Japanese bonsai Pumice? (akadama)

[DaveV]

Hi all,

I recently purchased two bags of Akadama from a bonsai club member. I noticed the bag says "Bonsai Pumice, Soft Pumice for Bonsai". It's from the Nakayama Suishou Nursery in Japan. I don't know why its called pumice ( I know its not), it is a soft akadama. I also noticed it will crumble if you squeeze it between your fingers.

1) Should I be using this soft akadama for my JWP and JBP?


DaveV.

 

[DaveV]

Try it again

 

[tom tynan]

Dave..If you squeeze the granules of soil and they crumble - it is way too soft - do not use at all. I am not sure what you purchased. Try and stay with the haydite, lava, etc. that will not crumble so easily. Lot's of reading available on-line; this site, Evergreen Gardenworks and Walter Pall's website for sure...Tom

 

[meushi]

I don't know why its called pumice ( I know its not), it is a soft akadama.

Technically, Akadama is a soft decomposed pumice... pumice is a class of pyroclastic rocks which includes most of the substrates we use for bonsai: akadama (imaichi pumice), kanuma (kanuma pumice), lava rock, pumice... What is commonly called pumice is just one member of the pumice rocks classification.

Rule of thumb, if it is of volcanic origin and has a density lower than water... there is a good chance that it is classified as pumice.

 

[DaveV]

thanks for the imput Tom and Meushi.