Hello all,

There seems to be a consensus when people talk about soil and ph; "lightly acidic" for most bonsai, "acidic" for azaleas.
So my question is, how much is lightly acidic? 6.5? 5.0? 3.0?
Yes, I've got this ph soil probe, but no clue about the numbers I am aiming for...

5

Wow. That's being precise!
Thank you, Spacewood.

Thanks, but its a no bariner actually. 6-7 is just the middle. Up 7 is alkaline and below 6 is acid.

Yeah, that's right. This much I knew.
The question was how acidic should the soil be for bonsai. And you answered!

Clicio wrote: Yeah, that's right. This much I knew.
The question was how acidic should the soil be for bonsai. And you answered!

Just use the recommended substrate and you'll be fine.

Clicio wrote: Yeah, that's right. This much I knew.
The question was how acidic should the soil be for bonsai. And you answered!

Just to clarify, you asked how much is slightly acidic, and I answered. I think general purpose soil is around the middle of the scale. Auk said it just right.

Auk, in my experience, the recommended substrate varies wildly, depending on the seller and on the type of tree, I guess.
Some people say "Akadama"! Others show a wide range of mixes, almost all agree on inorganic, all vow to good drainage.
You see, I have been buying "bonsai soil" from various sources to test, and they are never the same.
Thanks for your answers, I won't fret about PH so much anymore!

Clicio wrote: Some people say "Akadama"!

For azaleas right? I use pure Kanuma.

Kanuma is basically Akadama with lower PH am I right?