive material maintains its original capacity, and 2) Salt accumilation from fertilizer. However, I do mix it in my potting soil for use with outdoor flowers.

Agreed if you are using organic components for soil and inorganic fert. I do it the other way around!

 

[Sansui]

I use both. I'm not a chemist or bonsai expert by any means but I feel more assured using clean, organic and inorganic media. Insurance, real or perceived...

 

[Hack Yeah!]

Hm.. Considering I go through 20 gallons of the stuff in spring.. I think I will not be grilling my substrate anytime soon.

Just wait, I'll probably get my own show on the food network after my trees start eating my grilled soil

 

[penumbra]

There are plenty of uses for my used soils in the garden or in planters and raised beds. I prefer starting with new soil although I will accept that any soil can be reused for any purpose if it meets the criteria of the soil needed for that use. I see the breakdown of the soil the largest obstacle for reuse as bonsai soil but everyone has a formula that works for them and some have more of a propensity for breaking down than others. That should be pretty obvious.

 

[Traken]

Just wait, I'll probably get my own show on the food network after my trees start eating my grilled soil

You’ll only get a show if you can make sure you get those nice grill marks on your soil. lol

 

[Sansui]

Unfortunately, I've been invited to cookouts in the past where the food tasted like grilled bonsai soil. Hold the fertilizer, please!

 

[Traken]

Unfortunately, I've been invited to cookouts in the past where the food tasted like grilled bonsai soil. Hold the fertilizer, please!

Grilled fish, seasoned with a light splash of kelp extract and fish emulsion. lol

 

[Sansui]

Mmm, Mmm good!

 

[M. Frary]

I am reluctant to use my used bonsai soil for two reasons: 1) I'm not sure if the absorptive material maintains its original capacity, and 2) Salt accumilation from fertilizer. However, I do mix it in my potting soil for use with outdoor flowers.

I have refused some soil a couple of times.
I never worry about any salt accumulation.
If anyone should that would be me.
I like to put it to them.

 

[Gsquared]

I reuse soil for things like first potting out of a nursery can, potting up something I recently dug up, or something in training that still needs a lot of growing medium. For things that are go8ng into a bonsai pot, I use fresh.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Indeed. Most used here is pumice and lasts many many years. If hard for one to get makes it much more economical. No worries.