HELP ME MAKE MY BONSAI SOIL MIX..no soil mix in my city available

Sir/Madam,
I, a new to the world of bonsai, have started growing bonsai for about 4 years. I
have some banyan trees in my training pot which i wish to repot to a
bonsai pot soon. I am from Kolkata ( where there is a good climate for ficus and banyan bonsai growing due to the high humidity thoughout the year) and since there are no suppliers
for bonsai soil mix here in my city, i wish to make the mix myself.
But i am facing the problem of knowledge about the soil and what
elements and fertilizers to add so that my banyan trees would adapt to
the conditions. Please help..


thanking you

Prosanta Adak, Kolkata, WB, INDIA

Prosanta,

try a simple mix of builder's gravel [ also called sharp sand, it's what is used in casting concrete ] at 5 to 6 mm in size.
You can use the easily found stainless steel sieves [ you know the one with the three of four removable sieves , flour sieve ]

AND can you locate cured cow manure or compost?
Take out anything too large for use with the sieves.

You only need a very little organic material - very little - say a mix by volume [ you can use a measuring cup or other ] try 5 to 6 parts of the gravel to 1 part organic.

The idea is your soil mix should be freely draining, and so water passes through easily.

Remember when repotting, if you interfere with the roots, to place the plant in shade [ bright light, but no sun or wind ] for about a week.
Watch your watering until you see the trees starting to grow.

Fertilise at 1/3 strength -------- 1 month ----------- afterwards ----------- if needed.

As usual test this on one plant first and make sure it works, please don't do all of your trees.
Later.
Khaimraj

Prosanta, I don't know what specific products are available in your area. There are however, some general products you might want to look for. Look for any kind of fire clay/diatomite absorbents. There's probably something that fits that format in your area.

Khaimraj Seepersad wrote:Prosanta,

try a simple mix of builder's gravel [ also called sharp sand, it's what is used in casting concrete ] at 5 to 6 mm in size.
You can use the easily found stainless steel sieves [ you know the one with the three of four removable sieves , flour sieve ]

AND can you locate cured cow manure or compost?
Take out anything too large for use with the sieves.

You only need a very little organic material - very little - say a mix by volume [ you can use a measuring cup or other ] try 5 to 6 parts of the gravel to 1 part organic.

The idea is your soil mix should be freely draining, and so water passes through easily.

Remember when repotting, if you interfere with the roots, to place the plant in shade [ bright light, but no sun or wind ] for about a week.
Watch your watering until you see the trees starting to grow.

Fertilise at 1/3 strength -------- 1 month ----------- afterwards ----------- if needed.

As usual test this on one plant first and make sure it works, please don't do all of your trees.
Later.
Khaimraj

thank u so much for this valuable information, and yes i have a good amount of treated compost(very good quality) and cow manures. I am also planning to use fireclay and i am going to visit a farming shop. HOpe i get good info. And yes i have also collected a fair amount of the kind of gravel u have advised me... i am very much affectionate towards my banyans. i have worked really hard for the last two years to get those aerial roots in good numbers. Hope I get success with the soil job. Thanks to all ...for your replies and time

Prosanta,

hold off on the fired clay, if you are in an area of high humidity. Ficus does not need a soil that holds a lot of moisture, which why I suggested a low level of organic material.

Try just two ingredients and see how that goes first.
Controlled experimenting.
Khaimraj