Bonsai is very popular in the West today. People are eager to grow their first bonsai. For a beginner one of the basic questions to ask is whether the bonsai can be grown on any soil or does it need specific bonsai soil. Since the soil content in a bonsai is really small you do need to make sure that the soil has all the nutrients. Today there are many nurseries and internet sites that are selling bonsai soil. Very often people learn to mix their own soils based on their experience with different bonsai trees.

Good Soil Characteristics

Whether you mix your own soil or buy from a nursery, the soil needs to have-
? Good aeration- soil should consist of particles that leave tiny gaps for air to occupy. These air gaps are necessary for healthy roots as they provide them access to oxygen.
? Good water retention- soil should be able to retain and hold the right quantity of water to provide moisture to the tree in between watering.
? Good drainage- excess water should always drain out. Good drainage prevents root rot.

When you are buying bonsai soil or preparing your own soil, you have to keep in mind that each tree species has its own requirements. For example, Pines and Junipers do not require much water, thus they require less water retentive soil. Flowering plants, on the other hand, need a lot of water: therefore, you need to make sure that the soil has good water-retention capability. To get the right soil mix, most experienced bonsai enthusiasts end up mixing their own soil.

Another important factor that comes up for consideration while buying bonsai soil is whether to go for organic or inorganic soil. Many people swear by organic soil as it has all the nutrients in natural form. Organic soil releases the nutrients slowly and maintains the health of the plants. Inorganic soil on the other hand releases the nutrients too quickly and after a certain time even plants become resistant to inorganic fertilizers.

Many bonsai enthusiasts prefer using inorganic soil mixtures because these mixtures have the capability of retaining their open structure for a long time. Some of the inorganic soils that are used in bonsai are Akadama (Japanese baked clay), Seramis (fired clay) and Cat litter.

Should I go for organic or inorganic? The answer should be based on your experience. If you are a beginner, you should find out what others are using in your area and you can take it up from there. Some people do fine with organic soil mixtures, while others have good experiences with inorganic soil. You can start experimenting today and then come up with the right soil mix for your bonsai.