Regardless of whether outdoor Bonsai trees are deciduous or evergreen varieties, you need to take extra care of them during the winter months. This page is all about how to cater for outdoor Bonsai varieties in order to keep them in tip top health and looking great all year round.

A naturally growing tree normally has roots that are protected by its soil. However, a Bonsai that is kept in a shallow pot is typically exposed to harsh winter conditions, which is why you need to protect it yourself.

Perfect Example Of Outdoor Bonsai Trees Lovingly Sculpted

Image by Carl_C

If the area you live in normally has violent winter weather, then you may want to consider bringing your Bonsai plants indoors for the duration of winter. While some outdoor species may not do so well in a heated home, they could thrive in an unheated shed or garage.

Deciduous Outdoor Bonsai Need Careful Treatment

If your outdoor Bonsai trees are deciduous species, you should allow it to go into dormancy during winter. Whatever you do, you should avoid bringing deciduous trees indoors as cold winter weather sets in, then taking it out into the cold once again.

And whether you leave your trees outdoors or house them in an unheated shelter, you should always imitate the natural protection it gets from soil with mulch. You may pile the mulch up to its branches whenever necessary. Furthermore, you should not forget to water the trees, especially during dry winter weather.

Brussel’s CT9005CE Chinese Elm Bonsai

• Deciduous outdoor bonsai
• The small leaves are ideally suited for bonsai
• Imported from northern China
• 5 years old; 9 inches tall
• Ulmus parvifolia

Chinese Elms are deciduous trees with small leaves and fine twigging on their secondary branches. These trees are imported from Chinese nurseries where the branches have been painstakingly trained for years. Chinese Elms are durable and may be disp

List Price: $ 40.00

Price:

10 Inch Rectangular Bonsai Pot with Tray

• 10-inch classic deep brown bonsai pot with matching humidity tray
• Made of a poly-resin with a slightly matted finish
• Durable won’t crack in the winter retain their color for years and are extremely economical
• Biggest selling color and style of bonsai pots in the world

This is a 10-inch classic deep brown bonsai pot with matching humidity tray. Both are made of a poly-resin with a slightly matted finish. This pot and tray are durable – won’t crack in the winter, retain their color for years and are extremely econ

List Price: $ 14.90

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Protecting Your Outdoor Bonsai Tree

However, you choose to protect your outdoor trees, be sure to begin protecting them before the winter weather turns freezing and continue protecting it until well into spring, when all traces of frost are gone. Avoid fertilizing your Bonsai during winter, since you would not want to facilitate growth at this time. This really key, as I actually killed my Bougainvillea Bonsai by neglecting this one vital aspect.

When you finally return your trees to their usual place, be sure to place it under a bit of shade at first so it can adjust properly to the sunny environment. You may then begin taking care of re-potting, pruning, and wiring chores when spring arrives. As long as you take proper care of them, every season of every year can offer fresh rewards from your amazingly lovely outdoor Bonsai trees.

Bougainvillea Bonsai can be very showy pieces, especially in places where there is warm weather for a large part of the year. I love to use a Bonsai turntable to showcase my plants 360 degrees!

However, this species can also be a bit tricky to grow and care for, so you may want to learn as much about it as you can before including it in your Bonsai collection.

Gnarled Bonsai Bougainvillea

Image by a_sorense
could be a home to some sort of psychedelic mouse.

Bonsai Bougainvillea

Image by ewen and donabel

General Bougainvillea Bonsai Care Tips

Lighting and Temperature
The Bougainvillea is a tropical plant that likes warm and humid weather as well as lots of sunlight. You should grow them in full sunlight or at least partial shade. Be careful not to keep them in full shade as that can cause their leaves to grow large and limit flowering. While some nurseries may sell this species as an indoor variety, it really thrives in plenty of sunlight.

If you do choose to keep it indoors, then you should plan to keep your Bougainvillea Bonsai under a skylight facing south or use grow lights that are adequately powerful. These plants should also be protected from the slightest amount of frost. Take note that temperatures below 50 degrees are likely to cause a major leaf drop, while those under 40 degrees may cause the upper part to die out.

Fertilization
To facilitate good growth in your Bougainvillea, you need to make sure that it receives sufficient nutrients from its soil. If you fail to provide your specimen with adequate nutrients, it is likely to exhaust all organic matter found in its soil and produce yellow leaves. The species can only achieve its true flowering beauty when it is adequately and properly fertilized.

Pruning and Shaping
The Bougainvillea is a vining species and may be pruned at any time within the growing season. They are relatively easy to shape as they readily bud back after pruning.

Brussel’s Bougainvillea Bonsai

• Tropical beauty – indoor bonsai
• Blooms in July and August
• Grown under carefully controlled conditions
• 5 Years old; 12 inches tall
• Bougainvillea glabra ‘Pixie’

Our Dwarf Bougainvillea bonsai have a compact growth habit and produce bright pink blooms. This along with a wonderful heart-shaped leaf make this rare dwarf variety a great bonsai. Bougainvillea should be grown in a sunny location.

List Price: $ 36.00

Even better news is that you can shape it into almost all Bonsai styles, thus making the Bougainvillea Bonsai a truly excellent specimen to include in your collection.

Moving your Bonsai around as you train it can be a much easier process if you have a Bonsai turntable, which is manufactured primarily for the purpose of making it easier for you to train and shape your plants. In fact, you can do everything that needs to be done as part of growing your miniaturized trees on a turntable, from trimming to wiring to fertilizing to re-potting.

Joshua Roth Bonsai Turntable

• Black ABS Plastic can be used indoors or outdoors
• Steel ball bearings are protected from moisture to resist rusting.
• Holds 25 lbs without binding.
• Weighs only 13 oz. – easy to carry to meetings and events.

The construction of this turntable lends it to outdoor as well as indoor use. Steel ball bearings are fairly well protected from moisture to resist rusting. A large coin-slot screw provides ready access for cleaning and maintenance.

List Price: $ 29.95

Bonsai Boy’s Bonsai Turntable Indoor or Outdoor

• 6″ diameter grained top surface reduces slipping and holds over 25 pounds without binding

The construction of this turntable lends itself to outdoor as well as indoor use. Steel ball bearings are well protected from moisture to resist rusting, and a large coin-slot screw provides ready access for cleaning and maintenance.

List Price: $ 44.95

Dallas Bonsai Garden’s Black Plastic Turntable From Japan

11 3/4″. No positive stop. Will hold over 100 pounds.

List Price: $ 34.21

A Word Of Warning…

Perhaps the only thing for which a turntable is not recommended is watering your Bonsai. Applying a Bonsai Tree Fertilizer on a turntable is fine though, if you are using pellets. But as with watering, when it comes to liquid solutions – same rules apply. Of course there is no hard and fast rule. But for me, I have had too many spillages over the years and prefer to play it safe!

What NOT to do with your Bonsai if its on a turntable!

Image by 1967geezer

While there are some types of Bonsai turntable that you can use in any type of working environment and under any conditions, you generally have to keep the environment and conditions in mind when choosing your turntables. There are turntables specifically designed for wet conditions as well as dry ones.

And there are also those that are best-suited to environments with direct sunlight and those that are better-suited to areas with indirect sunlight. You may want to seek advice from an experienced Bonsai practitioner who can assist you in making the decision as to the right turntables to use.

Buying A Bonsai Turntable

Regardless of the conditions, though, you will have to make sure that the turntables you buy are sturdy enough to support the weight of the plants it will be used for. Those with stainless steel bearings are recommended, since these bearings are rust-resistant.

A disassembly feature is also advisable for easy cleaning after every use. This can also ensure the longevity of your turntable. And one thing that is often overlooked, but may be very important is a locking screw that allows you to lock the turntable into place while you work on one side of your plant.

Aesthetics should be the least of your concerns, unless you plan to use your Bonsai turntable to display your plants as well.

Just like any other thing that grows on soil, Bonsai specimens need adequate nutrients in order to grow properly, which is why you will need to learn as much as you can about the right way to apply Bonsai tree fertilizer. If you follow these tips you will be well on the way to cultivating healthy and happy Bonsai!

Ancient Bonsai beautiful and healthy from many years of watering, shaping and fertilization

Image by fiskadoro
over 150 years old!

Watering naturally washes away some of the nutrients in the soil, so you will need to replenish them regularly if you truly want your tree to thrive and achieve its true beauty. Use Bonsai shears to prune and trim your Tree often in conjunction with a structured watering and fertilization schedule in order to maintain plant health.  Here are some very useful tips on how to fertilize your Bonsai plants:

1. Most Bonsai practitioners and enthusiasts apply fertilizers in pellet form. These fertilizers are commonly referred to as Osmocote. It breaks down slowly into the Bonsai soil and has the ability to fertilize your plants for several weeks.

2. The perfect time of year to apply Bonsai tree fertilizer is from the early spring months until late autumn.

3. When fertilizing your trees in the autumn months, however, you should remember not to feed them with fertilizers that contain nitrogen. Fertilizers with no nitrogen content can usually be found only in nurseries that specialize in Bonsai. These types of fertilizers can adequately harden your trees and get them ready for the approaching winter months. If you are unable to find any fertilizer without nitrogen content, then it would be better not to apply any fertilizer at all.

4. Each time you fertilize your Bonsai plants, make sure you apply just the right amount of fertilizer. This is easily ensured by reading package instructions carefully as well as by seeking advice from a known Bonsai expert in your area. Take note that applying too much fertilizer may burn the root system of your trees.

Buy Bonsai Tree Fertilizer

Bonsai Boy’s Slow Release Bonsai Fertilizer Pellets

• 3 oz. packs
• Easy to use

Just sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of these slow release bonsai fertilizer pellets on top of the soil. Each time you water, the tree will receive nutrients. One application will last 3-6 months.
4oz.

List Price: $ 7.95

Price:

Bonsai Boy’s Slow Release Bonsai Fertilizer Pellets 20% Off Regular Price

• 3 oz. packs
• Easy to use

Just sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of these slow release bonsai fertilizer pellets on top of the soil. Each time you water, the tree will receive nutrients. One application will last 3-6 months.
4oz.

List Price: $ 6.36

Price:

Bonsai Tree Ferilizer – Biogold Original – from Joebonsai

• Highest quality Bonsai ferilizer on the market
• Has everything your Bonsai tree needs
• Clean – no smell – environmentally friendly
• 6 month supply
• Triangular Pellets – Will not roll off the pot.

BioGold is one of the top Japanese imported brands of bonsai fertilizers and is fully organic.

Simply place the pellets on the soil surface of your bonsai and every time you water you give your bonsai the fertilizer it needs to stay healthy and gree

List Price: $ 6.95

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Bear these tips in mind every time you apply Bonsai tree fertilizer, and you can surely look forward to an amazingly beautiful Bonsai collection.

When practicing the ancient art of Bonsai, Japanese Bonsai shears should be among the very first tools you acquire. Sometimes called Bonsai scissors, these are very effective at trimming plant roots, branches, and twigs. You can even use them to trim difficult species that require a fine hand and a delicate touch, like Bonsai Cactus.

Image by *bri*

The razor-sharp blades of traditional shears used in this form of art typically act like a pair of knives and are designed specifically to produce clean cuts instead of crushing the twigs and branches the way common household scissors do.

When using Bonsai shears with some stainless steel tools, you can trim your miniaturized trees with confidence and be assured that you will not cause it any damage.

Different Sized Bonsai Shears For Different Jobs…

A lot of Bonsai practitioners have more than just one pair of shears in their arsenal and that is quite understandable, as these are probably the most commonly-used tools in maintaining Bonsai trees. And having different sizes of Bonsai shears can make the job of cultivating Bonsai a lot easier. Make sure you know which size of shears to use, though, since using shears of the wrong size can lead to disastrous and often irreparable mistakes.

Hydrofarm HGBS400 60mm Bonsai Shears

• Surgical stainless steel
• Ultra light and ergonomic
• Ideal for cutting and trimming
• High quality springs

Surgical stainless steel holds sharper edge longer, Right or left handed useUltra-light simplistic design, Ultra-light simplistic design, Ideal for cutting and trimming flowers. 60mm cutting capacity.

List Price: $ 18.99

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Fiskars 9921 Softouch Micro-Tip Pruning Snip

• Fiskars pruning snip is ideal for the precision trimming and shaping of flowers and small plants
• Pruning snip has a 1-1/2-inch rust-resistant stainless steel blade
• The 5-inch softouch ergonomic handle fits well in small to medium sized hands
• Use for flower and herb gardening, bonsai, houseplant maintenance, and floral arranging
• Lifetime warranty

Our Softouch Micro-Tip Pruning Snip makes deadheading, trimming and shaping plants easy, so easy, it’s earned the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation. A Easy Action design opens the blades after each cut to reduce hand strain, and the hig

List Price: $ 12.99

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Clauss 33373 8″ Bonsai Shears

• Long Shanks, Short Length of Cut
• Perfect for Bonsai and Cutting Hard to Reach Places
• Soft, Flexible, Comfort Bows

List Price: $ 22.22

Price:

Generally, you will need a pair of medium-sized shears for use in general pruning. You will also need a pair of small Bonsai scissors for use in trimming leaves. A larger pair of shears is often useful for both purposes. Make sure you do not force small shears to cut bigger branches. In fact, you should not force any tool and avoid using household scissors on your plants.

Bonsai Pruning Shears
Video Rating: 5 / 5

If your miniaturized trees simply need an occasional trimming, then a basic pair of shears should be enough for your needs. As your collection grows, however, you may feel the need to buy additional Bonsai tools. Whatever type of Bonsai shears you decide to use on your plants, the key is in maintaining their sharpness and cleanliness at all times.

Choosing the right pot size and type for your Bonsai Cactus is essential for its survival. Therefore, you need to learn as much as you can about potting your cactus properly before you first purchase Bonsai of this variety. Take note that Cacti may be kept in dish gardens when they are small, just like any other succulent plant.

Bonsai Cactus

Image by lukey dargons

Bonsai and Cactus

Image by malfet_
Took this picture in my parent’s kitchen

Cool little display!

Image by FullyFunctnlPhil

Clay trays used in the art of Bonsai are excellent options for starters. These plants may then be transferred into their own containers when they get too big for the tray. Another important thing you need to remember is that Cacti will maintain their size if you keep them dry. However, if you water them in low temperature or during dormancy, they are likely to rot.

Instant Cactus/Succulent Collection – 8 Plants 1″ pots

• You will get an assortment, 8 different species of Cacti growing in 1″ pots. The varieties you will receive vary with the season.
• Bright Light
• Water when dry
• Great House Plants
• Easy to grow

You will get an assortment, 8 different species of Cacti growing in 1″ pots. The varieties you receive will vary with the season.Cacti & Succulent Care Many people tend to think that cacti and succulents are too difficult to care for and decide agai

List Price: $ 14.99

Price:

Pumice for soil mix cactus succulent bonsai

For sale is the pictured pumice which has been cleaned and floated in water to remove other rocks and soil. You get very pure pumice only. The pumice size is approximately 1/4 to 3/4 inch in diameter. Pumice will be sent in priority mail flat rate bo

List Price: $ 15.99

Price:

NEW12″ B&W OVAL CERAMIC BONSAI CACTUS SUCCULENT POT 2

• Hand Painted
• High Fire Ceramic Pot
• Cactus and Succulents
• Bonsai
• House Plants

This is a very nice oval style ceramic pot in that it tapers, with raised ancient designs around the middle. It has 2 large drainage holes and made from kaolin clay then high fired for strenght and freeze resistance. The glazing is only the blue de

List Price: $ 12.95

Price:

Potting Cactus Bonsai

Avoid over-potting your Bonsai cactus as this often leads to root rot. What you can do when your Bonsai is already top-heavy is to place the original pot into a larger container and then fill the space in-between the two containers with gravel. Your plant now has a heavy base without you having to deal with root rot.

Make sure your cacti are kept in the smallest pots possible. To be more specific, the root ball of the plant should just fit inside the pot without too much space around it. Take note as well that the holes at the pot bottom may not be large enough for proper drainage for this species, so you may have to make the holes bigger. A screwdriver is ideal for working on clay pot, whereas a hot knife is recommended for plastic pots.

Soil For Cactus Bonsai

When choosing soil for a cactus, take note that drainage is a lot more important than potting material. Therefore, you should look for porous soil and spread it over a layer of gravel. Take note as well that the spineless varieties appreciate more humus in the potting mix. In handling spiny varieties, fold a newspaper into a narrow strip and then wrap it around the cactus like a harness.

Use a fresh paper for each plant. Do not rely on gloves in this case because the large spines can stab right through them and smaller spines can break off into the gloves, making them uncomfortable to use. Bonsai cactus can be an excellent addition to your miniature garden as long as you care for them properly.

Bonsai cactus can be an excellent addition to your miniature garden as long as you care for them properly.

You may be thinking of going out to purchase Bonsai plants and are wondering how you can ensure its quality, then you are definitely going to need the following tips:

1. Look for a reputable nursery or garden center with expert staff that can assist you in choosing the specimen that best suits your needs. The staff should be able to advise you on lighting, temperature, feeding, and other aspects of caring for these miniaturized plants. If a nursery or garden center cannot offer such valuable advice, then do not buy from them!

2. As much as possible, do not buy your specimen in malls or supermarkets. These specimens probably have not seen sunlight for days, so it does not really matter how cheap they are; they are likely to die in a few weeks, anyway.

3. Make sure you are familiar with whatever species you choose to buy and that the seller gives you comprehensive care instructions. Do not settle for just a label.

4. Check if the foliage is abundant and the soil is adequately wet. The plant should also be healthy and damage-free. Do not purchase Bonsai with health problems of any kind. Of course, if you choose deciduous varieties, then you can expect leaves to fall during autumn.

5. Make sure that the nursery or garden center you buy from has excellent aftercare services, so you can seek advice from them whenever necessary. This is especially important if you are a beginner in this art.

Purchase Bonsai As Gifts

If you are planning to give the Bonsai away as a gift, then you also have to make sure that the recipient naturally loves the art and can appreciate it. Also, make sure you check the vendors returns policy in the unlikely event that the gift needs to be returned.

(Click Here for a limited Bonsai Boy Coupon code to immediately take money off your Bonsai order.)

Just keep these basic tips in mind when you purchase Bonsai trees whether for yourself or for someone else and you should not go wrong.

If you want to keep Bonsai plants in your home, but do not have much time to cultivate them, then why not consider a preserved Bonsai tree instead? The biggest advantage of buying preserved Bonsai is that there is no need for watering, trimming, or fertilizing. And you get the added advantage of having a real tree instead of fake silk ones!

Alter Nature: We Can – Makoto Azuma – Frozen Pine & Shiki1 (2010)

Image by Z33 art centre, Hasselt

Advantages Of A Preserved Bonsai Tree

Most preserved Bonsai tree products you are likely to see are mounted in either resin or foam. And just like live Bonsai, they are also planted in beautiful ceramic pots for Bonsai. Furthermore, these trees also often come with moss and polished stone or river rocks to make them appear as genuine as possible.

They are, in fact, so magnificent that family and friends may not realize they are not live plants when they come for a visit. These trees can also be excellent gifts, especially if the intended recipient loves Bonsai as much as you do, but also does not have the time to practice it.

Buy A Preserved Bonsai Tree

Because of the beauty of these preserved specimens, you can place them in just about any room in your home and it will surely brighten up an otherwise empty and boring space.

Monterey – Triple Trunk-Preserved Bonsai Tree

Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. No watering, trimming or maintenance is required. With its timeless beauty evoking a feeling of nature, this accent piece accommodates any architectural setting. Our one-of-a-kind preserved bonsai is planted in a traditional glazed ceramic imported container.

List Price:
Price: 279.00

Monterey – Single Trunk-Preserved Bonsai Tree

Please allow up to 14 days for delivery. Neither plastic nor silk, this is a real live bonsai tree that was carefully crafted and preserved to protect its natural fragrance, color and texture indefinitely.

List Price:
Price: 59.95

So, if you want to get all the benefits of having Bonsai plants around your home, but do not have much time for practicing the art, then the preserved variety is definitely the way for you to go.

Preserved Juniper Bonsai Tree – Windswept Style

Our one-of-a-kind preserved bonsai is planted in a traditional glazed imported ceramic container. This is the ultimate in environmental control.

List Price:
Price: 49.95

Preserved Juniper Bonsai Tree – Upright Style

Neither plastic nor silk, this is a real live bonsai tree that was carefully crafted and preserved to protect its natural fragrance, color and texture indefinitely.

List Price:
Price: 59.95

Monterey – Single Trunk-Preserved Bonsai Tree

Our one-of-a-kind preserved bonsai is planted in a traditional glazed imported black ceramic pot. This is the ultimate in environmental control.

List Price:
Price: 59.95

Now you can enjoy the ageless beauty of a preserved Bonsai tree even without the hard work usually involved in cultivating live trees.

Whether you decide to go for classic Ceramic Pots for Bonsai or something altogether more modern, you will find a massive selection to choose from ranging wildly in both price and design ethos.

I personally love the classic beauty of simple Ceramics although the ultimate factor is what you prefer to witness your Bonsai in and of course what would suit each specimen.

In this post you will find a selection of Pots for Bonsai to browse at your leisure and also a simple step by step guide to making your own.

Ceramic Bonsai Pot – Rectangle 6.125″ x 5.0″ x 2.125″

List Price:
Price: 5.95

Ceramic Bonsai Pot – Green 6.125″ x 5.0″ x 2.125″

List Price:
Price: 5.95

Ceramic Bonsai Pot – Rectangle 6.125″ x 5.0″ x 2.125″

List Price:
Price: 5.95

Ceramic Bonsai Pot – Oval 12.0″ x 9.5″ x 3.375″

List Price:
Price: 24.95

Making Pots For Bonsai

If you feel that ceramic pots for Bonsai are just too expensive, then why not try making your own pots? Not only is this option much cheaper than buying the pots, but it can also make your Bonsai experience even more diverse and meaningful. Now, you will not only be caring for your trees, but making their homes as well. The best thing is that the procedures for making your own containers for Bonsai are actually very simple.

1. Gather old newspapers and documents, making sure to avoid glossy magazine pages.
2. Tear the gathered paper into strips and then soak them for several days in water.
3. Take the soaked paper and then create a fine mixture, just like making papier mache.
4. Get the same amount of cement as your paper mixture and then add a bit of fine polypropylene fibers. You can purchase the fibers from any builders store or online.
5. Mix together the cement and fibers and then add the paper. Mix them all together into an even mixture.

If your mixture is too dry, you may add some water, but be careful not to make it too wet. Now, you are ready to prepare the mould and proceed with shaping your pots for Bonsai. You may use old salad pots, ice cream tubs, or just about any water tight container for a mould. If your mould does not have space for the legs, you can simply get polystyrene, cut out the appropriate spaces, and then glue it to your mould.

Protecting Homemade Pots For Bonsai For Longevity

1. Coat the inside of the mould with oil.
2. Squeeze the mixture into the space for legs and then pour a layer of it over the bottom of your mould. Press it into a flat and smooth mass and then start building the walls by pressing the mixture against the sides of your mould.
3. Make drainage holes with bottle caps as well as smaller holes for tying-in wires.

Bonsai Pot by Kevin Thompson

Image by Old Mister Crow
A dark blue round bonsai pot from Maine artist Kevin Thompson

Ellis Ceramics. Bonsai pots plans and technical drawings

Image by Judith at Bemboka

Once the mixture has properly cured, turn the mould upside down and then bang it against a doormat on the floor. Voila! Now all you need to do is buy Bonsai soil and there you have it. You now have your very own pots for Bonsai.

If you are new to the art of Bonsai, then one of the things you need to realize is that you cannot just buy Bonsai soil indiscriminately. Take note that the kind of soil you use can affect the growth and development of your plants a great deal. After all, the soil is where half of your trees live, which is why it should be one of your major concerns when caring for Bonsai. This way the roots not only gain all of the nutrients thay they need for your Bonsai to prosper but you will also be ensuring the full health and longevity of your precious specimen.

Professional Bonsai Soil 10 lb. Bag (5 Qts.)

This unique bonsai soil is produced by expanding and vitrifying selected shale in a rotary kiln at temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees F. This process makes the soil sterile and environmentally inert. Perfect for all Bonsai.
List Price:
Price: 29.95

Lava Rock Granules Bonsai Tree Soil Additive – 2 lbs. (1 Qt.)

Lava Rock is a naturally occurring volcanic cinder that has a porous structure which makes the material lightweight and highly moisture retentive. Incorporate into your bonsai soil mix to increase drainage (aeration).
Price: 5.95

Decorative Crushed Shale (also used as our Professional Soil Mix)

Kiln dried shale that is also used on top of the soil to enhance the beauty of your bonsai. Color is two tone brown/black. Great decorative dressing.
List Price:
Price: 3.95

The needs of each species as regards the kind of soil used may vary, but the general rule is to use 30% grit and 70% humus when caring for deciduous species, and vice versa for evergreen needled trees. Pre prepared mixtures like the above take the headache out of having to create it yourself.

When You Buy Bonsai Soil, Make Sure It Is Right For Your Bonsai Species

It is, of course, advisable for you to learn the specific requirements of a species you are going to cultivate. For example, pines typically prefer more grit than what is usually recommended. In fact, Japanese purists normally grow pines in a hundred percent sand. Learn as much as you can about the soil requirements of your chosen species before you buy Bonsai soil for it to make sure all of its needs are met.

It is also advisable to learn how to make customized soil your plants and to use soil that perfectly fits not only plant requirements, but also your watering schedule.

Using Soil Sieving Screens

You may want to look into the possibility of using soil sieving screens. These screens make it easier to make custom soil for your plants. The smallest screen in a sieve set normally allows you to dispose of all fines in the soil components while the largest helps you take out debris.

Sieving Sample

Image by Wessex Archaeology
The rest of the screens help sort your soil into larger grades for big pot bottoms and smaller grades for the top as well as for small pots. Bear these tips in mind the next time you buy Bonsai soil.