Akadama Substitutes

[tmalin]

Hello
I’m new to bonsai and have a question regarding akadama.
A friend sent me a link to a web article about using cat litter or diatomaceous earth in place of akadama. The author lives in Europe and found only one cat litter that did not break down. It is not available in the US. However, he mentions an oil absorbent available from NAPA auto parts that works well.
Has anyone had any experience using a substitute for akadama? If so, what did you use and what were the results.

[plantmanky]

tmalin,

Akadama is nothing more than a low fired earth clay and will break down over time into plain old clay. I personally don't use it. I find that for the high fired structural material in bonsai soil commercial products like, Haydite, Mule mix or Turface are better in that they don't break down at all. I usually mix one of those along with some percentage of sterilized soil (baked in the oven for 30 minutes at 200F) works fine. Depending on what kind of plant your talking about the soil composition will include a structural material (see above) humus and Clay. Hope that helps I wouldn't use cat litter at all. Crushed granite can also be used but it's better for conifers.

[lewisjk]

Double check to see if that article about using cat litter is from the UK. They apparently have a brand over there -- Tesco -- that makes a coarse, unscented, unclumping cat litter that works well for bonsai soil and is widely used.

American kitty litter products are "too fancy" -- they smell too sweet or turn to mushy, clingy goop when wet.

I generally use Turface (or one of its many clone products depending on availability) granite grit and composted pine (conifer) bark in various proportions depending on the plants that will go it it.

Akadama is one of those "Japanese" things, that newcomers are often told they "must" use to grow bonsai.

[MatsuBonsai]

I have been using Akadama as part of my mix for more than 6 years and have had outstanding results. I use the "Boon mix" (1/3 Akadama, 1/3 lava, 1/3 pumice). Of course, Boon teaches us proper repotting, watering, and fertilizing techniques, without which I wouldn't recommend it. If you can't find Akadama you can substitute more lava.

In what part of the world are you located? Are you a member of any local clubs? What are those in your area using in their soil mixes?

[BillsBayou]

Kitty litter is usually a bad choice because of the chemical additives used to neutralize urine and feces content and odor.

The Japanese are very good at using Japanese soil components. I recommend that Americans get very good at using American soil components. I think that paying to import soil components is a waste of money.

Unless, of course, you're like John and have access to skilled tutelage. Then you'd be better skilled to utilize the components properly.

Contact a local club, or the one closest to you, to find out what they're using.

[tmalin]

Thank you all for your help.

Tom