soil for tropicals

Hello, Steve from Naples, what is the best soil composition for tropical bonsai?

apart from a general region (tropics) thats a pretty vague question with many variables (species, what substrate materials are easily sourced in your area, etc...)

these folks are "right up the road" from naples: http://wigertsbonsai.com/

erik and andrea are great people and could offer specific advice based what you are growing and how you are hoping to grow it

pretty incredible place to visit too

Kevin is right, best soil to use has a big "location" component. Those of us like me, in the great white north use a mix that probably would not work for your area, because your humidity, sun, temperatures are all quite different than ours.

Most good bonsai mixes, even for tropicals have a fair amount of pumice, and other sharp structured particles. In Florida, pumice might not be readily available. Weigerts can show you what they use, and that will be locally available materials. Seek them out. Or seek out other growers in your area.

Thsi re pot I am using the Walter Pall regimen.However,the variety of inorganic substrate components that it's possible to acquire here is limited:
Tezontle(red lava rock)
Pea Grave(quartz based)
Outer husk of coconut(not 'coir',which is the manufactured product).
Mr. Pall does not recommend 'sand',which I take to mean gravel as well.Or am I wrong there?
So...I am left with red lava and the coconut.
I am going to have to prepare the coconut myself. Shall I take the outer shell,chop up the outer fiber into one half inch pieces,and also break up the outer shell into chips???
Thanks.

George,

look for a heap of old coconuts you are after composted stuff.

Dry it and and see how much water it holds - say, how many teaspoons of water to say 4 ozs of coconut compost.

You should be able to get by with an inorganic and an organic.

BUT aren't you just ground growing for trunks and root placement on tiles ?

Steve,

if you are humid, the organic component will be considerably less and your inorganic may be non-porous.

If you are trying for larger trunks and root placement, your focus should be ground growing as well.

If you must have a Bonsai, you can always look for a few cheap mallsai.
Laters,
Khaimraj