Acidic soil - Bonsai soil having a ph rating less than 7.0.
Aerial roots - Roots that form and remain above the soil.
Air layering - A technique of propagation that is used to encourage roots to form on a branch or trunk of a tree.
- Use a slightly acidic soil for your Willow Bonsai. Willows enjoy good drainage, so we suggest a soil mix that contains grit. Try using red akadama soil with grit and peat moss.
Different trees have different soil requirements an Azalea will require a more acidic soil than a Juniper would. All soil is basically made up of two components organic and inorganic.
Naturally alkaline and helps to neutralise the acidity of peat-based or acidic soils.
Cottonsead Meal: Is slightly acidic and is good for use with Azaleas, Camellias and Rhododendrons.
Birches often form even-aged stands on light, well-drained, particularly acidic soils. They are regarded as pioneer species, rapidly colonising open ground especially in secondary successional sequences following a disturbance or fire.
Bonsai Glossary: ericaceous - Describes acidic soil conditions or plant that requires this.
Bonsai Glossary: evergreen - Tree or shrub that retains its leaves throughout the year.
They prefer and acidic soil so use rain water when ever possible. Use organic pH conditioners like seedweed to correct pH balances, inorganics may juts increase salt imbalances and burn the fine azalea roots.
Feeding: Every two weeks during the growing season. Tilia prefer a very slightly acidic soil and on a long-term basis will begin to suffer from the effects of lime in hard water unless given an occasional dose of ericaceous fertiliser.
Azalea (Rhododendron spp.) - flowering gift plant, easy to prune, needs bright, filtered sunlight, adequate moisture, acidic soil. Good beginner bonsai.
Contrary to popular opinion, Magnolia stellata does not require acidic soil; rather it dislikes lime/alkaline soil. Neutral to acid soil is sufficient. A twice yearly acid-based feed will neutralise any lime or alkaline in the soil.
 See also: Plant, Tree, Trunk, Bonsai, Bark
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