chinese elm soil favorite mixes

[badabing888]

Hi All,

Likely a question with lots of answers

Anyone got a favorite mix?

About to transition 1 from a grow bag to a training pot

[shibui]

I use the same potting mix for all species here. Saves having to keep different mixes on hand and which one goes with which tree.

What sort of elm are you talking of?

[Abarnes93]

I have been using soil mixed I get at local bonsai nursery’s and been happy.
I have also just got scoria, akadama and pumice that I have mixed and will try on some of my trees as well. I have heard they need a lot of water in summer though so will be a lot more work.

Shibuis mix is very good the trees I have got from him always drain very well

[Daluke]

What’s your goal with the repot?

Do you want big coarse growth? Do you want fine twiggy growth?

Are you trying to improve drainage?

How often are you watering?

How often will be repotting?

What size is the tree?

The answers to your questions could help with responses.

[Kedron Brook]

That's interesting Daluke. I want to hear more please.
I used a premium potting mix, add about 30% perlite. From reading, now I'll buy either River sand or Scoria to use with the above mix. Maybe 3:2:1. I'm in Brisbane.

Mostly I am growing on from a decent trunk towards main branching.
The water will drain visibly fast from most pots. There's two which hold water on the surface for at least ten seconds.
I water everyday during summer, often twice. I can water early morning and mid afternoon. Less now through winter.
Repot every two years is my expectation.
Most trees are 30cm high. Mixed species; many Junipers, many Melaleucas, and a couple of azaleas. Almost no pines. Two Chinese Elms.

I hope no one minds me jumping into the conversation.

[Daluke]

Coarse particles encourage coarse large growth.

Depending on your climate and ability to water you want to make sure you are using a mix that doesn’t dry out too much or stay too wet either.

It’s good for trees that you want to build big trunks.

Smaller particles promote twiggy growth.

[badabing888]

I'm at the transition to maintain fine growth vs grow it on etc

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Basically its a deep grow bag with standard organic bonsai mix that i want to transition from grow bag to intermediate pot then perhaps 2 years further into it's final bonsai pot.

are people using the 1:1:1 for chinese elm that i use with all my pines or do they include greater / organic material

[SuperBonSaiyan]

I keep all my mixes pretty much the same with minor additives to change drainage.

1:1:1 pine nuggets:pumice:scoria all sifted to remove fines.

I'll add coarse sand (3mm+) if the tree could do with being dryer (white pines).

Development is different, depending on goals and need.