I live in a very hot area in Central Texas. Its stays in mid 90sF and gets above 100F some days. I’m currently using a mix of perlite, pine bark, pumice. Wondering if adding vermiculite would help it hold a little more moisture while still being free drying. Any incites are appreciated!

Texas is way from my growing conditions. But hot and dry normally means more organics or burned clay ingredients for more moist holdig capacities.

Ask 10 local bonsai artists about the best soil and you will get at least 12 different answers. Ask 10 different bonsai artists living in 10 different places in the world and you will proboably get 20 different answers. Everybody have their own way to tackle the challenge.

Anyway, I remember two youtubers doing bonsai in Texas. Not sure if they are active today, but you may be able to go back in their history and see what they are doing. The names is grow and clip bonsai for seniors and bonedry bonsai.

Good luck.

Many thanks for your answers. I'm watching some YouTube videos. Hope that it can help.

I live in North Dakota which also gets that hot and with a similar soil mix to you I would have to water like 3 times a day. All of my prebonsai are in regular potting mix and some acadama, now I only have to water once a day, or less.