There is a big difference between dirt and bonsai soil. What makes good bonsai soil is definitely what dirt cannot do, and that is to provide a well aerated pot where roots can breath and grow healthy. Roots also require proper water retention without a pooling effect in the pot. Therefore, tight dirt suffocates roots and holds water sometimes clogging drainage holes and rotting your roots. This is exactly why pine bark helps prevent, especially when mixed with vermiculite.
Pine bark comes in all our bonsai soil. Our Multipurpose Bonsai Soil has it, as well as our Tropical & Subtropical Bonsai Soil and Conifer Bonsai Soil. Pine bark is a great ingredient to a media for potted trees because of the granular flake and nugget shape, rather a sandy dirt. Water passes through easily, yet retains it well, including fertilizer that may be administered. In addition to water flowing well through the pine bark, so does air. Oxygen flow throughout the roots is extremely beneficial for bonsai, and pine bark (together with vermiculite) ensures a proper flows and retention of both water and air throughout the pot and roots in order to keep a healthy tree alive a growing well.
Therefore, please consider using our bonsai media for your soil needs. Don't leave inexperience or pest infested dirt with your trees. After all, you spend so much time, and face it, money to get them to be the vision you imagined them to be. Why not spend a couple bucks to ensure your tree is happy and growing in the right conditions specific to your bonsai's requirements? Try out our bonsai soil, it's inexpensive, but made with quality and proven ingredients to maximize your little tree's health.
