bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - The Water absorption of 4 Bonsai Soil Types

My Conclusions?

I am somewhat disappointed by the Seramis. I had expected it to retain more water than it did. I do find the light weight an advantage in larger pots. I am still convinced that a combo of Akadama and Seramis would provide a well draining soil with a long lifespan.

The fact that Seramis does not break up in the soil means that it will not provide any clayminerals, something that can be fixed by mixing with Akadama.

My main issue and something that I’ve never seen addressed here, is the simple fact that clayminerals provide important nutrients, and any high-fired clay-product will probably not provide them to the soil.

I think a 3:2:1 ratio of Akadama, Seramis, light peat or pinebark (organics) should provide a longlived and suitable soil for most plants. Mix in some lime to neutralize the PH if necessary.

Kiriyu is really not worth the trouble imho, it is expensive and has little added value exept for its color maybe. I’d replace the Kiriyu in you mix with a cheap gravel, and adjust the ratio of my mix a bit.

I did note that the Kanuma was much lighter than everything else, weighing a third of the Akadama and Kiriyu and only half of what the Seramis does at the same dry volume. It was terribly crumbly and soft though.

I had originally bought the Kanuma for a potted azalea of mine, but doubt that I’m going to use it, if it really breaks down as fast as it seems.

I think I’d mix Akadama and peat, or stretch the Kanuma with Akadama and Seramis to increase the lifespan of the mixture. My Azalea has been standing on Seramis and peat for a year, and is loving it.

All these mixtures are quite expensive, and I would like to have a light and fluffy mixture for those 30-40L training containers. Something in the direction of pottingsoil/peat and 1-2mm aquarium gravel. Maybe quite heavy, but cheap. Perlite seems not available here on retail.

A 20L pondbasket full of Akadama and Seramis is more expensive than most of the mallsai available in the average garden center here.

…

Stefan

6-Mar-2006	#3
node bonsaiTALK Master Craftsman Join Date: Apr-2005 Location: The Hague Country: Netherlands USDA Zone: 8/9 AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 653	My Conclusions? I am somewhat disappointed by the Seramis. I had expected it to retain more water than it did. I do find the light weight an advantage in larger pots. I am still convinced that a combo of Akadama and Seramis would provide a well draining soil with a long lifespan. The fact that Seramis does not break up in the soil means that it will not provide any clayminerals, something that can be fixed by mixing with Akadama. My main issue and something that I’ve never seen addressed here, is the simple fact that clayminerals provide important nutrients, and any high-fired clay-product will probably not provide them to the soil. I think a 3:2:1 ratio of Akadama, Seramis, light peat or pinebark (organics) should provide a longlived and suitable soil for most plants. Mix in some lime to neutralize the PH if necessary. Kiriyu is really not worth the trouble imho, it is expensive and has little added value exept for its color maybe. I’d replace the Kiriyu in you mix with a cheap gravel, and adjust the ratio of my mix a bit. I did note that the Kanuma was much lighter than everything else, weighing a third of the Akadama and Kiriyu and only half of what the Seramis does at the same dry volume. It was terribly crumbly and soft though. I had originally bought the Kanuma for a potted azalea of mine, but doubt that I’m going to use it, if it really breaks down as fast as it seems. I think I’d mix Akadama and peat, or stretch the Kanuma with Akadama and Seramis to increase the lifespan of the mixture. My Azalea has been standing on Seramis and peat for a year, and is loving it. All these mixtures are quite expensive, and I would like to have a light and fluffy mixture for those 30-40L training containers. Something in the direction of pottingsoil/peat and 1-2mm aquarium gravel. Maybe quite heavy, but cheap. Perlite seems not available here on retail. A 20L pondbasket full of Akadama and Seramis is more expensive than most of the mallsai available in the average garden center here. … Stefan __________________ Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform. - Mark Twain Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right. - Isaak Asimov The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. - Bertrand Russell