Hey guys and girls,

I unfortunately don't live close to any Bonsai Nursery's or anything of the sort, just your bog standard garden centres.

In which they sell generic miracle grow bonsai soil. I have seen alot of people using Akadama with other things mixed into it? I started Bonsai with the intention to do everything as authentic as possible and I currently have some Black Pine seeds in cold stratification (and they have sprouted roots HURAHH!). Anyhow I want to give my bonsai the best chance they have and I feel many people use soils which are not the ones readily available in generic garden centres for a reason?

Can someone either send a link or two to an online retailer (preferable it was UK) or at least give me general tips on what to look for/buy?

I have a Zelkova, Ligustrum and hopefully soon a few Black Pine!

Many thanks to anybody who takes time out of their day to read my question.

Sorry for forgetting but if you cant guess from my original post, I am extremely new to bonsai and have thrown myself in the deep end so to speak, so any glaring mistakes please point out but don't witch hunt me

Luke.E wrote: Sorry for forgetting but if you cant guess from my original post, I am extremely new to bonsai and have thrown myself in the deep end so to speak, so any glaring mistakes please point out but don't witch hunt me

Cannot go wrong with ibuki substrate, which is sold in the UK by harry harrington, bonsai4me. Not what I use but if you are just starting off, this is perfect.

Your trees will need proper bonsai soil as soon they are ready for a bonsai pot,
Most of bonsai development is made in bigger pots or in ground. If you are in thatt phase, no need for special soil. Ordinary potting soil will do.

I did some thorough research myself, and for the Japanese Black Pine it is recommended a mix of 30% akadama, 30% pumice and 30% lava rock.
You could also place sand (or vermiculite) in the middle using an empty toilet paper roll.

PS: I do not know what is the best mix for the rest of your species though

See the picture below :

Well, that is really to simplfy thing a little too much. Best soil is depending on care, climate and development phase. There are absolutelly no reason to grow from seed in inorganic mix.