what soil for 2 different trees

mage973 · 03-22-2011, 02:16 PM

Hi,
I'm getting a Dwarf Cherry and a Too Little Ficus and I'm wondering what kind of soil to use.

The Too Little Ficus come in a kit that has "Akadama soil, Pokon bonsai food." Should I add regular potting soil, African Violet potting soil, perlite, or nothing else?

I read African Violet (AV) potting soil has a ph level suitable for tropicals and it works well with my schefflera and ming aralia(parsley) but what should I use for the dwarf cherry? ( I think it's a brush cherry).
These will be grown indoors in NW Ohio, zone 5.

Any good advice is appreciated.

mage973

Mike423 · 03-22-2011, 07:11 PM

I'm sure you've heard this before but, it depends on your geographical location due to differentiating environment conditions.

Akadama I would say is one of the best soil by itself or as a soil amendment due to its great qualities. It also is one of the few soil amendments that can work great just as a stand alone soil for just about any type of tree. If you do decide to use it alone, I would add at least a small amount of organic material though (but personally that's just me).

"I read African Violet (AV) potting soil has a ph level suitable for tropicals and it works well with my schefflera and ming aralia(parsley)."

While most tropicals withstand the same soil requirements and Ficus is a general forgiving bonsai, I would recommend to always do research on any tree prior to acquiring it as some Bonsai have very specific care guidelines.

As for good soil mixtures it again boils down to what you local weather situation is on a yearly basis. That being said though I would say your conditions in Ohio is similar to my own Chicago land area. I find a simple mixture of components such as loam or humus mixed along with Haydite/Sharp sand/Grit (anything similar and available) works well in a 40% 60% mixture when considering outdoor specimens. I'm always experimenting though adding new materials (Turface MPV is a good cheap additive) and experimenting to see what works best with what species.

Don't know if I'm just preaching to the quire and telling you what you already know, but thought I would throw it all out there just in case. Good luck

-Mike

mage973 · 03-22-2011, 09:28 PM

Thanks Mike! I appreciate the information, as I am not at all familiar with bonsai soil. Thanks again.

treebeard55 · 03-23-2011, 02:15 AM

Mike's given you some good pointers. I would add one big one for now: sift your soil first. Dust is a killer, because it ruins drainage. And contrary to what many people think, tropical soils are not typically soggy. Rainforest soils, in particular, tend to be coarse and well-aerated.

You might want to check and see what grade of akadama you have; it comes it different qualities. The harder, the better.

I also urge you to find a club near you. Besides other reasons to get involved in a club, experienced members will be familiar with what soils work well in your area. I assume there's a club in Toledo, and I know there's one in Fort Wayne (IN.) There may be others closer to you.

mage973 · 03-23-2011, 02:49 PM

thanks for your response and advice. I'll take it to heart.

mage973 · 03-25-2011, 04:20 PM

Well this is the "ficus oo little" at 3-4 years old and the soil it came in. Not as bushy as it looks on the website. It came in a kit with soil, and akadama, no label or instuctions. I guess the lighter one is akadama. It is orangish/tan.
The other picture is the brush cherry, 2-3 years old. I hope they survive.
Review of this nursery/purchase is in the Nursery forum.

Mike423 · 03-25-2011, 05:12 PM

Be sure to sift the akadama be fore use, I definitely see some particles that are way too small and will impede the soils drainage and aeration. The akadama actually looks more like Turface than Akadama to me.

"Not as bushy as it looks on the website." Looks on a website can be deceiving and differentiate from yours that's why I never buy trees from somewhere where I cant see the actual specimen I will be getting.

treebeard55 · 03-26-2011, 11:16 AM

Mike's right: that is not akadama!

Akadama is a lighter shade, and looks like over-sized Rice Krispies. (The particles are ellipsoids.) If someone charged you akadama price for Turface (or something like it,) you got ripped off.

mage973 · 03-26-2011, 01:17 PM

Well it came as part of a kit (see photos) here's the link to "Standard starter kit" Starter Trees I've looked online and can't tell which it is ( akadama or turface) or if I got ripped off price-wise (30 bucks for 3-4 year old tree, pot, screen tray, soil, fertilizer, Akadama soil and that 101 bonsai book) The unlabled bag is 4.5" x 6" x .5" They sell only "akadama" and their image of it in a larger quantity only has Japanese writing.

See my review of the purchase in the Forum: Miscellaneous/Bonsai Nursery Feedback. Plus they don't seem to answer email inquiries. shame as they have nice land/water pots but if they arrive broken... they most likely won't respond to emails

Mike's right about the quality/must be sifted. Some of the bag is actually sand-like.

oh well lesson learned.

mage973 · 04-01-2011, 06:06 PM

You are right! I got Akadama today from a more buyer friendly and reliable source and the difference is obvious.

thanks for the info!

03-22-2011, 02:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
mage973 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 65	what soil for 2 different trees Hi, I'm getting a Dwarf Cherry and a Too Little Ficus and I'm wondering what kind of soil to use. The Too Little Ficus come in a kit that has "Akadama soil, Pokon bonsai food." Should I add regular potting soil, African Violet potting soil, perlite, or nothing else? I read African Violet (AV) potting soil has a ph level suitable for tropicals and it works well with my schefflera and ming aralia(parsley) but what should I use for the dwarf cherry? ( I think it's a brush cherry). These will be grown indoors in NW Ohio, zone 5. Any good advice is appreciated. mage973 Last edited by mage973; 03-22-2011 at 09:24 PM.. Reason: location information added

03-23-2011, 02:15 AM	#4 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 511	Mike's given you some good pointers. I would add one big one for now: sift your soil first. Dust is a killer, because it ruins drainage. And contrary to what many people think, tropical soils are not typically soggy. Rainforest soils, in particular, tend to be coarse and well-aerated. You might want to check and see what grade of akadama you have; it comes it different qualities. The harder, the better. I also urge you to find a club near you. Besides other reasons to get involved in a club, experienced members will be familiar with what soils work well in your area. I assume there's a club in Toledo, and I know there's one in Fort Wayne (IN.) There may be others closer to you. __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

03-26-2011, 11:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
treebeard55 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Warsaw IN, USA USDA zone 5b Posts: 511	Mike's right: that is not akadama! Akadama is a lighter shade, and looks like over-sized Rice Krispies. (The particles are ellipsoids.) If someone charged you akadama price for Turface (or something like it,) you got ripped off. __________________ Treebeard 55 Steve Moore http://hoosierbonsai.blogspot.com The most important bonsai tool is your brain.

04-01-2011, 06:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
mage973 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 65	you are right You are right! I got Akadama today from a more buyer friendly and reliable source and the difference is obvious. thanks for the info!

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03-22-2011, 07:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mike423 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago, IL Zone 5 Posts: 114	I'm sure you've heard this before but, it depends on your geographical location due to differentiating environment conditions. Akadama I would say is one of the best soil by itself or as a soil amendment due to its great qualities. It also is one of the few soil amendments that can work great just as a stand alone soil for just about any type of tree. If you do decide to use it alone, I would add at least a small amount of organic material though (but personally that's just me). "I read African Violet (AV) potting soil has a ph level suitable for tropicals and it works well with my schefflera and ming aralia(parsley)." While most tropicals withstand the same soil requirements and Ficus is a general forgiving bonsai, I would recommend to always do research on any tree prior to acquiring it as some Bonsai have very specific care guidelines. As for good soil mixtures it again boils down to what you local weather situation is on a yearly basis. That being said though I would say your conditions in Ohio is similar to my own Chicago land area. I find a simple mixture of components such as loam or humus mixed along with Haydite/Sharp sand/Grit (anything similar and available) works well in a 40% 60% mixture when considering outdoor specimens. I'm always experimenting though adding new materials (Turface MPV is a good cheap additive) and experimenting to see what works best with what species. Don't know if I'm just preaching to the quire and telling you what you already know, but thought I would throw it all out there just in case. Good luck -Mike

03-22-2011, 09:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
mage973 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 65	Thanks Mike! I appreciate the information, as I am not at all familiar with bonsai soil. Thanks again.

03-23-2011, 02:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
mage973 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 65	thanks for your response and advice. I'll take it to heart.

03-25-2011, 05:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mike423 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago, IL Zone 5 Posts: 114	Be sure to sift the akadama be fore use, I definitely see some particles that are way too small and will impede the soils drainage and aeration. The akadama actually looks more like Turface than Akadama to me. "Not as bushy as it looks on the website." Looks on a website can be deceiving and differentiate from yours that's why I never buy trees from somewhere where I cant see the actual specimen I will be getting.

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