So reading one of the bonsai books I’ve obtained, it suggests soil type for a Japanese garden juniper to be “a well draining mix of 40% organic matter and 60% inorganic”.

Can someone explain in simple terms what products ( possibly available brands ) I need to buy please?

Thanks, Lee.

Not that I necessarily agree that there are one soil that works for all climates.

My organic part is allways bark mulch.

My inorganic is allways a mix of pumice, lava rock and absorbant clay.

All products I use is made in scandinavia. I do not think it is worth mentioning them. Makes no sence shipping soil components around the world no matter if it is from scandinavia or Japan. Go look for what locally produced options there are around you.

Thanks for your reply, and appreciate what you say about shipping however the reason I ask is I have no dedicated bonsai shops anywhere near me only garden centres. The best I can find is an all in one bonsai mix that garden centres sell.
Not knowing if this is suitable I’m asking in a bid so that I may order either from a bonsai shop or dreaded Amazon.

None of my soil components come from a dedicated bonsai shop. Most of them around here just sell expensive japanese stuff.

Bark mulch comes from my closest garden center. Pumice and lava rock comes from a landscaping business. The burnt clay comes from a company specialiced in supply of machines and consumables used in sanitizing industrial floors and roads.

If your local garden center sells ready mixed bonsai soil and you just have a few trees that sounds like an excellent option. After all most substrates works well if you just adapt your watering to the soil.

Ok thanks. I’ll look into what I can get locally. After all I have time as I won’t be repotting until spring.

My organic component is used coffee grounds. Basically free, and I generate more than I need.

Now that’s interesting, I too get through a lot of coffee. I’ll start saving it. What else do you mix it with?

Lee.