🌿 My Bonsai Adventure — Chapter 3: The Search for the Perfect Soil & Pot

The more I learned,
the more I understood that bonsai is not only about the tree —
it is about creating the perfect home for it.

And every great home begins beneath the surface…
with soil and the pot that holds it.

I decided that if I wanted to do this sincerely,
I would gather the right materials —
the ones used by real bonsai growers.

That meant only one thing:

Akadama. Pumice. Lava rock. Pine bark.
And a pot with proper drainage.

🌱 Akadama — The Heart of the Soil

Akadama was the first ingredient I searched for.

A Japanese clay that breaks down slowly,
holding just enough moisture
but never suffocating the roots.

When I touched it,
I understood why bonsai artists trusted it.
It felt alive, delicate, and perfect for tiny roots.

🪨 Pumice — The Breath of the Soil

Next came pumice.

Light, airy volcanic stone
that lets the roots breathe freely.

It prevents the soil from becoming compact
and keeps water moving gently through the pot.

I could almost imagine the roots feeling lighter
just because pumice was there.

🌋 Lava Rock — Strength and Stability

Then I added lava rock.

Dark, rugged, shaped by fire.

It gives weight to the soil,
keeps the pot stable,
and stops the mix from breaking down too quickly.

It felt like adding the element of fire
to the tiny world I was creating.

🌲 Pine Bark / Organics — A Gentle Touch of Life

Finally, the soft part of the mix — pine bark.

It adds just enough organic matter
to nourish the tree over time
without becoming heavy or muddy.

Its smell reminded me of forests,
of earth after rain.

This was the ingredient that completed the harmony.

🏺 The Pot — More Important Than I Realized

Finding the pot felt like choosing a home for my bonsai.

I learned something important:

✔ A bonsai pot must have large drainage holes

Not one — but usually two, sometimes more.

Water should leave quickly,
because bonsai roots hate being drowned.

✔ And those holes need a mesh grid

A small piece of plastic or wire mesh
placed over each drainage hole.

Why?

• It keeps the soil from washing out
• It prevents insects from crawling in
• It ensures water drains smoothly
• It protects the roots during watering

When I placed the mesh over the hole,
it felt like adding a small shield
that would protect my tiny tree’s world.

✔ Some pots also have wire holes

I learned that these are used
to anchor the bonsai to the pot
so it doesn’t shake or move while growing.

Tiny wires, quietly holding the tree steady.
Such a small detail —
yet such an important one.

🌟 Everything Coming Together

Akadama.
Pumice.
Lava rock.
Pine bark.
A pot with perfect drainage
and a mesh grid protecting the soil.

All these pieces, each with its own purpose,
slowly formed the foundation of my bonsai journey.

Holding the soil mix in one hand
and the pot in the other,
I felt something shift inside me.

This wasn’t just preparation anymore —
this was the moment where dreams began to take shape.
Right in the palm of my hands.

The next step would be even more exciting…