Kanuma

[Starfox]

Hey all,

Just curious if there is any point in adding some Kanuma to my soil mix. As I understand it it is extremely good for acid loving plants such as azaleas and what not but is it acidic enough to damage other trees?
I mean they say things like Maples, Callistemon, Banksias and many sub tropical species prefer a slightly acidic soil so is it worth chucking a few handfuls in to my mix, individual tree habits taking into consideration first that is?

I have been searching for regular pumice but to no avail yet it seems like everywhere I turn I can find Kanuma so I know I can get hold of it easy enough.
Would it perhaps go some way to countering high ph from the tap water even?

Does anyone use it in this way and what if anything have they noticed?

[kcpoole]

I only use Kanuma on azaleas so not sure about anything else sorry
I would think it should be fine as a component in a blend tho, but as always, teston a few unimportant trees first

Ken

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[treeman]

According to my data, Kanuma pH averages about 6 therefore it is no more acid than any standard potting mix available on the market. So with regards to it's acidity, it can be used for practically anything. Having said that, why would you bother using it? You can get equal results using high quality standard mixes. I challenge anyone to tell the difference between a plant grown in kanuma vs one grown in say bark nuggets and diatomite or bark and sand, or pumice and bark, or sand, loam and peat or diatomite and milled sphagnum moss etc.
If you have problems with hard tap water, you can ensure acidification by using fertilizers with a higher ammonium (or urea) to nitrate ratio.

[kcpoole]

Having said that, why would you bother using it? You can get equal results using high quality standard mixes. I challenge anyone to tell the difference between a plant grown in kanuma vs one grown in say bark nuggets and diatomite or bark and sand, or pumice and bark, or sand, loam and peat or diatomite and milled sphagnum moss etc.
.

All of my Azaleas do better in Kanuma than anything else to such a degree I will keep importing it myself.

I assume that is why Arthur Robinson started importing to Australia initially.

Ken

[Starfox]

Thanks guys for the replies.

According to my data, Kanuma pH averages about 6 therefore it is no more acid than any standard potting mix available on the market. So with regards to it's acidity, it can be used for practically anything. Having said that, why would you bother using it? You can get equal results using high quality standard mixes. I challenge anyone to tell the difference between a plant grown in kanuma vs one grown in say bark nuggets and diatomite or bark and sand, or pumice and bark, or sand, loam and peat or diatomite and milled sphagnum moss etc.
If you have problems with hard tap water, you can ensure acidification by using fertilizers with a higher ammonium (or urea) to nitrate ratio.

Well like I said I am only considering it as it is readily available, I can pick it up as well as akadama at half of the the garden centres I go to so there is the whole convenience thing.
Plus most of the plants I have all say they prefer slightly acicdic soils, presumably they don't need as much as say azaleas but then again if if it is around 6ph then maybe it is a moot point.

Think I will test it out like Ken says, I have two little Bougies that are quite similar so I will put one in a Kanuma, Moler Clay(Sanicat Pink), chopped bark mix and the other without the Kanuma. Might even pick up a third little Bougie and go for a straight Kanuma mix.
I like the idea of a bit of an experiment.

[kcpoole]

.
I like the idea of a bit of an experiment.

Yep that is what i did when starting out with different mixes ans substrates, 2 or more of each tree in each mix and compare the results over a few years eventually

Ken