Choosing the right soil is an important factor to ensure that bonsai grow strong and healthy. Each type of bonsai has different living environment requirements, in which the soil plays an important role, providing necessary nutrients, helping the tree retain moisture and develop the root system.
There are many different types of potting soil on the market, and not all types of soil are suitable for all types of plants. In this article, we will learn how to distinguish the types of potting soil for indoor plants and ornamental plants today, so you can choose the type. suitable land with the needs of your bonsai.
Clay characteristics
Characteristics of clay:
• Grain structure: Clay has very fine, small grains that stick together. This helps retain water well but also makes it difficult for water to drain.
• Moisture: Due to its high water-holding properties, clay soils tend to become waterlogged if over-watered. Clay soils also tend to compact, reducing the aeration of plant roots.
• Nutrition: Clay contains many minerals and trace elements necessary for ornamental plants. However, when the soil is compacted, plants have difficulty absorbing nutrients.
Suitable for what type of plants: Clay is suitable for ornamental plants that can tolerate moisture well or plants that need a rich soil environment such as roses, some woody plants or plants with strong root systems.
How to improve clay soil: To increase the aeration of clay soil, you can mix in sand, perlite or organic humus to make the soil more porous.
Characteristics of alluvial soil
Characteristics of loam:
- Grain Structure: Loam is a combination of clay, sand, and loam. It has a relatively small grain structure, but is not as tightly packed as clay. This allows loam to retain moisture well while still draining well.
- Nutrition: Loam soil has good nutritional content, rich in minerals, especially alluvial soil from riverside areas, helping plants grow quickly and healthily.
- Drainage: Loam soil has relatively good drainage, does not cause waterlogging but still retains enough moisture for plants.
Suitable for any type of plant: Loam soil is suitable for most ornamental plants, especially plants that prefer moderately moist soil such as flowers (chrysanthemums, gerberas) and some small fruit trees.
How to improve loam soil: Although loam soil already has good properties, adding organic materials such as vermicompost and peat will help improve its porosity and increase its moisture retention capacity.
Characteristics of sandy soil
Characteristics of sandy soil:
• Grain structure: Sandy soil has large, loose grains and is not highly cohesive. Therefore, sandy soil has very good drainage capacity but cannot retain water and nutrients.
• Humidity: Sandy soil dries quickly and cannot retain moisture for long, so watering plants on sandy soil needs to be done more often.
• Nutrition: Sandy soil is often poor in nutrients and needs to be supplemented with fertilizer and organic matter to support plant growth.
Suitable for which plants: Sandy soil is very suitable for drought-tolerant plants that can grow in dry environments such as cacti, succulents, and some small shrubs.
How to improve sandy soil: You can mix sandy soil with compost, clay or loam to provide more moisture and nutrients for plants. In addition, using moisture-retaining materials such as peat moss or coconut fiber also helps sandy soil retain water better.
Characteristics of humus soil
Characteristics of humus soil:
• Particle structure: Humus has a light, porous texture, containing a lot of organic matter from decomposed leaves, plant and animal remains. This makes humus able to retain moisture well and provide rich nutrients for plants.
• Moisture: Humus can retain water for a long time, not flooding the roots of plants while still providing enough moisture. However, if the soil is too moist, it can cause root rot for some plants that cannot tolerate wet soil.
• Nutrition: Humus soil is rich in natural nutrients, providing all the necessary substances for ornamental plants to grow without the need for a lot of fertilizer.
Suitable for any type of plant: Humus soil is suitable for ornamental plants that need a lot of nutrients and prefer soft, airy soil environments, such as bonsai trees, broadleaf trees or some flowering plants like orchids.
How to improve humus soil: To maintain the fertility and looseness of humus soil, organic fertilizer should be added regularly or natural fertilizers such as vermicompost should be used.
Characteristics of soil for growing aquatic plants
For aquatic plants such as lotus, water lilies or other ornamental plants grown in water, special soils are needed that are designed to retain nutrients in a submerged environment. Aquatic soils are usually structured so that they do not decompose quickly in water and provide nutrients slowly to the plants.
Characteristics of aquatic soil:
- Particle structure: Small particles, do not disintegrate in water.
- Nutrition: Aquatic soil contains many minerals and nutrients that help plants thrive in aquatic environments.
- Water retention capacity: Retains water for a long time, creating conditions for plants to grow stably in flooded environments.
Suitable for any type of plant: This type of soil is only suitable for aquatic plants, semi-aquatic plants or ornamental plants that live in humid environments such as taro plants and aquatic snake plants.
Characteristics of alluvial soil (sandy clay)
Characteristics of sandy alluvial soil:
- Grain structure: This is a combination of clay and sand, with moderate adhesion but not too tight, helping to retain water and drain evenly.
- Moisture: This soil retains water well without flooding the roots, making it ideal for plants that require consistent moisture.
- Nutrition: Alluvial soil contains many minerals, so plants can easily absorb necessary nutrients.
Suitable for what type of plants: Alluvial soil is very suitable for moderately water-loving plants such as anthurium, hydrangea, or some ornamental flowers such as orchids.
How to improve alluvial soil: To improve, you can add peat or coconut fiber to retain moisture better, while avoiding compaction which reduces soil aeration.
Characteristics of red basalt soil
Characteristics of red basalt soil:
- Grain structure: Red basalt soil has small and quite porous grains, often has a characteristic red color due to containing a lot of iron oxide.
- Moisture: The soil retains moisture well and drains well, helping the plant avoid waterlogging while still maintaining enough moisture for the roots.
- Nutrition: Red basalt soil is rich in minerals such as iron, manganese and aluminum, suitable for many types of industrial and ornamental plants.
Suitable for what type of plants: Red basalt soil is suitable for fruit trees (coffee, pepper) and ornamental plants that prefer nutrient-rich soil such as roses and bonsai.
How to improve red basalt soil: To increase fertility, organic fertilizer or decomposed manure should be added to help the soil have more nutrients.
Characteristics of soil for growing cacti and succulents (dry, airy soil)
Characteristics of soil for cacti and succulents:
- Particle structure: Cactus and succulent soil needs a coarse, airy texture, with ingredients like gravel or perlite.
- Moisture: This type of soil dries quickly and does not retain water, making it ideal for drought-tolerant plants.
- Nutrition: The soil does not need to be too rich in nutrients, just add a small amount of fertilizer so that the plant has enough nutrients to grow.
Suitable for what type of plants: As the name suggests, this soil is best suited for drought-tolerant plants such as cacti, succulents, and some succulents.
How to improve soil for cacti and succulents: Add gravel, lava rock or activated charcoal to help the soil drain faster and increase aeration.
Understanding the different types of soil for bonsai and how to differentiate them will help you choose the most suitable soil for your bonsai. From clay, loam, sand to loam and hydroponic soil, each type of soil has its own advantages and disadvantages. The most important thing is to understand the specific needs of each bonsai to ensure that the plant always grows well, healthy and lush in the ideal environment.
