Akadama soil

jevs · Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 6:47 am Post subject: Akadama soil

Been talking to people who have given this stuff some rave reviews. I have also bought a few bonsai recently and they are potted in the stuff.

But i've found it dries out so quickly, i'm having to water some of my trees...especially the smaller ones, up to 3 times a day.

I'd personally like to remove the akadama and replace with proper soil but i fear it's too late. However, i also fear losing one or more of the trees when it gets really hot and i can't get home to water them.

What would you suggest.

Many thanks

Andy

Dick · Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 2:28 pm Post subject: Re: Akadama soil

Akadama is a porous fired clay product that permits the soil to drain freely in a bonsai pot, which is always what you want it to do. But being porous it also retains moissture in the crevasses and indentations. I have used it with my pines, but I also mix in some sand and other grit. But I have never found it to dry as rapidly as you indicate, even with the one tree that I have potted almost exclusively in it. In the hottest days of summer, if your soil is very porous, it may very well need watering more than once per day, especially if the tree is in full sun. If you want that not to be the case, place the tree in a location that will get morning sun only and it will reduce the need for more frequent watering.

Stymie · Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: Akadama soil

I think that you might be assuming that its dry when only the top surface is. At this time of the year, three waterings per day is excessive. This is only necessary with thimble sized pots in midsummer. Take heart, things will not be as bad as they seem. Bear in mind that Akadama has no inherent feed value and fertilizing is fairly important. I'd give it a chance.

m5eay · Posted: Wed May 11, 2005 1:31 pm Post subject: Re: Akadama soil

Hi all,
I changed a number of trees over to Akadama last year, and the root growth was excellent, it meant that I had to repot all the trees I did last year. So I decided that I would go back to a more conventional mix from a local Bonsai nursery that I know well. I agree that it does dry out very quickly, and I am already watering only once a day instead of twice. We will see what happens.
Geoff