AusBonsai

Hi there, I'm considering repotting my 6 year old Juniper, I live in Brisbane, Australia. However I've decided that I would actually mix my own soil! Now, I'm actually new to bonsai, this being my first and only plant as of yet (I'm buying another bonsai in March sometime.) I have never repotted, but I'm confident that I will be able to mix my own soils... Here's where I need YOUR help! I was wondering if somebody, anything infact, could suggest a suitable mix (soil and etc names, ratio's too please) it would help me greatly!

>Kree

Hi Kree, A very simple soil for Junipers that is difficult to overwater is:
50% 2-7mm diatomite
50% Bonsai mix off the shelf at Bunnings such as Debco

Combine ingredients and sift to remove the fine material from the mix. After repotting place the tree in a shaded position that has some protection from the wind. Allow the soil to just begin to appear dry, then re-water, mist the foliage at least once a day for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, gradually introduce the tree to a sunnier position and increase watering as needed, with the specified mix, you should be able to water often without the need to worry about drainage. Good luck and remember to show us some pictures.

Cheers
Mojo Moyogi

Juniper soil keep it simple!
I have been junipers for a while and this is what works for me, 50/50 potting mix and river sand, That's it. If you want to spoil them then you can mix some bonsai potting mix in to spin it out but i rarely if ever do it. Best advice i can give you is this don't prune the tree once it in the pot, do it before and allow it to stabalise. Keep it in the shade for 2 weeks and keep the soil damp but not soaked. After 2-3 weeks allow the soil to dry out a bit in between waterings, so that the surface soil is dry and the soil is only slightly damp under the surface. Use a slow release fertiliser but start using it after 2-3 weeks from re-potting, good luck.

mojo has given you my mix for junipers, it is good as it is free draining and can dry out a bit which junipers need.

Jamie wrote:mojo has given you my mix for junipers, it is good as it is free draining and can dry out a bit which junipers need.

Spot on Jim!

Cheers
MM

May I add. If you are not proficient at re-potting yet, early spring would be the optimum time to avoid disappointment.

thats a good point Don, early spring would be the best tim to repot, the only reason it would other wise be done is if it is in dire needs of a repot for health reasons ie. pest/disease.

mojo moyogi is on it thats my exact mix but i allso sift the debco mix as it can have some very fine particles that can sometimes clog up the mix
as for timing if its a tree that you love wait till autumn or even better wait till spring if your not pruning the roots much but just putting it in a new pot with new soil with the current weather you should be right just take care as juni roots are quite fine and brittle after potting sit pot in a bucket of week sesol or super thrive or better still auxinone
may be a picture show the health and pot its in

Thanks guys! I wrote that down in my notebook you requested pictures so here is one!

http://img42.imageshack.us/i/rimg0046g.jpg/

sorry about the quality, the photographer is just as dodgy as the camera I should really look into getting a better camera my juniper is 6 years old.

oh, did anybody have any suggestions for fertiliser? Slow release, obviously

Looking at that tree! and that pot unless you have glued on top soil!! it does not need repotting. Any slow release fert.

Cheers Pup

Nope, don't have anything glued on. I know better than that! and yes I know it doesn't need repotting just yet, but still. I don't exactly like the pot it came in. (only half of it belongs to my tree! the other half is the fisherman's ) So any slow release fert will do?

Hi everyone,
Just a quick question regarding the potting soil for junipers. I have many junipers and have always just used a standard bonsai mix from Terry Hills.
Whats the 50% 2-7mm diatomite I am unfamiliar with what this is maybe I am just stupid. Where can you get this?

Regards
Archie

archie1979 wrote:Hi everyone,
Just a quick question regarding the potting soil for junipers. I have many junipers and have always just used a standard bonsai mix from Terry Hills.
Whats the 50% 2-7mm diatomite I am unfamiliar with what this is maybe I am just stupid. Where can you get this?

Regards
Archie

Have you ever noticed how muddy that mix is from there? Or how much clay it has in it? You need to wash it HEAPS to get a decent soil. And even then watch it doesn't compact.

Diatomite is a product that can be bought from Enfield Produce that I and several other members are having great results with. Its the most similar thing to akadama that aussies have here (except akadama itself, thanks to Steven). Ken has done some experiments that suggest that diatomite could even be better than akadama in our climate. Do a search on here and you will find some great information about this wonderful rock.

Joel