Indoor Bonsai Tree Care

Double Red Line brand of akadama is the most well known brand. It is not as soft as some and is not fired like the hard types. Many people use it straight for deciduous and conifers. It can be mixed with, pumice, kanuma or other favorites.
Akadama is mined in Japan from ancient volcanic “soils”, then spread to dry, and sifted to separate the grain size. The characteristic of this “soil” includes it’s porosity, stability, it’s ability to store water and nutrients and release these to plant roots. It promotes fine hair root growth. We’ve seen incredible differences in root growth on plants grown in akadama/pumice/lava compared to traditional peat moss/bark soils.
Akadama darkens when wet, which provides a visible indicator of when to water your bonsai. This makes it ideal for beginners, who find it hard to maintain the correct moisture level.
Akadama offers all of the requirements for successful bonsai tree growth, and is prized by the bonsai community.

Those who practice the fine art of bonsai have known for years the very special qualities that professional bonsai soil imparts to soil mixes. Its unique properties help provide free passage of air and water to root systems while significantly reducing soil compaction. This unique bonsai soil is produced by expanding and vitrifying selected shale in a rotary kiln at temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees F. This process makes the soil sterile and environmentally inert. It is a natural non-toxic, highly absorbtive ceramic granule with a generally neutral PH. It is dimensionally stable and will not degrade like other amending products. There is no need for it to be re-applied year after year. A good bonsai soil profile is approximately 25% water, 25% air and 50% solid particulate matter. However, when soils are compacted, an imbalance occurs. Solid particles are pressed together, and water and air are squeezed out. With less pore space, soils become too dense for the movement of air, water and nutrients, and the favorable environment for the beneficial microbial activity necessary in a healthy growing medium, is lost. Our professional bonsai soil absorbs excess water during rain or watering, then slowly releases this excess water as the soil dries acting in effect like a time release capsule. Use as a blend with your soil mix or by itself.

Hoffman Bonsai Soil Mix
Professionally formulated to provide optimum growth for evergreen and other bonsai plants. Provides the plant support, moisture and drainage bonsai need. Pre-mixed, ready to use. Excellent for repotting. 2 Quart Bag.

Our sieve set consists of a 12″ diameter by 3″ high stainless steel frame with three interchangeable screens of 4, 5, and 10 meshes per inch. Use to grade soils for layering and to remove fine compacting dust that inhibits proper drainage.