Hi guys!

I am having some problems getting my hands on proper soil. The ideal would of course be akadama or another fired clay, pumice or something like it to ensure the right properties. And to be able to make suitable mixes for different needs and so on. But where I live both are not only hard to come by but also ridicules expensive, so I am looking for alternatives.

I’ve heard of people who have good success with cat sand, the cheap and simple stuff. But that it breaks down when hit by frost due to water expansion and so on. Leading to a need to change soil more often than preferable. I myself have never tried it, so I can’t bee 100% sure what to expect from it. I also collect quite a bit of yamadori so I prefer not to use anything to sterile, most of the time I end up curing anything I use and that again can lead to breakdown in particles.

Anyway, if anyone here has some good advice on alternatives that would be great.

Thanks

Care sharing where you from? Might be easyer to suggest a local substrate.

What is the best soil really depends on your climate and care routine. The best way is to meet People that has been successful growing bonsai in your area for decades and learn from them. Such people is normally active in local bonsai clubs, so getting a membership is a good investment.

By the way.....Akadama is no way near optimum substrate where I am located. Cat litter is much better.

my thoughts..

www.growingbonsai.net/characteristics-of-good-bonsai-substrate/

note, you need very specific cat litter. most are not suited!

Scandinavia, and I have gone over the typical candidates. Have probably missed something, so here I am.

Yes of course, I agree. But there are no bonsai clubs locally, and not many keep bonsai. What kind of cat litter do you use and for what environment?

If your from Scandinavia, you might be able to get the same cat litter as 'bonsai talk' is using. (sweden i think)

You can see the bag in this episode. (13min:15sec)


I use also cat litter, but thats made and imported from denmark. Won't brake down with frost.
Living in the netherlands, where we getting 6/7 months of rain a year.

Akadama is the only soil. Along with pumice and lava rock, it gives the best balance of water and oxygen. Cat litter is risky

Rorror wrote: If your from Scandinavia, you might be able to get the same cat litter as 'bonsai talk' is using. (sweden i think)

You can see the bag in this episode. (13min:15sec)

I use also cat litter, but thats made and imported from denmark. Won't brake down with frost.
Living in the netherlands, where we getting 6/7 months of rain a year.

What is the name of the cat litter you use?

m5eaygeoff wrote: Akadama is the only soil. Along with pumice and lava rock, it gives the best balance of water and oxygen. Cat litter is risky

Not where I live. Constant freezing and defreezing thrue the winter breaks it down to dust in just one season. Those using akadama successfully here have their trees in frost Free greenhouses in winter. I dont have that.

I am also in Scandinavia. Althou Scandinavia is big and have many climate zones. Morten Albeck in denmark used purelly organic soil successfully.