| Nebraska Bonsai |
Secret recipe on how to make bonsai soil
If this seems like a lot of trouble, or you just don't have the time to make your own, we will be glad
to sell you any amount you require. You may contact us at this link to order soil click here.
to sell you any amount you require. You may contact us at this link to order soil click here.
You may enlarge any image in these instructions by double clicking on the image.
First of all there is no definitive way to make bonsai soil, the materials and processes used by various
retailers and individuals will vary greatly. This is the way we do it and have had excellent success, so if you
have heard of some other material being used or done differently that is probably so, though the basics
remain the same, Screen out the fine particles and the large pieces from the materials you are using, Using 3
basic materials that should be equivalent to (1) organic material, (2)course gravel or something equivalent,
(3) sharp sand or something equivalent.
These are the three materials we use here:
(1). Soil pepp which is basically chipped pine bark, this is bought at a local landscaping store. This gives
nutrients and allows your mix to retain moisture
retailers and individuals will vary greatly. This is the way we do it and have had excellent success, so if you
have heard of some other material being used or done differently that is probably so, though the basics
remain the same, Screen out the fine particles and the large pieces from the materials you are using, Using 3
basic materials that should be equivalent to (1) organic material, (2)course gravel or something equivalent,
(3) sharp sand or something equivalent.
These are the three materials we use here:
(1). Soil pepp which is basically chipped pine bark, this is bought at a local landscaping store. This gives
nutrients and allows your mix to retain moisture
2).Clean road gravel bought from a local landscaping supply store. DO NOT use road gravel collected from
the road side, it may contain contaminates from vehicles and road salts, which you do not want in your soil.
The clean road gravel allows good drainage and will help prevent root rot.
the road side, it may contain contaminates from vehicles and road salts, which you do not want in your soil.
The clean road gravel allows good drainage and will help prevent root rot.
(3). Chick grit bought at a local farm supply store. This is crushed granite, and be careful you don't get
crushed oyster shells or something else of the sort depending on the area of the country you live in, sharp
sand will work also. This has sharp edges and allows for good root division, which in turn makes for good
branch ramification (lots of fine branching in your trees).
crushed oyster shells or something else of the sort depending on the area of the country you live in, sharp
sand will work also. This has sharp edges and allows for good root division, which in turn makes for good
branch ramification (lots of fine branching in your trees).
Okay.............. So now you have your 3 basic materials for your soil.,Now you need a set of screens to
remove the particles that are smaller than 1/16th inch and larger than 1/4inch. Here is a picture of a set of
3 screens bought from a local nursery, these are 1/16th, 1/8th, and 1/4 in size, we use just 2 sizes 1/16th
and 1/4.
remove the particles that are smaller than 1/16th inch and larger than 1/4inch. Here is a picture of a set of
3 screens bought from a local nursery, these are 1/16th, 1/8th, and 1/4 in size, we use just 2 sizes 1/16th
and 1/4.
Pictured below, I have built my own set of larger screens from 2x4's, window screen, and a 1/4 inch screen
bought from a local hardware store, These are used for screening large amounts of materials quickly.
bought from a local hardware store, These are used for screening large amounts of materials quickly.
Pictured below is clean screened road gravel, and screened soil pepp, we do not screen the chick grit
though depending on what you use you may want to screen out the fine particles from it. Generally for
deciduous trees we use 2 parts soil pepp 1 part clean road gravel, and 1/2 part chick grit mixed well. For
pine trees we use 2 parts soil pepp 1 1/2 parts clean road gravel and just a tad bit more than 1/2 part chick
grit mixed well. Your pine trees will prefer a more free draining mixture than the deciduous trees.
though depending on what you use you may want to screen out the fine particles from it. Generally for
deciduous trees we use 2 parts soil pepp 1 part clean road gravel, and 1/2 part chick grit mixed well. For
pine trees we use 2 parts soil pepp 1 1/2 parts clean road gravel and just a tad bit more than 1/2 part chick
grit mixed well. Your pine trees will prefer a more free draining mixture than the deciduous trees.
Under the 3 screens in the white barrel is completed bonsai soil ready to use or for sale. There........ the
secret is out, I hope this helps you in some way or another, good luck!! If you feel this is to much trouble
again you may purchase soil from us, to inquire click on this link click here for bonsai soil.
secret is out, I hope this helps you in some way or another, good luck!! If you feel this is to much trouble
again you may purchase soil from us, to inquire click on this link click here for bonsai soil.
