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Originally Posted by sweety
They all use Akadama which is rather costly around here so I was looking for something else I could use instead
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Hi Sweety, too bad right!
Like someone already made mention of how well the elm accepts soil. Cat litter is much cheaper than Akadama. When you want to use it, you have to make sure it is hard enough to sustain its form in the pot (you should soak it in the water for 10-15 minutes, then use your thumb and index finger to crush it and see how easy you can grind it. If it is too soft, it 's not good). I don't use cat litter but I use pumice (its character is same as cat litter -absorbing the water and other)-turface (llike hard Akadama but much cheaper)- fine fir bark ratio: 1-1-1 and my elm really fine. Oh, I live in the area with very hot dry in the summer and cold in the winter.
I think you can try cat litter(inorganic)- coarse sand (inorganic) - fir or pine bark (organic). Ratio? if you think it too wet in your area, then you should reduce the organic part. If too dry, then increase organic part. Any way, we learn bonsai from others' experience but also have to put in our trial because no one will know your area (talking about microclimate ) better than you. Good luck. Bonhe