Grow your own bonsai: Basic Soil Mix

Purpose:
The purpose of sharing this information is to provide what has worked for me over the years. Your results may vary.

Audience:
Intended audience would have fundamental working knowledge of bonsai, including basic care. Do not attempt to followi this recipe if you are unsure of what you are doing. And finally, if this don't work for you, you agree that it's YOUR FAULT and not mine, as I don't know what you are doing.

Pre-mixed bonsai soil can be expensive and hard to locate, even when you know where to look for it. And honestly, sometimes the pre-mix just doesn't work for your location. In order to create a free draining bonsai soil mix that satisfies my particular needs, I've been mixing my own bonsai soil for a number of years.

I will not recommend this particular soil mix for any particular species of tree, nor locale. Knowledge of species and locale will help to create an optimum growing medium for your particular needs.

The following is the basic recipe for making my own bonsai soil:

RECIPE for Bonsai soil:
Mix equal parts:
cheap potting soil
cheap kitty litter (non clumping type, with no perfumes)
chicken scratch or sharp sand

Note on soil: Use potting soil with NO added fertilizers.

Note on Kitty Litter: Use the really cheap kitty litter, NOT THE CLUMPING TYPE! I personally use 'Special Kitty' from Walmart, which is practically the same stuff as the expensive fired clay particles. I've noticed that some cheap kitty litter is now made from diatomic soil or corn cobs. Make sure the litter states 'CLAY PARTICLES'

Note on Sand: Use chicken scratch, if possible, as it has added vitamins minerals and calcium.

Sometimes I will also include volcanic rock, or scoria, in the soil mix, if I have some. That sometimes depends on whether I use chicken scratch. Bonus: scoria makes an excellent top dressing.