So I've been playing around with a new soil mix and thought I'd share my experience. I’ve been hearing some folks talk about using "coconner" as part of their bonsai soil composition. It piqued my curiosity because my usual go-to has been a mix of akadama, pumice, and lava rock. I decided to throw a bit of coconner into the mix for my little Japanese maple (Acer palmatum). I think it's supposed to be good for water retention? It's spring now, so I figured if it works, it'll help keep the roots moist as we head into the warmer months.

Turns out, I might’ve gone a bit overboard with the coconner. After a heavy rain last week, the soil was still quite soggy after a few days. I think my maple is a bit annoyed with me. I was worried about root rot, so I carefully lifted it out and found that it wasn’t too bad, just a bit waterlogged. Thankfully, the roots are healthy so far. I've adjusted the mix now, reducing the amount of coconner and adding more pumice to improve drainage. It's always a balancing act, isn’t it? Anyone else trying out coconner in their mixes? Would love to hear if you have any tips or similar hiccups!