Bonsai Soil

Bonsai Soil

Unlike tree growing in open ground, bonsai growing in a container of soil is a single, self-contained unit. Bonsai’s roots confined in the small container of soil need minerals and microorganisms to perform a myriad of functions necessary to keep the soil healthy and vibrant.

Fertilizers

Bonsai soil can be kept alive by applying organic fertilizers to break down and feed the microorganisms in the soil, as well as providing some microorganisms themselves. Micro-nutrients, required only in tiny amounts, are definitely essential to healthy plant growth. Bonsai soil lacking in micro-nutrients can seriously affect the plant’s health and resistance to stress. Additionally, Bonsai soil with Micorrhizae can greatly enhance the trees ability to gather and regulate uptake of water and nutrients, as well as enhance its resistance to stress.

Professional Bonsai Soil

Those who practice the fine art of bonsai have known for years the very special qualities that professional bonsai soil imparts to soil mixes. Its unique properties help provide free passage of air and water to root systems while significantly reducing soil compaction. This unique bonsai soil is produced by expanding and vitrifying selected shale in a rotary kiln at temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees F. This process makes the soil sterile and environmentally inert. It is a natural non-toxic, highly absorbent ceramic granule with a generally neutral PH. It is dimensionally stable and will not degrade like other amending products. There is no need for it to be re-applied year after year. A good bonsai soil profile is approximately 25% water, 25% air and 50% solid particulate matter. However, when soils are compacted, an imbalance occurs. Solid particles are pressed together, and water and air are squeezed out. With less pore space, soils become too dense for the movement of air, water and nutrients, and the favorable environment for the beneficial microbial activity necessary in a healthy growing medium, is lost. Professional bonsai soil absorbs excess water during rain or watering, then slowly releases this excess water as the soil dries acting in effect like a time release capsule. Professional bonsai soil can be used with a blend of soil mix or by itself.