Soil Mix for Shohin Bonsai

Hi Guys,

I know I'm getting a bit ahead of the game here but can anyone help me with a soil mix that would be suitable for Shohin & Mame trees? I've got alot of material that is gunna need potting on next year and most of the soil mixes that I've used in the past, mostly nursery brought, the particle sizes seem a wee bit on the large size so I was looking to mix my own.

Background; I live in Kent so tend to get the warmer of the weather in the UK, I have 2 small children who like to help and all my stands are uncovered.

I hope that this is enough info, but if not let me know,
Love, Peace & Bananas,
Simon

I generally use exactly the same mix as I would for larger trees of the same species, but screen out the larger particles. I still wouoldn't include the "fines" as you don't want it to be clogging the smaller drainage holes and/or holding water all the time.

My smallest trees and accent plants tend to remain on trays of damp sand, to increase the humidity and reduce the chance of disastrous drying out completely. They are moved about frequently on the sand to reduce the rooting down that inevitably occurs.

Being in Kent I would think getting a mix correct to retain enough water during the heat of the day would be difficult,Have you visited Morten Albeks site..Also his book Majesty in Miniature is a fantastic read and covers everything you need to know about Shohin and Mame...

http://www.shohin-europe.com/index.html

Kev
Thanks for the tip. As my local shop has shut I was looking to buy the base elements from a nursery nearby, who doesn't do his own mix for sale, and have a crack myself. What ingredients would you recommend?

Bob
I do have Morton's book and it's fantastic but it doesn't really cover soil mixes hence my question.

For shohin, I use the same mix as for any other tree.

Mame can use the same mix with the coarser material gone, but half and half with composted pine (or other) bark.