Hi! I decided to return to my bonsai hobby after I quit the sport for a number of years because I was so upset after all my bonsai died...

So now I am learning I had the soil all wrong, and that there are a number of right ways to do it depending on location and tree. But what is right for my area?

I live in the Salt Lake Valley at ~4500ft elevation, zone 7, it is “semi-arid steppe” with only about 17 inches of precipitation annually. It rarely gets over 100 F or below 10 F

I have recently purchased about 25 each of Rocky Mountain Juniper, Japanese Maple, and 10 crabapple seedlings (I know I am a bit fool hardy)

Recommendations for soil? I really don’t think I can handle another mass bonsai death

Oni-ni-bonsai wrote:

Hi! I decided to return to my bonsai hobby after I quit the sport for a number of years because I was so upset after all my bonsai died...

Well, trees dying are part of the game here. That should improve with time and experience.

Oni-ni-bonsai wrote:

So now I am learning I had the soil all wrong, and that there are a number of right ways to do it depending on location and tree. But what is right for my area?

I live in the Salt Lake Valley at ~4500ft elevation, zone 7, it is “semi-arid steppe” with only about 17 inches of precipitation annually. It rarely gets over 100 F or below 10 F

Maybe you should read these two articles. It would greatly help understanding the soil principles and how to tackle this task according to your trees, your climate, your watering regime, etc.

www.bonsaiempire.com/basics/bonsai-care/advanced/bonsai-soil
adamaskwhy.com/2018/01/30/akadama-the-ideal-bonsai-soil/

Oni-ni-bonsai wrote:

I have recently purchased about 25 each of Rocky Mountain Juniper, Japanese Maple, and 10 crabapple seedlings (I know I am a bit fool hardy)

Holy cow! 25x3+10 = 85 seedlings... That is quite a few. Maybe you should have employed that money better by buying just a couple of pre-bonsai trees. It will take years before you can do anything to your saplings, other than watering and fertilizing that is.

Oni-ni-bonsai wrote:

Recommendations for soil? I really don’t think I can handle another mass bonsai death

For this, again, read above.

Hope this helps.

Alain

I appreciate your response!

Oni-ni-bonsai wrote:

I have recently purchased about 25 each of Rocky Mountain Juniper, Japanese Maple, and 10 crabapple seedlings (I know I am a bit fool hardy)

Recommendations for soil? I really don’t think I can handle another mass bonsai death

I can assure you you will not be loosing any bonsai the next 15/20 years.

Hey neighbor

I live in the salt lake valley as well

*Disclaimer*
I’m just a newbie in cultivating bonsai trees (2 years in) so I’m not the most experienced person to be giving advices.
But here’s my humble experience with growing bonsai in Utah

The soil I use is the generally recommended mix of Akadama/Pumice/Lava Rock
1/1/1 ratio
All my trees seem to like it and are growing well in this soil mix.
They do have to be watered at least twice a day during growing season

In my first season I was afraid of SLC’s dry-hot summer so I added Pete moss to one of my trees, big mistake! The soil compacted in a few months, the Elm tree had to be repotted the following spring due to poor drainage.

Hope this helps
Good luck

Rodox wrote:

Hey neighbor

Hey Rodox,

welcome to the empire.
Note that the thread you are responding to is 9 months old. Omni bonsai has not been around for a long time, afaik.

Doh
I probably should’ve checked the date lol

Anyways thanks for the heads up...
I’ve been a silent expectator here in the forum for a while and I appreciate the knowledge you shared

Rodox wrote:

Anyways thanks for the heads up...
I’ve been a silent expectator here in the forum for a while and I appreciate the knowledge you shared

No worries. I am glad you like the post. From now on.. Stay off the bench, and rather play the game. Share what is on your bench maybe?