Not so much a 'vs' type question, rather a 'I'm a bit confused' type question.

I have been reading up on the subject of soil and it appears that moving to inorganic is considered best practice. I understand the pro's for this, particularly in that there is a greater element of drainage and fewer risks of pests/diseases due to there being no (traditional sense) soil.

If I were to switch to inorganic, then there are fewer minerals and nutrients within the substrate, and I would need to provide these for the bonsai.

But I do this anyway at the moment, as the tree sits in the original soil mixture it came in two years ago. My understanding is that even in compost-type soil, the good stuff is soon depleted or washed away, hence the need to feed and fertilize it.

Is it correct then that organic soil is of no greater benefit? My confusion comes in when I see people talk of mixing inorganic soil with some organic soil, albeit in a smaller quanitity: is it not one or the other?

I am planning to repot my ficus this year and just wanted a bit of clarification on this.

P.s: sorry if the question is a bit garbled, but I did say I was confused!

In theory, yes, inorganic is better. The reason that some organic is mixed in is because it has some natural nutrients and it retains moisture for a long time.
I, for example, use what I like to call "The LB Mix" of 10% pine bark and 90% cat litter. It got its name because I first saw it on leatherback's website. (check it out if you're just starting, it's great www.growingbonsai.net/ )

Ed

You cannot simply say that inorganic is better. It is the complete scheme of soil, watering and fertilizing that you need to take into account. Using a fully inorganic soil without taking the other requirements into account will actually make things worse, not better.

Not sure about what type of ficus we're talking?

Auk wrote:

You cannot simply say that inorganic is better.

BonsaiLearner wrote:

In theory, yes, inorganic is better.

BonsaiLearner wrote:

Auk wrote:

You cannot simply say that inorganic is better.

BonsaiLearner wrote:

In theory, yes, inorganic is better.

I did not overlook that. You cannot simply say that 'in theory inorganic is better' without telling the complete story.

Thanks for the replies and link.

It's a microcarpia. I think I need to do a bit more research on this soil topic as it isn't as straight forward as I first thought.

Franky wrote:

Thanks for the replies and link.

It's a microcarpia. I think I need to do a bit more research on this soil topic as it isn't as straight forward as I first thought.

If it is a Ficus Microcarpa Ginseng - the one with the horrific bulbous roots - that you keep indoors: just use regular potting soil.

Auk wrote:

Franky wrote:

Thanks for the replies and link.

It's a microcarpia. I think I need to do a bit more research on this soil topic as it isn't as straight forward as I first thought.

If it is a Ficus Microcarpa Ginseng - the one with the horrific bulbous roots - that you keep indoors: just use regular potting soil.

No, not one of those. I think this is a Chinese Banyan from what my research reveals. I'll post a pic at some point.

If you look around on the web, you will see a bunch of people that use organic materials, and their plants do just fine. Look around and learn some, there's as many reasons why people do what they do as there are people.

If it needs repotted, right now, potting soil will work.

Maybe you aught to send a picture.

Franky wrote:

Not so much a 'vs' type question, rather a 'I'm a bit confused' type question.

I have been reading up on the subject of soil and it appears that moving to inorganic is considered best practice. I understand the pro's for this, particularly in that there is a greater element of drainage and fewer risks of pests/diseases due to there being no (traditional sense) soil.

If I were to switch to inorganic, then there are fewer minerals and nutrients within the substrate, and I would need to provide these for the bonsai.

I believe that these three links would clarify things a bit for you:

www.bonsaiempire.com/blog/bonsai-soil-requirements
www.bonsaiempire.com/blog/akadama-soil
bonsai4me.com/Basics/Basics_Soils.html

These links have proved to be very helpful... At least to me

Alain