Description
Akadama is the growing medium particle, imported from Japan, that forms the basis of most mixes considered ideal for bonsai cultivation.
It is a natural, dried clay, particle that is very often used in Japan on it’s own. With our different climates and, in some ways at least, different approach to bonsai, most in the west, ourselves included, prefer to use it as the basic part of a mix.
In Japan there are different grades of akadama as well as different particle sizes. Offered here is the better, hard grade product in a 3 to 6 mm particle size. Notice the distinct particle form of this clay, not your conventional loam [ soil ] much less peat ! In our view both loam and peat tend to retain far too much water, predominantly during the autumn and winter periods when, with the roots dormant in deciduous species or less active in conifers, the frequent rainfall results in ordinary soils retaining excess water. Waterlogged soils lead to weakened, or worse, dying roots. Why ? Because roots need air almost as much as they need water and in waterlogged conditions simply not enough air is available to the roots.
The subject of roots, growing media and re-potting is THE most important part of bonsai cultivation, particularly if you want to have healthy plants that you can turn into good bonsai, rather than just keep alive.
This is 14 litre bag of hard quality akadama, 3 to 6 mm particle size
