Should I use a special Bonsai soil or just normal soil?
The increased popularity of growing Bonsai trees and plants hasbrought with it many more specialist shops; the Internet beingvirtually awash with Bonsai supplies. As a beginner, it is usualfor people to go out and buy everything they think they couldpossibly want to ever grow a Bonsai. However, there is a goodchance you may not need it. You can buy Bonsai soil at veryreasonable prices now, and this soil is mixed to a perfectcombination of nutrients, soil and grit that will help yourBonsai grow, but many practitioners of the ancient art of Bonsaiwould probably consider this cheating.
As a beginner, it is important that you do what you can to makeyour first Bonsai as successful as possible. Many people willthrow in the towel after just one failure, and when you considerhow long a Bonsai can take to reach maturity this really isn'tan overnight hobby. You must get into a regime of regularwatering, annual potting and plenty of care and attention inorder to be able to enjoy a beautiful Bonsai for your troubles.
Is Bonsai soil expensive?
Bonsai soil shouldn't be costing you very much more than normalpotting compost or bags of nutrient rich soil that you use inyour garden. A good Bonsai soil, however, may contain a longlist of ingredients including clay, soil and even bark. Some ofthese ingredients are loaded with the nutrients that your Bonsaiwill thrive on, and paying that little extra can certainlypromote good healthy growth from your beloved project.
Whether you decide you want to use bags of Bonsai soil or makeyour own soil there are certain things you need to make sure ofbefore planting your Bonsai in the soil. A good Bonsai soilneeds to have excellent drainage to make sure the water can seepto the roots and out of the bottom of the soil and through theholes in your pot. It is a good idea to have two differentsoils, one coarser than the other. This way, the screened soilacts as a sort of irrigation for your plants.
As well as this, you may want to consider buying nutrientsupplements that you can add when repotting or mix with the soilthat you use. However, if you are growing your Bonsai in asuitable area this isn't always needed.
About the author:Bonsia HQ, for lots ofinformation about looking after your bonsai.
