Bonsai Soil
A bonsai tree is not a precise tree, but a technique that the Japanese use as an art form to create miniature trees. There are hundreds of trees that can be made into a bonsai tree, with the right cultivating and potting methods. An important aspect of a successful bonsai is the soil used for growing the saplings. Nutrients and drainage are two key characteristics that need to be examined when judging which soil to use for a bonsai. Whichever soil the bonsai enthusiast uses, it is imperative to allow sufficient drainage in the ceramic pot. Many experienced bonsai growers have mastered mixing their own soil, while beginners may need to purchase pre-mixed soil.
If you are an individual who feels the need to mix their own soil, it is important to know that you can choose from organic or non-organic soil. Organic soil is produced from dead plant matter and gravel, while the non-organic soil which is made of a material that has no nutrients or parts that have previously been alive such as rock and clay. Many bonsai devotees mix both types of soil, to produce a basic blend of useful soil.
Another factor to determine would be the type of tree that is growing because of its nutrients and water requirements. Finding the correct soil is a long process that will eventually come natural with bonsai experience. The following is a list of well-known soils, and why each soil is recommended for bonsai.
BONSAI CONIFER SOIL MIXES
Bonsai conifer soil mix is used on most conifers trees, because it is absorbent and allows water to drain completely. The mix is has a light concentration of organic soil. This soil is recommended for all evergreen conifers such as: pine, junipers and spruces.TROPICAL/SUBTROPICAL BONSAI MIX
The tropical and subtropical mix is for the exotic bonsai plants that are generally grown indoors. This soil has been used on outdoor bonsai, but it is more efficient indoors due to the controlled climate. The bonsai trees that grow best with the tropical and subtropical soil mix are: Ficus, Serissa, Fukien Tea, Brush Cherry, Bougainvillea, Dwarf Umbrella and even some Elms. The soils consist of peat moss, sand, pumice rock, and bark which make it organic.DECIDIOUS BONSAI SOIL MIX
Deciduous bonsai soil mix is organic, and formulated for most Elm trees. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall or winter, which is called their dormancy period. These types of bonsai trees should grow outdoors, to ensure that it receives the cold weather like any other commonly aged Elm. The soil consists of mainly of bark and small granite chips and makes it a mix of organic and inorganic.Choosing the correct soil mixture can mean life or death of your bonsai. It is important to do research on each particular bonsai plant that you have before potting. Not all soil mixtures are exactly the same, and can contain different levels of organic and inorganic ingredients. The best results occur from personal trial and error, and recording your results for each individual bonsai tree. Happy Bonsai-ing!
Bonsai Fertilizer
As with any plant, fertilizer is an exceptional benefit to keeping your bonsai tree healthy and alive. It is important to know what type of bonsai tree that you have, because each sapling differs on the nutrients that it needs. Trees should be fertilized during mid-spring to early summer and then again in late summer to early autumn, when they are in an active growth period. The most important rule of fertilizing your bonsai plant is to make sure that you do not fertilize when the tree is under stress. Tree stress is disease, an over or under watered sapling, or if the roots are newly pruned.Choosing your fertilizer is contingent on the type of tree that you have to bonsai. The majority of broadleaf and tropical trees can be fed ordinary houseplant fertilizer. Conifers and azaleas benefit from a scheduled use of acidic fertilizer. Some bonsai enthusiasts prefer organic fertilizer over the chemical based fertilizers, but it depends on the grower. The three basic elements of any fertilizer are Nitrogen (N) Phosphorous (P) and Potassium (K). Each element helps different parts of the plant. Nitrogen helps increase growth of the leaves and stems. Phosphorous inspires healthy root growth, and potassium encourages growth of fruits and flowers. The following is a list of popular fertilizers that the majority of bonsai enthusiasts love.
GREEN DREAM ORGANIC FERTILIZER
The Green Dream organic fertilizer is a popular fertilizer that is perfectly balanced and is seamlessly designed to release its nutrients over a span of four to six weeks. The fertilizer consists of strictly active organic composite. This particular organic fertilizer releases nitrogen first, and then phosphorous and potassium later.BONSAI PRO FERTILIZER BY DYNA-GRO
Bonsai Pro fertilizer by Dyna-gro is a NPK 7-9-5 stimulant for your bonsai tree. It is impeccably combined to provide all known essential nutrients, and is low in soluble salts and urea free to prevent root burn and high volumes of salt. This fertilizer is highly concentrated, and best for conifers and azaleas.0-10-10 NITROGEN FREE BONSAI FERTILZER BY HO-YOKU
Each number represents a portion of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. A nitrogen free fertilizer should be used later in summer, when you are not trying to promote high growth of leaves and stems. This reduces needles, encouraging flowering buds and increasing your trees winter hardiness.Choosing the correct fertilizer will depend on the time of year you want to fertilize, and which part of the plant you want nutrients to flourish to. During early spring time, it is important to find a fertilizer with a high concentrate of nitrogen to boost the trees growth. Throughout the summer months, a bonsai enthusiast should use something that is more balanced like a NPK 10-10-10. Finally, throughout the autumn it is important to use a fertilizer to harden the wood for the upcoming winter months with highly concentrated phosphorous and potassium. While bonsai fertilizer is just like any other household plant fertilizer, if you buy your fertilizer from an online bonsai store or nursery you are certain to find the correct NPK ratings for your plant.