Soil?

[Richard Tuur]

I was wondering what you all think about using pure Akadama as a growth medium, instead of a soil mix. I have just potted up my Juniper and my Ficus Microcarpa in this, after reading in several books that this is a good way to grow Bonsai. I guess it will really need regular watering, as it drains fast.
Any thoughts?

[opabinia51]

Well, I've never used it myself mainly because of the advice given to me from the bonsai instructor who .... instructed me Anyway, according to what Scott has told me; the Akadama has been heat treated (I think) such that it does not clump together and it apparently does contain some nutrients.

As said, I don't personally use it and prefer compost and (usually) potting soil but, there are drawbacks to that as well.

Oh, and I am sure that Scott will be here soon with the correct take of his on Akadama (sorry Scott if I messed up what you said before)

[The Helpful Gardener]

No Opa, you have it...

I do not much like straight potting soil as it does not withhold nutrients and makes watering a much trickier process to gauge (*between too wet and too dry).

That said straight Akadama does not hold a lot of nutrients and is a better call for evergreens (Pines in particular would dwarf much better from this treatment), so this might work for the juniper, but the ficus is a hungry feeder and used to jungle soils; not as good a fit. Read this...

http://www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/03/soil.html

HG