Akadama Soil Mix

[marleey73]

Hi I am wondering if anyone knows where in the Sydney area one can buy the Akadama bonsai mix or does one have to mix themselves. I have been told that this is the best mix for bonsai? If so is it for all trees or just certain one. Many thanks for your time.

[kcpoole]

Akadama is not a Mix but a clay product from Japan. It is used either straight or mixed with other components to make up a suitable mix. Commonly Pumice and decomposed granite
Leong at Caringbah used to have it and also at Schoefields. The only guaranteed source I know of now is Scott Roxborough from Canberra. He stocks it for himself but is happy to sell to others if the need.

Ken

[Luke308]

Akadama is very popular in Japan, and with some people here in Australia. Its only downsides are its price, and the fact it breaks down over time which can be detrimental to the health of a tree if not re-potted for some time as the dust will clog the air spaces between particles causing roots to eventually suffocate.

Being you are in Sydney, I would try and get your hands on some Mt Sylvia Diatomite. Search the words Diatomite, and mt sylvia on here and you will find a wealth of info. The plus side of diatomite is it doesn't break down, holds 150-200% its own weight in water, and is easy enough to obtain in the eastern states. Make sure you get the 2-7mm grade sold as "kleensorb", but make sure you sift out the dust & fines.

Im certain if they had diatomite in Japan, they would use that for bonsai.

[Craig]

Hi Luke, have you personally ever used Akadama?

[matlea]

Leong hasn't stocked it or Korean expanded clay for some time...diatomite seems popular with people on the site and might be the go...

[Andrew F]

Leong hasn't stocked it or Korean expanded clay for some time...diatomite seems popular with people on the site and might be the go...

Glad i stocked when i was down there last

[Luke308]

Hi Luke, have you personally ever used Akadama?

No but I know you boys in W.A do.

Am I wrong about it breaking down after a few years? If so please correct me, but I am sure I have read that on here somewhere.

[Pup]

Hi Luke, have you personally ever used Akadama?

No but I know you boys in W.A do.

Am I wrong about it breaking down after a few years? If so please correct me, but I am sure I have read that on here somewhere.

Yes Luke we do use it as the guys that import live in WA. No it does not break down if you get the hard grade which is what is available to us.

In Japan they have been using it for longer than Australia has been settled by Europeans. For miscellaneous trees, that is any thing other than coniferous tree's they use Akadama only in differing grades (all are sifted ). For Coniferous, it is used 50/50 with course river sand/ decomposed granite.

Repoting is no more frequent in my trees as in any others, even Natives.
Statements on something you have not tried, or proven only helps to confuse people.
Cheers Pup

[Craig]

I have had no break down of my Akadama, I wash my substrates clean before mixing to eliminate as much dust as possible . I even reuse the same old soil sometimes when i repot a tree, it's that good . Have fun Mate

I personally have tried a small amount of diatomite aswell. As I only had a small amount I did not prepare a true mix, I tried and teasted it on a chinese elm which grew ok but the mix dried way too fast for my liking even though the tree was grown over a gravel tray(which may of helped).
I'd love to try Diatomite for a while with some Melaleucas. Maybe someone from East will help hook me up .

[kcpoole]

I'd love to try Diatomite for a while with some Melaleucas. Maybe someone from East will help hook me up .

Funny that When i tried Akadama, I found it dried out far too quickly, and have gone back to Diatomite
next time anyone comes over here craig, let me know and I will send a bucket or 2 over with them so you can try.

Ken

[Luke308]

Yes Luke we do use it as the guys that import live in WA. No it does not break down if you get the hard grade which is what is available to us.
In Japan they have been using it for longer than Australia has been settled by Europeans. For miscellaneous trees, that is any thing other than coniferous tree's they use Akadama only in differing grades (all are sifted ). For Coniferous, it is used 50/50 with course river sand/ decomposed granite.
Repoting is no more frequent in my trees as in any others, even Natives.
Statements on something you have not tried, or proven only helps to confuse people.
Cheers Pup

So in summary, diatomite is porous like akadama. It has similar temperature insulating properties. Unlike akadama though, diatomite doesn't break down over time. The only thing I am personally not clear on is the cation exchange ratio (CEC) of akadama vs diatomite. I suspect they are both quite low.
I don't mean to offend by posting this alternative view. That's not my point. All I wish is that, information posted on forums try a stay as factually correct as possible so everyone benefits. The information generally posted on Ausbonsai I think is more accurate than compared with other forums I visit and I think that is an important quality.
If anyone has an alternative view and disagrees with what I've posted above, please speak up. I'm always trying to improve my scientific understanding of what we do in bonsai.

Your right Pup, I shouldn't comment unless I have had personal experience, but after reading this topic response from wooddy11 viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10195&hilit=akadam ... n&start=15 he sure sounds like he knows what he is talking about. I am certain I have read it in some of my bonsai books also, but I know that first hand experience will always benefit you more than reading. Im sorry if I confused anyone, or mislead anyone, but you did state that you use the hard grade stuff. I am guessing (and that's dangerous too ) that the softer grades are the ones that can break down after 3-5 years use? I am always trying to expand my knowledge and learn more, so I am happy to hear your response in regards to why you use the hard grade, and how you can determine the difference between hard grade and the softer grades?

I have personally used diatomite at 100%, and at varying percentages with zeolite, and with or without pine bark nuggets and found that the roots are always fibrous and very healthy. I live in the driest state in the country, and I usually water twice a day in summer without trays of water beneath my pots and my trees thrive. So I can say from personal experience diatomite does all I need from a substrate.

In future I will not make statements, but rather pose a question unless it is from personal experience so as to not confuse people.

Have a good day

[marleey73]

Luke you haven't confused me I do appreciate your reply as I appreciate all of you. I have used Debco Plugger for all of my trees without any problems ever. Just saw a lot of references to Akadama which intrigued me. I think by the sound of it I will stick to the plugger. Many thanks to all

[Scott Roxburgh]

If you would like Akadama, I stock it for sale on the east coast, although I am in Canberra.

I also sell a graded mix of Akadama and Pumice sieved. PM me if you'd like details.

[reddoggy]

I agree with you marleey3, I have been using it for years now add a bit of more free draining components (eg diatomite and zeolite) and do not have any problems,all these threads seem to get people riled up,there is a lot of them on Ausbonsai,everybody has their favorite potions and I reckon what works for you go for it,at the end of the day trees will grow in anything if you look after them,they normally grow in dirt in the ground and that varies quite considerably around the world.

[marleey73]

Couldn't agree more. This is a great site. We are all entitled to our own opinions. What works for some doesn't work for others.