The pH is an indication of whether or not the soil is Acid, Neutral or Alkaline.The soil reaction and condition is measured in pH units. When growing bonsai, you will need to be aware of this.
What soil mix is acid and what is neutral?
Both are important for the health of the bonsai. The pH also tells you what food is correct for the bonsai. Azaleas are acid loving (Check our post about Azalea bonsai), while maples are not. Some conifers prefer a slightly acid soil, while others like a slightly alkaline soil. Some trees that grow near the sea have an alkaline soil, while some grow on a peat soil, which is very acid.
The scale for the pH goes from 0 to 14, with a neutral point being pH 7. The soil increases its acidity from pH 7 to 0, and increases its alkalinity from pH 7 to 14.
In other words:
- A value of 7 is Neutral
- A value below 7.0 is acid
- slightly acid: 6.1-6.5
- moderately acid: 5.6-6.0
- very acid: 4.5-5.0
- A value above 7.0 is alkaline
- slightly alkaline: 7.4-7.8
- moderately alkaline: 7.9-8.4 (sea water is 8,2)
- strongly alkaline: 8.5-9.0
- very strongly alkaline: above 9.1
Making the right soil mix will depend on the tree's requirements and your local best practice.
A pH lower than 5.5 will mean that many nutrients become very soluble and are readily leached from the soil structure. At higher pH levels, the nutrients become insoluble and plants cannot easily extract them. The best take-up is a pH value of around 6.0 to 7.2
Akadama: It has a nominal pH of 6.8. Always sift the fines out and do not use them anywhere near your bonsai, especially as a top dressing, as they will wash in and compact the soil
Kanuma: It has a pH of 4.5 to 5. It is used for acid-loving plants, such as azaleas, satsukis, ericas and stewartias.
Kiryu: The pH of Kiryu is around 6.8. You should use acid-based fertilizers on acid-loving plants to compensate its alakalinity.
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