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?
-
- Full Member
- Posts: 11
- Joined: Tue Mar 07, 2006 1:16 pm
-
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 4659
- Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2004 5:58 pm
- Location: Victoria, BC
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)
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)
-
- Mod
- Posts: 7491
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:17 pm
- Location: Colchester, CT
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...
[url]https://www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/03/soil.html[/url]
HG
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...
[url]https://www.helpfulgardener.com/bonsai/03/soil.html[/url]
HG