AusBonsai

Actually try this site:

http://www.accenthydroponics.com/ecom1/prod1112.htm - 4/8mm

the other one provided would be good for drainage - 8/16mm

actually thinking about it i might fire off a question to see if the bags contain a range from 4mm to 8mm pellets or a set size in two i.e. either 4mm peelets or 8mm pellets. I would think probably the former.

Cheers

Scott.

I bought a bag of this two years ago.
I am down to the last of it. I have the round balls wich I am not that keen on. Maybey it was doing a good job? It just seemed to have little good going for it in a Fast draining soil. I class it as a space waster. I may try the irregular shaped one though I would not be that enthusiastic. Maybe other members will have better results.

I too have been using a similar product...

Here is what it looks like: - And here is a mix I used a couple of days ago to pot up some natives and a couple of Azaleas: - 25% Diatomite
25% Expanded clay
25% Crushed gravel
25% premium potting mix

Regards,
Steven

Hey Steven, what is that product marketed as? It looks surprisingly like Bauxite. I have a bag of this and I have used it with no apparent ill effect.

Jon

Hi Jon,

I purchased it from Bonsai Environment in Sydney and he referred to it as "Chinese Akadama".
It appears to be the typical expanded clay used in hydroponics just in a smaller size.

Regards,
Steven

AusBonsai wrote:Hi Jon,

I purchased it from Bonsai Environment in Sydney and he referred to it as "Chinese Akadama".
It appears to be the typical expanded clay used in hydroponics just in a smaller size.

Regards,
Steven

How much did it cost Steven? Have you tried it straight?

Gah, how did i not see this product already? Ive been there occasionally and haven't seen it before. *sigh* i wish i had a car...

JayC

It looks like you found it before I could say try the Hydroponics, people they have a lot of different products. Just make sure it is not of uniform shape.
Good luck with it Pup

Pup wrote:It looks like you found it before I could say try the Hydroponics, people they have a lot of different products. Just make sure it is not of uniform shape.
Good luck with it Pup

This is the stuff that Hoy Leong Kwong uses. I would say you can get it from his nursery.
Bonsai South Nursery 114-116 The Boulevarde Caringbah NSW2229 email bonsouth@bigpond.net.au hope this helps

JayC. wrote:How much did it cost Steven? Have you tried it straight?

$12 for 10 ltrs. He had smaller grade which was about 3 to 4mm diameter.
I have tried it straight and not had any adverse effects. It's not better but not worse either than a 'traditional' mix. I did get a lot of moss building up in the mix however.

Steven

Pup wrote:

Pup wrote:It looks like you found it before I could say try the Hydroponics, people they have a lot of different products. Just make sure it is not of uniform shape.
Good luck with it Pup

This is the stuff that Hoy Leong Kwong uses. I would say you can get it from his nursery.
Bonsai South Nursery 114-116 The Boulevarde Caringbah NSW2229 email bonsouth@bigpond.net.au hope this helps

Any reason it should not be of uniform shape?

Scott Roxburgh wrote:

Pup wrote:

Pup wrote:It looks like you found it before I could say try the Hydroponics, people they have a lot of different products. Just make sure it is not of uniform shape.
Good luck with it Pup

This is the stuff that Hoy Leong Kwong uses. I would say you can get it from his nursery.
Bonsai South Nursery 114-116 The Boulevarde Caringbah NSW2229 email bonsouth@bigpond.net.au hope this helps

Any reason it should not be of uniform shape?

Uniform shape is not good for root development. Also it is more likely to compact therefore become impenetrable which is not good. Pup

Scott Roxburgh wrote:Any reason it should not be of uniform shape?

I have also heard this before from several sources too.
The sharp edges tend to make the roots divide which causes finer roots to develop.

Ken

Hydroton looks and sounds very much like the cat litter which I spoke of above.
If anything is sold as bonsai specific the price always rockets, hence the sagacity of buying something for cats to defeacate in.

Interesting thing I found on maidenwell.
I have heard some people don't like it because it doesn't release the moisture it takes up.

Scott Roxburgh wrote:Jay and Ken,

Funny thing...I have recently (last night) come across the same sort of product. it is called Hydroton. there are quite a few suppliers in Aus by the look of things. Just search: Hydroton Clay.

see this site:

http://www.accenthydroponics.com/ecom1/prod352.htm

50L bag for $40.00 and $11.00 shipping to my house, I am ordering some as we speak!

Looks promising!

Let me know if you guys try it out.

Cheers

Scott.

It is good but doesnt come in a small enough grade...sadly cause it is good...but not as good as diatomite in my opinion.