Bonsai Soil – For Growing Bonsai Plants Effectively
Bonsai soil can be termed as the support medium that includes the organic material which contains all the elements that are necessary for the growth of the bonsai tree, which ultimately results in the shaping and pruning of the tree to give it a perfect shape. These soil products can be obtained from fertilizers, bark, dead leaves or grass. Although bonsai soil can be procured from natural sources, it has been found that these soils are quite deficient when it comes to fertilizing the trees. Fertilizing bonsai soil therefore becomes inevitable, as this is the medium in which the tree grows and attains its majestic shape. This medium is then watered so that the tree grows well and attains its majestic look.
Bonsai soils consist of organic inorganic material along with trace amounts of inorganic material. Organic material mainly consists of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur and other trace elements while the inorganic material consists of sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and others. Bonsai soils can be categorized as either clay-based or water-based. Clay-based bonsai soil retains water quite well and hence does not let the roots of the tree to rot easily. Water-based soils allow the roots of the bonsai to drain into the soil so that they can get the moisture that is required by them for healthy growth.
Generally, bonsai soil should be mixed in two parts one part with water and the other part with compost. It is best that the watering and composting should be done after every watering, so that the root system of the plant gets adequate time to fully develop and the fertilizer is dissolved completely. Most bonsai growers also opt for organic mulches in the form of pine needles, dried corn stalks and straws, which make excellent soil mixes. However, if the bonsai pots are of square or rectangular shapes then it is recommended to use high quality potting soil.