Bonsaify | How to Use Organic Fertilizers with Bonsai Trees

One of the most common questions Eric receives is, "what kind of fertilizer do you use?" In this video, Eric introduces three different types of organic fertilizer and shares the Japanese practice of "Soji".

00:00:35 Eric clarifies the meaning of "organic" in the context of fertilizer.

00:01:55 What happens when you use organic fertilizer. When added to the surface of your bonsai pot it incorporates itself into the soil as it breaks down.

00:03:00 Using both mineral-based and organic fertilizers feed off each other (more to come on mineral-based fertilizers in a future video!)

00:03:22 Eric demonstrates "Soji", top scraping of the soil. This Japanese practice is usually performed in the fall, but really it can be done anytime its needed. Soji allows more air penetration and even water distribution.

00:05:36 Eric adds sifted bonsai soil to replace the soil he removed.

00:06:16 Organic Fertilizer #1 - E.B. Stone Organics All Purpose Plant Food, which is powder form.

00:06:40 Defining the 3 numbers used to identify the composition by weight, and explaining typical ingredients in organic fertilizer.

00:07:52 Close-up of powder form and how to simply apply to soil.

00:08:39 E.B. Stone is very inexpensive - a 4lb box costs approx. $10 USD. E.B. Stone (4lb box): https://amzn.to/3KN8YLT

00:09:19 Organic Fertilizer #2 - imported Japanese fertilizer, fermented prior to being turned into fertilizer. OBF has smaller pellets and costs about $12 USD for 10oz. OBF (10oz bag): https://amzn.to/3IeEdh6

00:10:27 Biogold is a rounded triangular pellet, popular and expensive - about $15 USD for 10oz. Biogold (10oz bag): https://amzn.to/3IeEdh6

00:11:26 Organic Fertilizer #3 - Fish Emulsion, which is relatively inexpensive (1 quart for approx. $9 USD) and easy to find. Downside? Smells bad! If you have problems with rodents, switching to a liquid fertilizer can help you! Fish Emulsion (1 quart): https://amzn.to/3JifPfQ

E.B. Stone (4lb box): https://amzn.to/3KN8YLT
OBF (10oz bag): https://amzn.to/3IeEdh6
Biogold (10oz bag): https://amzn.to/3IeEdh6
Fish Emulsion (1 quart): https://amzn.to/3JifPfQ

Do you have any other organic fertilizers you've used and recommend? Let us know in the comments below! Please like and share this video, especially with any of bonsai newbies. As always, subscribe to our channel!