What do i use in my Bonsai soil mix?

A quick look in the mini greenhouse then lets discuss soil mixture and what i use and what i will never use again.

Clay particles tested prior to usage to prevent unwanted disasters!!!

All products obtained via Amazon during lockdown.

[ntyler]

Scott, I've been watching your videos oldest to newest with great interest...So much good information and great trials/experiment's...I really liked this video as I have done this test to help develop my pre Bonsai soil/substrate..."Like" all your videos...Thanks for sharing...Sequim, WA...

[grobonsai]

Sanicat pink, Tesco low dust cat litter, Euro Car Parts Absorbing Granules - all hold their structure

[BoojiePanda]

This is a great video! For those who are here specifically for the soil mix it starts about 6 minutes in.

[TheBonsaiZone]

Great to see the updates! Good to see you and Pete experimenting on the soil and that Pete sure knows how to end a video the right way!

[dthompson]

My interest in bonsai began a year ago on my own. I soon learned how complex this can be but this video does help a bit! Thanks.

[Darkfire]

Thanks for illustrating the problem with some of the "clays" that are on the market. Have you tried the Turface product Nigel Saunders uses? It absolutely does not dissolve into mush like the ones you showed. I was sceptical but wanted something cheaper than Akadama, which over time will also disintegrate. I purchased the Turface at a local tool and equipment store. I put about 1/2 cup into a plastic cup, filled it with water and let it sit for a week. Yes, a week. The only thing that happened is that I kept having to add water. It never did disintegrate. We are lucky here in Idaho. Within 2 hours from Boise we can get free volcanic grit from cinder cones, disintegrating granite from road cuts and there is a perlite manufacturing facility. Making up a soil is somewhat easier because various materials are locally available. The fired clay particles like Akadama was the only missing item. Turface solved that one.

Thanks for all your videos I became a fan after watching you and Nigel cope with that mountain style cedar.

[BonsaiJCan]

Hi Scott, good to see your doing well and your trees are looking fabulous👍 That was quite the test, looks like your trees will enjoy your new mix 👌

[blahblahbleh__]

I use a simple mix of akadama, pumice or grit, and john innes no 2. Seems to work well so far. Very much enjoying looking after my trees so far. Hopefully be able to get some more

[soniavirdee]

Hi Scott excellent video on the soil info.

[jarheadbonsai]

Scott!!!love the greenhouse broski. Really cool variety of trees. Thanks for the soil information. 😎😎😎

[karinmoonhawk]

Hi Scott, good seeing you again. Lovely green house and they are thriving indeed! Good testing of the absorbs too, will surely help and you ended up with a good mix for yourself there too. See ya in the next one! 💖👍😊💖

[BackGardenBonsai]

Oh man I did not expect that level of slop. lol. Good thing you tested it out first. That could have been disastrous. You need that 100% molar clay. It doesn’t break down at all

[pervindaboo]

Hi Scott
That was good enough bonsai soil explanation for me. We do get this kind of mix in our nursery. Now I can jump for it confidently
Thanks
Regards
PERVIN

[farmert]

Don't throw out the sifted material. It is good for seed starting. I use all mine for seed starting or for cuttings. Works very well when you mix it.

[susanlynn]

Can you please give me your opinion of the product: “professional orchid soil” for my first Hoya pink princess that contains 40% pine bark, 30% Lava, and 30% turface. I live in the Midwest, USA. I know I keep humidity and temperature and light stable. It’s so dry outside. I’m concerned about nutritional needs with this mixture

[mikeswain]

Now a bit more is known about cat litter and molar clay, it would be great if you could do a 2022 'follow up' video.

[stevetheis]

Sanicat Pink cat litter works for me. Granules can be a little large but sieved its fine

[daver]

My soil is a combination of succulent cactus soil and regular potting soil should I soak it when watering even if it makes the soil soggy and allow the water to drain out the bottom? Another question I recently transplanted it into a new banzai container, I read that I should let it sit in the shade for a few days or weeks, is this true? Thanks

[alicer]

I use the Safe t Sorb (turface) that Nigel Sanders uses and have not had any problems. But maybe you can't get it in the UK.

[iamaduckquack]

Moler clay. Drains well, holds water and nutrition.