Tropfrog wrote:

I totally agree that a bonsai is more dependent on you for providing the nutrients.

Sure is, and like I said, even more dependent when on bonsai soil, other then a "development" soil, on watering and nutrients... And needing more watering will contribute to soil leaching, that wastes nutrients.

Tropfrog wrote:

But I do not see any big difference between organic and inorganic substrates here.

All right, but I see... Bonsai soil usually have a CEC around 30~40, but humic soil has a CEC around 250 ~ 400, and that's a big difference, because I can fertilize a soil as much as I want, it won't be able to hold it more than it's CEC allows...

So it's more efficient holding and delivering nutrients than Bonsai soil, even because you won't need to water as much reducing the leaching, and if you have a good granullometry or some inorganic mixed to make it more porous, you'll still have a decent amount of feeder roots.

Which brings again to my fisrt answer: The whole point on Bonsai soil (less to no organics) is to keep the tree growth more under control... It will grow as much as you allow it, and a lot less nitrogen is required for that stage, so it's not maximum growth...

Awailable nutrients does not depend on how much the soli holds solely. What you add is more important in a small pot. As long as you give the tree what it needs, there are no deficiency. I will not get inte calculations, but lets say that I am just as convinced about this as you are about the importancy of CEC in small pots. I give up this discussion. We had it before and we may have it again in the future. But for now I am out.

Have a nice day.

Tropfrog wrote:

Respectfully?? Should I asume there are no respect involved when that word is left out?

Cmon, I'm just trying to be polite dude, because I feel like I'm walking on eggshels everytime I share an opinion here...

Just read the whole topic again, you'll see that you gave your opinion, I gave mine on the topic.
Then you came back to challenge it, and I explained why I have that opinion...
You can see I came back to my main point twice.

Yes, that is what I call a discussion, and to me it should always be asumed that discussions is respectful.

Oscar is free to edit any thread where he thinks there are lack of respect.

I think we are far from the topic in the eye of OP now and there are no reason to discuss anything more about it in my opinion, but I am sure it will come up again in the future.

If you or OP thinks different I am up for that as well.