Inorganic Soil Components Part 2 Akadama Akadama is a volcanic soil - it is composed of partially to completely altered tephra deposits of volcanic ash and pumice. - Colin Lewis, In brief; there are still a number of enthusiasts that have used Akadama exclusively or as part of a soil-mix for many years, and their Bonsai will not have exhibited /obvious /signs of ill-health as a direct result of using Akadama. It doesn't fit the growing conditions around here (Northern Europe), it is expensive, and other high quality soils are available at low costs. My Bonsai are always stowed in a cold frame greenhouse. I have used lava a lot, and I am impressed by the results I have seen with newly collected plants. The most important thing for Bonsai soil is all the characteristic features, and we found them all better in Volcanic soil. - Harry Harrington, I mostly use sphagnum peat (not to be confused with the fresh mosses used for air layering i.e.) If this is adopted the resulting growth, particularly in the second year after repotting, is strong yet controllable. 5mm kanuma soil. Or: Bottom line, make your own experiences and do not use money at a advertised "quality" akadama because it is Japanese, or because your Bonsai dealer tells you to use a Japanese soil, because Bonsai is Japanese. How to Repot a Satsuki Azalea Kanuma. Summers may vary from long hot and dry periods, to rainy periods. It is very similar to Akadama in its structure and will allow roots to grow through it in the same fashion Akadama does. 5mm kanuma soil. I use less akadama on the tree in training (25% or less). Akadama does break down. Maples: Akadama 8 parts, Sphagnum Moss 1 … Pumice is an improvement on both turface and lava. I used to export a lots to many countries, especially Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan and China, but we are no more allowed to export. 10$ Also available in larger quantities of 3L -25$ and 5 L- 40$ Also have specialized bonsai mix If interested. - Boonyarat Manakitivipart (Bonsai Boon), This depends on what is currently available. It provides a full range of bonsai trees, pots and tools. Mobile : 0414983880 So I go two parts Akadama/Kanuma to one part everything else. Your trees are growing at your destination, and must be treated that way. The soil microcosms were incubated at 30°C with shaking at 120 rpm for 21 days. And you will never know what the good healthy roots look like. Large (Used mainly for drainage) 4. It's 100% Australia clay. It is kitty litter. Hard Premium Akadama Bonsai Soil. This I mix with pebbles of Leca or lava e.g. Akadama (赤玉土, akadamatsuchi, red ball earth) is a naturally occurring, granular clay-like mineral used as Large particles produce heavy root and heavy top growth while fine particles produce fine roots and fine top growth - important for pines in particular and any bonsai once the basic structure is established. SOIL: MIXES 3. If you are growing them out in a big pot, I might consider adding 1/4 pine bark to the mix, but no higher. Satsuki/Azaleas: 100% with a little charcoal (In a dry summer climate such as South or Western Australia 5 - 10% Sphagnum Moss may be added.) It is on the cool side in summer here in San Francisco Bay Area. Fine Rainy periods often are in autumn, and summer showers shows too. In summer we have cold fog coming in from the ocean. I follow that recommendation. Medium for all stages. When repotting do not jab too hard with the chopstick as this will break the granules down. Small gravel of a uniform/graded size could be used instead. - Colin Lewis, Akadama breaks down over 1 to 2 years, depending on the quality of the akadama, freeze/thaw cycle in your climate and frequency of watering. Perlite and vermiculite are two inorganic Or: (2) Akadama 8 parts, CRS 2 parts. - Harry Harrington, Not using akadama is because it easily breaks down in freezing periods. Bonsai is a hobby that anyone can enjoy. The proportions of organic and sand varies according to species. Used for Coniferous, deciduous and other varieties, other than acid-loving plants. IMPORTANT: PLEASE NOTE They drain perfectly if prepared correctly (see below). But as with all broken-down, airless clay-soils in Bonsai pots, drainage is poor, absorbance of water into dry akadama is poor, and the overall health of the tree as well as its vigor is greatly reduced. 1. Australian Natives: This is currently an open field but Akadama has been used 100% on its own, mixed with Kanuma and/or gravel and other media with remarkably good effect. The Super Fine Grades of Akadama and Kanuma can be used for cuttings, either combined with River/Propagating Sand 50/50 or on its own. Putting Soil in the Pot. It is simply because in Japan it is, or at least was, a relatively cheap and freely available to enthusiasts. I read a lot about Japanese Akadama soil mix, sorry about the spelling. Following these simple instructions a perfect very open free-draining mix can be achieved - ideal for bonsai culture. Indoor Plants: Kanuma 3 parts, Akadama 4 parts, Matured pine fines 3 parts. They are light and therefore easier for pot handling, but most importantly they have the following useful properties: 1. Akadama and Kanuma. Pines, and other trees who needs a very free draining soil is planted in 70 - 90 percent Leca pebbles and 10 - 30 percent sphagnum peat mixed with a normal garden soil for greenhouse plants. - Robert Steven, I live in USDA zone 10a (with a range of 35 to 40 F). One season can present temperatures as low as-10 to -20 degrees in periods with snow, and some winters shows between 5 - 10 degrees above freezing, with minor periods with frosts. If you decide to use organic and potting soil, you are not with me. One misunderstanding that many enthusiasts seem to have is that although Akadama has been used for many years in Japan; this is not because it is the 'best' soil for Bonsai. This means that extra care must be taken when working a lava-rich soil between the roots. I have been using Diatomaceous Earth or 'Diatomite' (Catlitter) on my trees for around a decade now. But for the Kanuma (for Azaleas) I use more Kanuma and minus the volcanic cinder. For many species native to my area (picea, larix, abies, native acer) I am resorting to organic and sand, with about 25 percent recycled akadama/lava/whatever. 50/50 mixture is used as basic soil mixture. Perlite Vs. Vermiculite: Which is Better for Your Garden and Why? The use of pumice for bottom layer drainage (5/16 “) is recommended. Maples: Akadama 8 parts, Sphagnum Moss 1 part, CRS 1 part. - Morten Albek, No experience other than volcanic material. Rainfall levels are fairly high and the freeze-thaw cycle is regular, particularly from January through until April. Denmark is a country with a proud gardening history and a well developed greenhouse tradition, which has contributed with a lot of research and development bringing forward the best soil mixtures for container growing i.e. They maintain near perfect moisture retention for plant health. Soil For Your Red Maple Bonsai. But I find that at lower levels in the pot the rough texture of the grains holds too much water by surface tension which, ironically considering the large particles, impedes drainage. Sydney - Enfield Produce / Pet and Garden Supplies (Ordinary peat repels water if it dries out in the mix.) Imported from Japan. Hopefully enough information for you to decide for yourself what's best for your trees! - Robert Steven, Our soil recipe contains, 1 part lava rock, 1 part pumice, 1 part Akadama, ½ cup of horticultural charcoal (per 5 gallon mix), ½ cup of decompose granite (per 5 gallon mix). Trees are paced under the sky from midd March to November. Mail : ken@poolez.com. We have an average _total_ snowfall of 2.5 meters. - Morten Albek, We are truly tropical with only warm and raining season; and we are mostly working deciduous trees, not much on conifers. Cat litter is a similar product to turface, but may contain contaminants, so I avoid it. The Japanese climate, and their lacking availability of other soil types makes akadama their choice. And understandably, they will not have reason to question its use. 3.2 Quart Bag Kanuma is a granular Japanese Potting Medium for Acid-Loving Bonsai. ETBE degrada- Sphagnum Moss should be prepared by drying and then rubbing through a medium sieve to make even particles before adding to the mix. Twenty-five (or more) soil combinations may fore-fill the exact same purpose. Zeolite is good (I also found some recently and started using it) but depends on size too. Quite often, however, the new hobbyist asks all the questions but the really important ones. - Robert Steven, I use Akadama because it is one of the best ingredient to use. Akadama Website to find out the full details on the product, Current pricing and availability http://akadama.com.au/?q=node/1, Website for details of Kanuma is here http://akadama.com.au/?q=node/2, Please call or email me for availability but I usually can supply most orders from stock on hand. Whatever soil type you may prefer, make sure it is heat treated to solve any issues with diseases or pests, and therefore it is advisable newer to use any soils from the garden. it broke down after 2 years or something, and I didn't find any better than our volcanic soil but very expensive, then I stopped. The use of pumice for bottom layer drainage (5/16 “) is recommended.For conifers from the desert and high mountains use medium size mix (3/8” – 5/16”). You need to learn how to repot and remove and add soil properly. Yet another advantage to using this soil would be in the colour of Akadama, which can darken when moisten, thereby helping the caretaker to know when to water the plant. - Colin Lewis, I haven't used Akadama on my own trees for over 10 years now; there have been occasions a client has insisted on using it for deciduous trees (that can be bare-rooted) but I always refuse to repot a coniferous species into Akadama. I got a pallet of Akadama and Kanuma shipped over to secure my/Canberra's supplies in the the short term. It is not a perfect or mysterious receipt solving any problems or making any Bonsai look better. We recommend you experiment with different mixes to ensure the best growing medium for your growing conditions/environment. (2) Akadama 8 parts, CRS 2 parts. to adjust transpiration and drainage. - Harry Harrington, The climate in Denmark, Northern Europe, shows sometimes very shifting conditions. Zelkova/Elms: Akadama 8 parts, CRS 2 parts. An additional problem with lava is that the surface has sharp edges that can easily damage tender roots during repotting. Yes, I use akadama for all my trees. Even the harder akadama types are not resistant over longer time spans. 1 liter bag. In Japan it rains for the month of June (Northern hemisphere) and the temperature is about 30°C; July is around 35°C with about 99% humidity. Main menu. Finally, a big thanks to the contributing experts. Shohin Bonsai gets a mixture with up to 80 percent soil, and 20 percent drainage pebbles or small stones like lava pebbles.For large trees that doesn't want a free draining soil, a app. Used principally for acid-loving bonsai - Azaleas/Rhododendrons, Camellias, etc, Satsuki in particular. They are granular in character and aid root/nebari development. We all have different experiences based on climate, local conditions (as down to how the Bonsai are placed in the garden like in semi-shade, a hot place with stones on the ground warmed by the sun, a humid area with a moist ground i.e., or how we water and feed, how well we transplant our trees, how much knowledge we gain, and so on. I believe you can get it in Australia but it is very expensive. A lot of our experienced customers use Akadama soil for their conifers and deciduous trees, but it's also recommend for novice gardeners. Read more about this here. - Boonyarat Manakitivipart (Bonsai Boon), Temperatures range from a normal summer high of 38c to a normal winter low of -25c, in Southern Maine, USA. I also use recycled Akadama as a partial ingredient in general purpose soils. As I don't consider myself an expert at Bonsai soil, but do like to be able to provide my website visitors with an answer, I decided to ask a few people that I personally consider experts at Bonsai. I've had a few different types that have survived over the past few years but they have always been in regular potting soil. At Bonsai Empire we receive questions about Akadama, and its use for Bonsai soil, quite a lot. Buy and sell almost anything on Gumtree classifieds. Black Pine/White Pine/Shimpaku: Akadama 7 parts, Coarse River Sand (CRS) 3 parts. Highest temperatures varies from 60-90°F (15-32°C). Newest products, latest trends and bestselling items、Terrarium Materials：Tools & Gardening, Items from Singapore, Japan, Korea, US and all over the world at highly discounted price! Excellent and cheap! Allow greater control over fertilisers in the potting medium. Both (hard) Akadama and Kanuma come in 4 grades: And then learn how to water and fertilize properly. - Colin Lewis, I have experience of using turface, seramis, cat litter on my own trees and experience of a wide range of alternatives used by clients on their Bonsai. So if you live in an area comparable to the Japanese climate akadama might be your choice, or maybe you find another source better suited (both practically and economically). Would this mix do as a substitute? But I soaked it over night in water, and although the outside of the particles dissolved to color the water reddish, it left small grit in its wake. The humid Japanese climate during summer and frequent repotting of trees, practically makes akadama a favorite choice of Bonsai soil there (also economically compared to importing soils). Whether you are newbie or advanced succulent grower, I am sure that you know the succulents are desert plants which mean they strive for soilless mix. Frankly, in the USA Akadama is becoming so expensive that a cheaper, viable alternative must be found. For lower elevation conifer and water loving conifer, use small size mix (1/16” – 1 / 4 “). - Robert Steven, No there is no possible alternatives to Akadama. Ficus: 100% Akadama. NOTES: - Colin Lewis, The soil mix I use for all of my trees contains certain brands of cat-litter available in the UK (Diatomaceous Earth or 'Diatomite') and various amounts of chopped-bark, depending on the water retention required according to the tree species, vigor of the individual tree and even the shape of the Bonsai pot. So no exact formula is the one and only. All ingredients must be bone dry, screened and sized. The discussion above does reveal the importance of one matter; the question whether or not Akadama is a good soil for Bonsai depends very much on your climate, your budget, availability of alternatives and how you use soil in the first place. In a mix of other mineral ingredients, the roots only have the space between the grains, which may be as low as 30 percent of the pot volume. Bonsai in Adelaide. I used to suggest and argue on the soil subject. 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