Cheap and Easy Bonsai Soil Mix

Welcome to Bill's Bonsai YouTube Channel - This video: Cheap and Easy Bonsai Soil Mix

Believe it or not, I asked ChatGPT what I should use for my bonsai soil mix. At first, it recommended all the expensive stuff like Akadama, Pumice and Lava Rock. I told it that those materials weren't readily available to me and were too expensive anyway.

It then recommended that I use composted bark as my main organic component, plus some other components such perlite, horticultural grit and molar clay - which in the video is the pink kitty litter.

I purchased the composted bark, kitty litter and horticultural grit from Amazon as I already had perlite and vermiculite. I used the scoop to measure out the bonsai soil mixture, but to be honest I normally eyeball the mixture.

For example, if I wanted a lot of moisture retention (which most of the time I prefer as it's a pain in the posterior watering the trees every day) I'll make sure there is more compost in the mix. If I want less compost and more of an inorganic mix I simply use less compost or more molar clay and grit.

Everyone has their own ideas of what a good bonsai soil should consist of and for now, this is what I'm using.

Thanks for watching.
Bill

[XaviersBonsaiRetreat]

That is pretty close to what my standard mix has been up till very recently. Ultimately there is no expert mix - it just relates to your climate and circumstances. I'm home all day, so I can generally maintain regular watering during any hotspells to avoid inorganic mix drying out. Interesting you mention having so many trees die. I had mine in an inorganic mix and they were fine through the winter - just sat on the ground. Good video

[Simon.Bryant]

Just what I was looking for, thanks. Subbed 😊

[bonsaimania]

This could be very helpful. In the desert Southwest, USA, the intense heat and low humidity are definitely an issue. 100% kitty litter would probably dry out way too fast here, so I'm also trying to find the right mix for my area and the trees I hope to create into bonsai. Good stuff, earned you a subscription. Keep uploading this kind if great material!

[starbell]

Seeing as your weather maybe similar to our weather here in Melbourne australia, have you tried grain sized scoria (larva rock) i use a mix of 50% scoria 30% cocoa-peat & 20% perlite & it does the job yr in yr out.. cheers mate!

[howardmckeown]

which kitty litter were you using? I was planning on trying 100% kittyfriend pnk

[lindac]

Is the composted bark cedar, pine, hardwood???