Can i use cactus soil for bonsai

However, we can describe two main mixtures we use for either deciduous or coniferous trees. Both mixtures consist of Akadama for water retention, Pumice for good substrate structure, and Lava rock for aeration and drainage. If you live somewhere with a wet climate, add more lava rock or grit to enhance the draining qualities of your mixture. With soil, it seems every expert recommends a different mix. Try and experiment with what works for you! Bonsai tree care. Bonsai soil Recommended Bonsai substrate mixtures.

Bonsai substrates The quality of soil used directly affects the health and vigor of your tree. Succulents hate damp soil conditions and thrive best in soils with low water retention ability. Bonsai soil fulfills these criteria and hence it is one of the best soils you can use to grow most succulents.

Soil is very basic that we oftentimes ignore its importance. Most plants are highly adaptable to the soil conditions and can manage to grow in soils that are not ideal for their growth. All of them have their own favorites and grows better in particular mixtures than others.

There is no ideal or universal bonsai composition. The ingredient list and their quantity vary. These components are essential for providing succulent with a suitable time to absorb the needed moisture from the soil. Cacti require a porous, sandy or pebbly potting soil that provides plenty of aeration and excellent drainage. A good cactus potting mixture will also consist of some organic material that makes moisture available to the plant roots when watered but then dries out quickly.

Both cactus plants and various types of succulents will flourish in cactus soil because it does not contain any organic components, which can possibly lead to lack of drainage. Instead, cactus soil can be suitable for bonsai plants, as well, due to its ultra porous properties. The soil you will need for a bonsai tree depends on the variety of tree you are trying to grow.

Fertilize regularly; bonsai shaping is easiest done with consistent growth. Use a liquid fertilizer solution like Miracle - Gro mixed with water every two to four weeks during the growing season. Bonsai trees don't grow in regular plant potting soil. They need constant drainage. If they're put in a regular potting soil , their roots will rot and won't drain properly. The best qualities of a bonsai soil should be gravely and loose. Knock the soil out of the root system either using your fingers or a specialized tool called a root hook.

Gently disentangle the roots if they have grown thickly together. Remove some of the bonsai tree's roots. After untangling the roots, prune back some of the longer ones to keep the tree from outgrowing its pot. The nutrients are washed out of the soil through normal watering, so liquid bonsai fertilizers should be applied every three to six weeks in the off season. When applying, pour the liquid bonsai fertilizer directly over the leaves and allow it to drip into the soil.

Do not repot on a routine, instead check on your trees every early spring by carefully removing the tree from its pot. A Bonsai needs to be repotted when the roots circle around the root system.

When the roots are still contained in soil wait another year before checking again. It may not display this or other websites correctly. You should upgrade or use an alternative browser. Anyone else primarily use Cactus-Soil for bonsai?

Just curious But, I use cactus-soil for pretty much everything I learned this trick from a jbp sapling grower he grows and sells hundreds if not thousands. And it makes sense, because a good cactus-soil has a high percentage of pumice, sand, other types of lava rock, mixed with a little organic matter just add more organic to suit your taste. And, is much much cheaper than specialty bonsai soils akadama, kanuma, etc. Also, pumice by itself can be hard to find sometimes, and is not commonly available in big-box stores.

Most other brands use perlite, which I try to avoid. I really like the simplicity and ease of pre-made cactus-soil. I would like to see the results of using this soil. And watering habits to make it worth while. I don't know that I'd use cactus soil cuz It's meant to be stabilizing and dry, where bonsai soil is meant to be wet and stabil doesn't matter. I threw my cactus in Pumice and don't water it. MrWunderful Omono. MrWunderful said:. Shibui Masterpiece.

Several members of our club used cacti and succulent mix for bonsai for many years and grew good trees. At one meeting members brought in bags of different possible potting mix. The cacti mix from 3 different companies were all very different so not all cacti soil is the same. It is possible to grow bonsai in all sorts of mixes as evidenced by the debates every time someone starts a thread.

You just need to tailor your care to suit the mix.