The vocabulary of bonsai enthusiasts includes terms that are rarely used in everyday life and therefore raise questions. Here are some of them, complete with explanations and tips.

Selective selection

When propagating by seed along with identical plants, it is possible to obtain specimens that differ from the mother plants in size, coloration and other characteristics, thus allowing for selection.

Stratification

Seeds of trees and shrubs for germination require observance or artificial creation of those natural conditions where they grow. Therefore, the conditions (mainly humidity and temperature), timing and duration of stratification will be different for each species at different latitudes.

Scarification

Some seeds or plant seeds have a hard, waterproof shell that makes germination difficult, and to speed up the process, mechanical, chemical or thermal damage to the shell, called scarification, is used. The simplest methods are sanding the surface with sandpaper, filing with a file, piercing with a needle or a sharp knife.

Drainage

A layer of permeable water and air material, through which not assimilated water flowed freely out of the container, and the roots do not rot. This can be a layer of expanded clay, vermiculite, perlite, small pebbles, pieces of charcoal, etc.

Claydite

A building material produced in the form of rounded granules with a diameter of 2-50 mm, obtained by firing clay at high temperature. It has a medium moisture capacity (up to 60%) and is used as drainage.
Disadvantages: it is destroyed by roots into small particles, accumulates pathogenic substances.

Containers

Containers of various volumes used for planting ornamental plants and bonsai.

Perlite

Volcanic glass containing a lot of silica, aluminum, iron, potassium, sodium oxides. It is characterized by lightness, high absorption capacity, has a high water capacity (holds water exceeding its own weight 4 times), but requires frequent moistening, it is used for rooting cuttings. Over time it is washed to the surface of the soil.
Dust from perlite is unfavorable for health.

Substrate (soil)

An earth mixture that is used for growing in containers or pots.

Coniferous soil

Formed from rotted spruce or fir needles from non-wetland areas.

Wood chips

Soil formed by the decomposition of sawdust, chips, bark, and the heartwood of trees.

Pinching

To reduce the size of the leaves and maintain the shape of the crown, branches are plucked. The operation is done manually, where special scissors or fingers are used to remove unwanted leaves. In deciduous trees, plucking is carried out several times a season.

Humus

The product of the breakdown of organic matter of animal or plant origin in the soil.

Partial replanting

A method of transplanting a plant with a clump of soil and roots without compromising their integrity.

Transplanting

The earth is carefully cleaned or washed off the roots, trying not to damage them, untangle the entangled. Remove rotted roots, cut thick roots are covered with crushed charcoal to prevent rotting.

Turf soil

Dense, heavy, nutrient-rich soil, formed as a result of decomposition of plants. For seedlings, as a soil mixture, sod earth should be disinfected from germs and pathogens. For this purpose, the earth is abundantly spilled with boiling water.

Akadama

A universally popular soil for all types of tree bonsai. Most often recommended for plants with root systems sensitive to overwatering, as it retains moisture for a long time.
It is a granular clay of volcanic origin found only in Japan. You can tell if the soil is moist by its color: light brown is dry, dark brown is moist.
Akadama provides the most comfortable conditions for root growth. For the full development of the plant, it is necessary to additionally use special fertilizers. Decomposes within a year.

Compost

The result of decomposition of organic matter with the receipt of loose friable mass, similar to earth, but more saturated with useful substances: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. For seedlings, as a soil mixture is suitable only after disinfection.

Decontamination

Organic components before using as a soil for seedlings, it is necessary to get rid of pathogens and microbes. Disinfection can be carried out in different ways: freeze, steaming, scorching in the oven or microwave, etching, pouring boiling water, etc. Note that this also kills valuable microflora.

Fertilizer basket

A plastic container for organic fertilizers helps to introduce fertilizers into the soil in the right volumes and proportions.
When watering, the fertilizer will be gradually eroded by the water and come to the roots of plants.

Kiryuzuna

This is a zeolite of Japanese origin, which is derived from mountain sand and volcanic gravel. The 1 to 6 mm granules greatly facilitate water drainage, allowing the roots to receive air. It also contains some iron, so it is widely used in dwarf conifers, for example. Kiryuzuna is one of the best ingredients for bonsai substrate. The most common mixture is the following: 70% Akadama and 30% Kiryuzuna.

Pumice

A plant substrate that is long lasting with the release of nutrients: silica, sodium, aluminum and calcium oxides. It also absorbs excess moisture and improves aeration.

Coconut substrate

Different types and fractions (briquettes, disks, tablets, shavings, fiber, chips) environmentally friendly substrate for growing plants. It has a high water capacity - it can hold 7 times more water compared to its mass, does not caking, has high air permeability and thermal conductivity. Before use is soaked in water, from 1 kg of dry substrate get 15 liters of soil. Because of the high price is used mainly for germination of seeds.

Vermiculite

Ecologically pure natural material with friability and flaky structure. Vermiculite does not decompose and does not rot under the action of microorganisms, is not toxic and does not contain heavy metals. It contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, aluminum, iron and silicon. The main useful property is the ability to retain water exceeding its own weight by 5 times, creating an optimal microclimate for plant roots. Vermiculite can make up to 50% of the soil composition. It is also used as drainage and in rooting cuttings, germination of seeds. For this purpose, vermiculite is used in its pure form, because fungi and microorganisms do not live in it.

Humus

Humus (over-ripened manure) and compost contain the largest amount of humus, macro and microelements, easily assimilated by the roots. The disadvantage - high risk of preserving pathogens, habitat for pests. For seedlings, as a soil mixture is suitable only after disinfection.

Light substrate

Light substrate, e.g. a mixture of peat and sand.

River sand

Tends to stick together thereby reducing the amount of air available to the roots. For substrate preparation, 10-30% of sand is mixed with a material that increases aeration (perlite, gravel, expanded clay, pumice). Before use, the sand is calcined in an oven and washed with water several times.

Garden soil

A bad variant of soil for seedlings because of the mixed unbalanced mineral composition, the presence of pathogenic microflora, pests, worms and other living organisms, possible salinity, the presence of heavy metal salts, etc. etc.

Soil for seedlings

The seedling soil should be neither acidic nor alkaline. The optimal acidity (pH) ranges from 6.5-6.7 - it is acidity close to neutral. If the soil packet shows an acidity of 5.5 or more - this soil needs deoxidizing before sowing seeds or picking. There should be no clay in the soil mixture.

Charcoal

A large amount of it can harm seedlings. It can accumulate salts, which can provoke problems with the salt balance when watering.

LECHUZA PON

LECHUZA PON is a professional quality mineral substrate used as a drainage or complete soil replacement. Does not contain harmful substances, provide the plant with macro- and microelements, evenly accumulates moisture, prevents mold and root rot.
Maintains an ideal ratio of water (45%) and air (55%). Composition: zeolite, volcanic rock, pumice, fertilizers (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) Within 6 -12 months completely replaces fertilizers. Produced in Germany. Can be used for several years without replacement, maintaining its structure.

Universal soil

Ready-to-use soil with medium nutrient content for growing most indoor plants. It is an optimal medium for the development of the root system of seedlings. Composition: peat, river sand, organic additives, perlite, mineral macro- and micro fertilizers. Depending on the type of seedlings to improve the soil add: coconut, sphagnum moss, charcoal, perlite and vermiculite.

Zeolites

A group of minerals capable of absorbing and giving back water depending on temperature and humidity. They are characterized by a glassy or pearlescent luster. Zeolite is of natural origin - it is a product of volcanic lava and rock. Zeolite granules mixed with soil increase its porosity and prevent particles from sticking together (cementing). The acidity of zeolite is optimal: pH 5.5-5.6.

Lava

Depending on its origin, has different properties and silicate content. Lava is very light and highly porous. It is used as a substrate. Disadvantages: lava can be affected by fertilizers, contains a significant amount of aluminum, which is able to enter the plants.

Peat

Peat is formed from bog plants in a cold, wet, oxygen-poor acidic environment. All types of peat are acidic. They are commonly used in mixtures, often in combination with sand and loams, with the incorporation of organics into the mixture and with a favorable pH. Peat is categorized into three types, from least to most decomposed: light, dark and black. All types of peat have a high water holding capacity and shrink when irrigated. For this reason, and because of their acidity, they cannot be used pure in pots, but only in small quantities for rooting cuttings and germinating seeds. A large amount of peat prevents the roots from drying out.

High-type peat

High-type peat is obtained by decomposition of pine trees, sphagnum. It has an acidic environment. It is used mainly for mulching the top layer of soil.

Upper neutralised peat

Neutralized with lime flour. It is used for preparation of substrates for seedlings, mulching and protecting plant roots from winter frost.

Low-type peat

Low-type peat, has low acidity, is used as a fertilizer.

Cultivation of seedlings

Cultivation of seedlings is the transplanting of seedlings from a smaller container to a larger one after the first true leaves appear. The procedure raises questions, since it would seem better to immediately and painlessly sow into large pots. Much depends on the drainage - the larger the pot, the more difficult it is to ensure the drainage of moisture and oxygen supply to the roots is hampered. Sprouts will grow more slowly. On the other hand, sprouts in a small pot can grow too fast and stretch out, and picking gives you the opportunity to slow down the growth of seedlings.