Akadama vs. Pumice vs. Lava Rock

[Redwood Ryan]

Hi fellow Nuts,


I recently ordered some pumice and lava rock from Bonsai Jack and am anxious to get to repotting some Ficus. However, I'm a bit uncertain as to the differences between Akadama, pumice, and lava rock. They all seem to hold water and increase aeration in the soil, but for what reason would I want to add all 3 into a soil mixture if they all (to the best of my knowledge) do the same thing? What does one offer that the others don't? More water retention?

 

[Giga]

There's a thread here that goes into difference between pumice and lava, but they both don't hold a lot of water while akadama is water retentive and functioned as your water retention piece of the puzzle, to put it simply. Lava and pumice also doesn't break down and most akadama types does after a year or two. I would Google each type to really find a good read or just use the search here. Soil is a heated debated but unless you can stay on top of your watering all day then you'll need a water retaining soil mix, which akadama functions as.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

...pumice and lava...don't hold a lot of water while akadama is water retentive...

...most akadama types does [break down]after a year or two.

These statements are not consistent with my experience; which is that lava is far more retentive (holds more, and is slower to release retained water) than akadama. And akadama does not break down in a year or two; certainly not to the degree where it poses a risk to the tree.

 

[Giga]

Not a risk to the tree but here's a good read

https://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/repotting-a-beast/

 

[Anthony]

Ryan,

we are getting extraordinary results just using 5 mm builder's gravel [ silica based ] with 1/10 compost by volume, and all are being grown in 1 to 1.5 " deep pots,
Placement is full sun and with breeze.
They don't seem to need a lot of water.
Watering is done twice a day, morning and night.

You may wish to try.
Best of luck in your potting, you are always a joy to read.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[carp]

It literally does not matter what you plant your tree in as long as you water it accordingly.

 

[JoeR]

Does anybody use just drystall (pumice) and bark fines?

 

[quietobserver]

Does anybody use just drystall (pumice) and bark fines?

I use regular pumice (from wee tree) and bark fines on ficus i grow indoors. Best mix I've found so far.

 

[JoeR]

Is that used just for indoor though?

I use regular pumice (from wee tree) and bark fines on ficus i grow indoors. Best mix I've found so far.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Not a risk to the tree but here's a good read

https://peterteabonsai.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/repotting-a-beast/

Yes, that is a good read, but what do you know to be true? I know I'd rather read your experiences and results with lava, pumice, and akadama than reread a 3 year old blog post.

Incidentally, that post doesn't discuss lava; and pumice I've used from Japan is different from the pumice I've found here. The imported pumice I've used is very similar to akadama; but slightly lighter-weight, lighter yellow in color, round, and can be pulverized by hand, just like akadama. Pumice here is dense, white or grey, sharp, and hard.

So go! practice, experiment, photograph and share! To whet the appetite, here is a experiment I'm running in my garden: root growth in turface/lava vs. akadama/lava with two 3-year-old Chinese Quince cuttings.

 

[Giga]

I use the white pumice and red lava and I found that they are about the same in term of water retention in my area. The akadama I used was very water retentive. I don't use it anymore becuase of cost. I use turface, pumice,lava, sifted soil conditioner and charcoal. I did all the experiments a few years ago and like my mix

 

[Vin]

Bonsai soil is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get until it grows (the tree that is)

 

[quietobserver]

Is that used just for indoor though?

No, works fine outside too. Depending on the mix of pine to pumice, learn/watch the tree's water needs. Pumice is great at giving up the last of its water when the tree needs it.

 

[bonsairxmd]

For what it's worth, I've had the best results with 1:1 lava and pine bark with ficus. I use Boon's mix for everything else (1:1:1 lava, akadama, pumice) except azaleas. I buy my Boon's mix from Wee Trees and Pine Bark from Jacks.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I just bought some pine bark from Dallas Bonsai. Got my pumice and lava rock from Jacks. We'll see.

 

[Brian Van Fleet]

Not to take any business away from the bonsai retailers, but you guys do realize that "soil conditioner" is pine bark, which can be used almost straight out of the bag...right?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_97675-66882-97675_0__

 

[JoeR]

Not to take any business away from the bonsai retailers, but you guys do realize that "soil conditioner" is pine bark, which can be used almost straight out of the bag...right?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_97675-66882-97675_0__

I've been researching alternatives too because I just can't see paying so much for soil. Hence the interest in dry stall.

I just sifted the bark out of the leftover potting soil we used for our garden seedlings. Granted they are varying sizes but they are for the most part pretty close.

 

[armetisius]

Not to take any business away from the bonsai retailers, but you guys do realize that "soil conditioner" is pine bark, which can be used almost straight out of the bag...right?
http://www.lowes.com/pd_97675-66882-97675_0__

Not stocked at my local; what is the average particle size on this product Brian?

 

[mcpesq817]

Does anybody use just drystall (pumice) and bark fines?

I use Dry Stall for my pumice supply. For larger pumice for my collected Rocky Mountain trees, I sourced it from Nature's Way.

I don't mix bark fines or organic generally for any of my trees. Mine is mostly a modified Boon's mix with lava, pumice, haydite and a splash of granite grit and horticultural charcoal. To cut down on cost and weight, I use a pumice/turface/granite grit mix (with horticultural charcoal) for trees I'm growing out. Pure turface seems to be prone to clumping/dry spot issues especially if you use organic fertilizers, but cutting it with other components seems to eliminate that issue.

 

[Giga]

Home Depot carries one called natures helper soil conditioner, it's the brand I have available to me. Works perfect and can be used out of the bag if you don't have a sifter, just watch ur ratios