Been looking everywhere for some Akadama and so far no one has any in stock anywhere.
What can i use as an alternative and where can i get it in Sydney??
Akadama seems to be impossible to get.
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Re: Akadama seems to be impossible to get.
Might wanna PM Ken (kcpoole)
He should be able to sort you out, particularly in Sydney.
He should be able to sort you out, particularly in Sydney.
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Re: Akadama seems to be impossible to get.
Here's a link to Ken's last post offering Akadama.
[url][/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=23689&p=253711&hil ... p253711url]
[url][/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=23689&p=253711&hil ... p253711url]
http://shibuibonsai.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Akadama seems to be impossible to get.
I could suggest -
5 mm silica based gravel [ we get it from a sand blasting company or can sift it in nature ]
aged compost ----------- compost that has sat in a covered barrel kept just moist - so the weeds germinate and in
the darkness die.
also -
5 mm crushed red earthenware building block -------- you can sift at a brick yard or hardware.
As the compost ages it glues itself back into, a roundish shape, and improves drainage whilst going
inorganic. Next stage is to return to metal oxides [ Ca0 and so on ....]
BUT continues to hold water / fertiliser in solution.
I have used this mix since the 1980's and some years ago opened the 30 year old trees, to check
their soil cores. No fattening of roots was observed and in fact all that was noted was fine roots.
Our climate is Dry Season [ no rain ] from December / January to May / June.
Wet the rest of the months.
So repotting takes place 2nd January until April / May.
The tree in that time period masters the soil and the rains that follow have no effect on the roots health.
It is a simple soil mix, and handles all trees well.
The limits are - compost holds 20 times it's weight in water.
So you use it at a max of 3 parts to 7 parts inorganic. By shovel or volume.
For a thirsty tree - e.g. Tamarind ------ you can replace up to half of the gravel with the red brick.
I don't believe in using soil components that will break with root growing - e.g perlite..
Laters,
Tambrand.
5 mm silica based gravel [ we get it from a sand blasting company or can sift it in nature ]
aged compost ----------- compost that has sat in a covered barrel kept just moist - so the weeds germinate and in
the darkness die.
also -
5 mm crushed red earthenware building block -------- you can sift at a brick yard or hardware.
As the compost ages it glues itself back into, a roundish shape, and improves drainage whilst going
inorganic. Next stage is to return to metal oxides [ Ca0 and so on ....]
BUT continues to hold water / fertiliser in solution.
I have used this mix since the 1980's and some years ago opened the 30 year old trees, to check
their soil cores. No fattening of roots was observed and in fact all that was noted was fine roots.
Our climate is Dry Season [ no rain ] from December / January to May / June.
Wet the rest of the months.
So repotting takes place 2nd January until April / May.
The tree in that time period masters the soil and the rains that follow have no effect on the roots health.
It is a simple soil mix, and handles all trees well.
The limits are - compost holds 20 times it's weight in water.
So you use it at a max of 3 parts to 7 parts inorganic. By shovel or volume.
For a thirsty tree - e.g. Tamarind ------ you can replace up to half of the gravel with the red brick.
I don't believe in using soil components that will break with root growing - e.g perlite..
Laters,
Tambrand.
"We grow our Bonsai for Beauty, not for produce or lumber."
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Re: Akadama seems to be impossible to get.
Thanks but i already asked kcpoole. He said he's out of stock for a few months.Ryceman3 wrote:Might wanna PM Ken (kcpoole)
He should be able to sort you out, particularly in Sydney.
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Re: Akadama seems to be impossible to get.
My preferred mix is a blend of akadama, pumice, and diatomite.Dylanesguerra wrote:Been looking everywhere for some Akadama and so far no one has any in stock anywhere.
What can i use as an alternative and where can i get it in Sydney??
When I can't get akadama, I use a blend of pumice, diatomite, and mini pine-bark nuggets. If more water retention is needed, I will sometimes even add a small portion of Debco plugger to this blend.
All can be sourced in Sydney.
Last edited by wrcmad on March 20th, 2018, 5:12 am, edited 2 times in total.
- kcpoole
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Re: Akadama seems to be impossible to get.
As far as I know Akadama is akin to "Unobtanium" here at the moment as the previous supplier in Perth has run out and did not import any more
After searching around, I have just received Quotes on a container load of Akadama and Kanuma, and costs shipping thereof and will be bringing in to Sydney myself in due course
The bigger issue at the moment I have been advised buy the supplier that due to a unseasonably cold winter in Japan, no Akadama has been mined and will not be available for another 3- 4 months still
Stay tuned and I will update everyone when I have more info but Unless the moon falls, I will have some later in the year
Ken
After searching around, I have just received Quotes on a container load of Akadama and Kanuma, and costs shipping thereof and will be bringing in to Sydney myself in due course
The bigger issue at the moment I have been advised buy the supplier that due to a unseasonably cold winter in Japan, no Akadama has been mined and will not be available for another 3- 4 months still
Stay tuned and I will update everyone when I have more info but Unless the moon falls, I will have some later in the year
Ken
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Re: Akadama seems to be impossible to get.
New stocks arrived today Just before Chrissy
PM or call me to get yours before the holidays so you can put soem under the tree
Ken
PM or call me to get yours before the holidays so you can put soem under the tree
Ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries