It is due to YOUR support that I can now afford this mix of inorganic ingredients. Thank you :)

@gayefanner731

3 ай бұрын

Just spotted this msg of yours, Xav, thank YOU, dear man, its lovely to be appreciated ☺️

Soil mixes are like opinions - we all got one 😂

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

And we all KNOW that our opinion is right :)

That's a nice open mix. I've never been game to go too far away from organic material because of our hot summer weather. Your cooler climate wouldn't dry it out as fast as it does here!

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

That is a very valid point and i have definitely struggled with root rot in early years because of our wet conditions...youtube support has allowed me to go more and more inorganic. So thanks :)

I’d have to sell the car to get that mix.

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

I fully appreciate that. It is why I am so thankful for all your support. It is only because of youtube revenue that I could consider this as realistic. Don't be surprised if 20% starts to become organic when the belt needs to be tightened again :)

Have you ever added Super Sulphate to your soil mix Xav? It seems to be a popular addition to soil mixes in the United States, especially for building strong root systems.

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Never heard of that Mike but I am still pretty inexperienced with managing mineral levels within mixes. I barely remember to fertilse through the year :)

I've used cat litter from Tesco for years basically akadama only one we can use here for it but never let me down

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

Ай бұрын

I agree. I have only stopped with the Kitty Friend because it has become so difficult to find. Truthfully, it is only down to youtube that I was able to afford this 'posh' bonsai soil mix :)

Great mix! I need to try vermiculite in my mix next time I make a batch.

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

It is strange how little it is used - I find it much more effective than perlite...and it doesnt float around either :)

A short and sweet video with great soil ingredients! Nice one Xavier!

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

It answers a few of the questions i was getting. Cheers Adam

Retirement just a little bit closer? Don't stop your videos though. Maybe a "Run ashore" with the crew.😊

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

That sounds like a plan to me :)

Great to see Xavier 👍

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

It's always good to see me Alex - do you want a photograph :)

Cool xav 👊

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Cheers Andy

Good stuff!

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Cheers Kennet

Not found my favorite mix up to now - maybe that’s it 😄😘 Thanks Xavier and enjoy your day ❤️ Cheers 🙋‍♀️ Martina

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Thnaks martina - still loads of repots to get done :)

Thx for Show us your mix ! 👍👍

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Cheers Tom - little bit of help from the channel made this possible for me as it does cost more :)

Nice mix Xav👌🏻 Thanks for sharing your secret recipe mate👊🏻

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Who knows Dan - next year if budgets gets tighter it will be back to 'dirt and rocks' :)

I do love my molar glay

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

I'm down to my last few bags of kitty litter (molar clay) and it has become very hard to find at the moment...

I need to up my soil game. The brick chips, bulk soil, perlite mixture I did this last season made a huge difference. I need soil that doesn't dry out as fast indoors. Then balance that with cost. Also, I'm pretty limited by what is available here. I'm moving towards better mixture though!

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

My soil journey has taken over 20 years - it is still limited by finances though :)

I dont have a standard mix per say but it's mostly Akadama and Pumice with some Kiryu added for pines/junipers or Kaizen No1 for deciduous. Also... Granular soil doesn't half make repotting easier!

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

I think that has been the biggest difference for me. Repots have been so easy. I used Kaizen last year and this mix is sort of based on it. The zeolite is a cheaper option to Akadama I think.

👍👌🙂

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Thanks bruce

I'm the opposite - I have about 50-60% organic (multi-purpose/bark/John Innes). I just don't want to water that often (lazy) but there is a risk it's a bit 'soggy' in very wet weather (like this Spring). So far, I've not lost a tree even with no Winter protection. When I belonged to a Bonsai Society, many said the best media was pure Akadama - but then in hot weather, they were watering 3 time A DAY !

@bonsaikastur

3 ай бұрын

Same situation here. We suffer in very wet weather, they suffer in hot weather. Who suffer most? I think they do, but we that don't use akadama are the heretics.

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

You are spot on with that Roger. watering requirements go up with this mix but it does help with root growth. No right or wrong as I said in the description :)

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

I haven't used Akadama for a few years now - it costs too much.

Great info- these pre- bagged bonsai soils are way too expensive . I’m making my own soil blend, too!

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

So true Donna - ultimately finance has always dictated how much cheaper garden centre compost I end up adding to the mix.

Hi xav that’s a lot of different elements , if it works for you that’s all that matters, I have given up making my own soil mix now, I just don’t have the energy now. I was getting my soil from Harry Harrington but he has decided not to sell soil now, my go to now is Kaizen, I find it really good soil mix with added bio char.

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

I am pretty certain this mix is very close to what Kaizen do. The biochar is included in mine but I dont have any lava.

I cant recommend a soil mix - I am experimenting myself :-) I have to deal with: hot, dry summer and wet, cold autumn/winter and wind in general. Organic soil is fine in summer, but awful when the trees go dormant. I switched to: 2 parts akadama, 2 parts pumice, 1 part seramis (red baked clay granulate??) 2 parts pine bark, 1-2 parts zeolite. + 1-2 parts kiryu if its a coniferous tree. I also put a bit plant soil with mykorriza in it. Sometimes more (if the tree likes it more moist) somtimes less (if it likes it more dry). edit: full kanuma for azaleas, plus pine bark/lava for other rhododendron.

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Sounds pretty good to me. My biggest limiting factor has been finances. thankfully, youtube has allowed em to set aside something for soil now :)

I think my comment was probably longer than the video!🤣

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Now what should I say to that Susan :)

Nice mix xavier but we're do you get your pumice and zeolite from ....plzzzz tell ..

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

It came from Europe - IBUKI-shop.com

Hi Xavier, be careful with vermiculite. It is not so good for your Health!

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Really? What is the issue - does it relate to micro-particles entering lungs or something?

@guybrusselaers3917

3 ай бұрын

I think you better wear a mask when working with vermiculite

@guybrusselaers3917

3 ай бұрын

Yes

How long do I put it in the oven to rise?

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

Ho Ho Ho

Short n sweet ! Phew ! Thanx ! God bless you 🙏✝️. ✌️🇷🇺☮️🇺🇦✌️. 🙋‍♀️🤍🇮🇱

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

This is my 'one off' in this little area of discussion. It is always down to climates and budgets in the end. God Bless

For an artistic pursuit that is supposed to result in zen-like calm, this artful hobby certainly gives rise to contention, argument, disagreement, some hostility and even disparagement. Which soil mix to use is one of the bigger sources of contention. I have tried lots of the suggested mixes but BECAUSE of the climate of Boise, Idaho, and my lifestyle not to mention how my dedication to this hobby plays out, I don't use a soil mix like yours. I have gone back to the one that has been "tried and true" for ME. Equal parts volcanic grit (sourced free 10 miles away), pumice (sourced from a mine 3 hours away), Turface (sourced from local tool and equipment store), perlite (from big box store), granite (sourced free from roadcut 3 hours away), sifted finer pine bark, worm castings (I keep a worm bin), and an organic potting mix (loaded with things like kelp meal, bat guano, etc.) Even with this higher organic ratio, I water twice a day in Boise's brutal, dry and oven-temperatures in July and August. VIVA la difference for all of us. Use what works. Keep experimenting until you find what suits your micro-climate. Be adaptable and ready to abandon what does not work. For me, that is akadama. Don't necessarily do what someone tells you to do. Thanks!

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

I couldn't agree more Susan. We disscussed your mix a little while ago and I am so jealous of the ingredients you can obtain for very little cost. That ultimately plays a massive part in soil decisions :)

Thanks Xavier! I’ve been interested in using zeolite for a while but with so many of my trees in long term trunk development I’ve always opted for lava and perlite with 50% organic in the mix. I’ll keep this in mind when a few of them get closer to refining next season

@XaviersBonsaiRetreat

3 ай бұрын

No worries - there are so many options that work