Author Topic: Natural Cat Litter as Alternative to Akadama? (Read 17221 times)

John Kirby · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:52 AM »

Actually another, unrelated conversation with a Bonsai Professional from Japan, has led me to think about planting certain types of trees in 100% "river sand", my fear is that I haven't shrunk the pot size on some of the trees that might thrive in that media to where I and a friend might be able to carry them..... But who know.

On the other Front, just bought another couple of hundred bags, with blending and the relative reduction in tree numbers without a "nursery" anymore, that should get me up in to my 70's. Unless I croak from Silicosis from so much sifting and using dry mix.....

MatsuBonsai · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2012, 08:10 AM »

Don't forget to wear a mask, and put me in your will.

John Kirby · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2012, 08:23 AM »

John, you are in my will. You get to sit in the chair with the spike.

MatsuBonsai · « **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2012, 09:07 AM »

Gee, thanks.

Was this a Weetree, Cass, or Peter sale?

nathanbs · « **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2012, 09:34 AM »

Quote from: John Kirby on April 12, 2012, 06:04 PM

The first shipment was seized because it had roots/plant matter in it. It was headed to Oregon, I expect the next shipment will be clean. Let's see.

I dont think they are capable of removing the plant matter, they are not set up for it. In addition it was always believed to be high fired which could/would kill in microorganisms, it is not. Did you really buy 100 bags of akadama? If so great move.

@Al thanks for the further education on akadama and calidama cation exchange, didnt know that about the need for an acid. My comment regarding calidama is that currently if Glenn is the only one supplying he couldnt sustain the entire interested N. American bonsai demand without substantial further investment. And I think think any of the local nurseries down here currently have any in stock.

John Kirby · « **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2012, 09:39 AM »

100 bags of akadama and200 bags of premix. My next five years xmas presents.

nathanbs · « **Reply #21 on:** April 13, 2012, 09:56 AM »

@John WOw! $$$ whats premix?
@Al, the other thing you mentioned was particle size, that was another topic of our discussion with Ryan. Too much air is a bad thing. In the heat of summer large air cavities + moisture can equal bolied roots. I just had this happen to me this last summer. He adamantly suggests no larger than 1/4", he recommends from 1/16"-1/4", only eliminating the smaller particles as needed to dry up the mix a little.

Yenling83 · « **Reply #22 on:** April 13, 2012, 11:31 AM »

Quote from: John Kirby on April 13, 2012, 07:52 AM

Actually another, unrelated conversation with a Bonsai Professional from Japan, has led me to think about planting certain types of trees in 100% "river sand", my fear is that I haven't shrunk the pot size on some of the trees that might thrive in that media to where I and a friend might be able to carry them..... But who know.

I hear about River Sand alot and don't know what it is exactly? John-can you import it or is there something similar over here? Is it just grit-like crushed granite or larger sand? Did this Bonsai Professional in Japan explain why he felt 100% was good? And for what type of tree or what situation? thanks

Allen · « **Reply #23 on:** April 13, 2012, 06:08 PM »

Plain and simple there are some cat litter's and a NAPA oil dri product that can be used in place of Akadama. I use to go this route due primarly to the price of akadama. In all reality by the time you run these other product thru the screens to seperate size you end up with alot of unusable product. Therefore resulting in not alot of savings.

The cat liter is the cheap stuff sold at walmart it is the same as the NAPA product. It is called Diatonacious earth, something like that. I have read that you can use the "unusable product" mixed with water for aphid control.

I use Akadama.

akeppler · « **Reply #24 on:** April 13, 2012, 07:56 PM »

Quote from: nathanbs on April 13, 2012, 09:56 AM

@John WOw! $$$ whats premix?
@Al, the other thing you mentioned was particle size, that was another topic of our discussion with Ryan. Too much air is a bad thing. In the heat of summer large air cavities + moisture can equal bolied roots. I just had this happen to me this last summer. He adamantly suggests no larger than 1/4", he recommends from 1/16"-1/4", only eliminating the smaller particles as needed to dry up the mix a little.

I would suggest watering more. I have extended periods of heat for up to a month or more at a time of temps at or above 105 degrees. There are periods when it is still 102 degrees at 2 AM. I don't get the nighty cool off that Southern Cali, can get. I actually only water once a day at 3:30 PM seven days a week.

My exposure of larger particle size came via Kenji Miyata after moving here from the North East. Just don't tell those hydroponic guys about too much air being a bad thing, California's only sucessful cash crop my be in jeopardy with that kind of info

John Kirby · « **Reply #25 on:** April 13, 2012, 08:39 PM »

Just repotted Water Elms with 3/4 inch pumice below, the coarse soil really works for coarse growth. Check out Peter Tea's blog to see how he is using a coarse mix.

nathanbs · « **Reply #26 on:** April 13, 2012, 10:24 PM »

Quote from: akeppler on April 13, 2012, 07:56 PM

Quote from: nathanbs on April 13, 2012, 09:56 AM
@John WOw! $$$ whats premix?
@Al, the other thing you mentioned was particle size, that was another topic of our discussion with Ryan. Too much air is a bad thing. In the heat of summer large air cavities + moisture can equal bolied roots. I just had this happen to me this last summer. He adamantly suggests no larger than 1/4", he recommends from 1/16"-1/4", only eliminating the smaller particles as needed to dry up the mix a little.

I would suggest watering more. I have extended periods of heat for up to a month or more at a time of temps at or above 105 degrees. There are periods when it is still 102 degrees at 2 AM. I don't get the nighty cool off that Southern Cali, can get. I actually only water once a day at 3:30 PM seven days a week.

My exposure of larger particle size came via Kenji Miyata after moving here from the North East. Just don't tell those hydroponic guys about too much air being a bad thing, California's only sucessful cash crop my be in jeopardy with that kind of info

I think the hydroponics are being done indoors eliminating any of the risks we have outside.

akeppler · « **Reply #27 on:** April 13, 2012, 11:51 PM »

Drive on up to Fresno, you can load up a pallet of calidama and I can show you acres of outdoor hydroponics. They have been busted twice (2009, 2011), over 50 acres under shade cloth and Eric Holder has made sure they get released from prison before the fingerprint ink dries. Wonder where that cash is going?

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8276673

nathanbs · « **Reply #28 on:** April 14, 2012, 11:33 AM »

i stand corrected.

Larry Gockley · « **Reply #29 on:** April 14, 2012, 12:19 PM »

Quote from: akeppler on April 13, 2012, 11:51 PM

Drive on up to Fresno, you can load up a pallet of calidama and I can show you acres of outdoor hydroponics. They have been busted twice (2009, 2011), over 50 acres under shade cloth and Eric Holder has made sure they get released from prison before the fingerprint ink dries. Wonder where that cash is going?

http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=8276673

Wow , 50 acres of medical marijuana ! Must be a lot of sick people in Calif.!

Author Topic: Natural Cat Litter as Alternative to Akadama? (Read 17221 times)

John Kirby

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MatsuBonsai

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John Kirby

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MatsuBonsai

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nathanbs

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John Kirby

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nathanbs

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Yenling83

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Allen

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akeppler

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John Kirby

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nathanbs

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akeppler

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nathanbs

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Larry Gockley

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