Kanuma for other species?

[badatusernames]

I ran out of my akadama mix for striking cuttings last year, so now I have some black pine seedling cuttings I started last year in kanuma I had laying around.

Any reason for concern for the next year, or should I swap it out? They're still small and I don't really know what's happening with the roots at this time, so I'd prefer to leave them if it's not a big deal. I suspect it's not for the amount of time I'm talking, but figured I'd ask!

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

Kanuma will be just fine

 

[badatusernames]

Cool, thank you for confirming. I figured, but might as well ask! Will keep an eye out for other responses to the contrary but I can't really imagine it's going to be a big deal.

 

[Piedmont Bonsai]

Supposedly the Japanese use Kanuma vs akadama for cutting because it’s softer and roots form better in it. I can’t remember where I read this but I haven’t tried it to confirm for myself. I usually use perlite and peat in various ratios. Usually 3:1

Kanuma is also like akadama in the sense that it becomes a permanent part of the rootball without rotting

 

[badatusernames]

Awesome, thank you!

 

[Deep Sea Diver]

After doing many types of tree cuttings for years, neither akadama nor Kanuma is as good as a peat/perlite or coco coir/perlite mix. The latter mixes hold moisture much better over time and the cuttings grow stronger over time. The issue with these media .is they can breakdown faster, say two years, vs kanuma/akadama do not break down very fast at allwith rooted cuttings.

The advantage of kanuma is it has incredible drainage capacity. In fact it’s extraordinarily difficult or overwater a tree in kanuma.

If one does use either kanuma or akadama, moisture must be monitored frequently. A smaller particle size will help maintain higher moisture retention. Also the cuttings once rooted will need fertilization more frequently than cuttings in a peat/coco coir based media.

cheers
DSD sends

 

[badatusernames]

After doing many types of tree cuttings for years, neither akadama nor Kanuma is as good as a peat/perlite or coco coir/perlite mix. The latter mixes hold moisture much better over time and the cuttings grow stronger over time. The issue with these media .is they can breakdown faster, say two years, vs kanuma/akadama do not break down very fast at allwith rooted cuttings.

The advantage of kanuma is it has incredible drainage capacity. In fact it’s extraordinarily difficult or overwater a tree in kanuma.

If one does use either kanuma or akadama, moisture must be monitored frequently. A smaller particle size will help maintain higher moisture retention. Also the cuttings once rooted will need fertilization more frequently than cuttings in a peat/coco coir based media.

cheers
DSD sends

Understood, thank you!

 

[Glaucus]

As others have said, kanuma and akadama are very similar. They are almost the same type of pumice, mined at the same area, just at slightly different depths.
If you want a deep dive, there's several other threads where these are discussed, together with links to the main Japanese export of Kanuma and Akadama Heiwa and their English site.

Kanuma retains more moisture and is softer thus breaks apart easier. Contrary to some sources, the pH is basically the same or very similar. Kanuma is not a very acidic version of akadama specifically for acid-loving plants.
In most climates, I wouldn't use either for small plants/cuttings. For me, it would dry out too quickly in smaller pot volumes.

 

[alexstanford]

If you want a deep dive, there's several other threads where these are discussed, together with links to the main Japanese export of Kanuma and Akadama Heiwa and their English site.

I can't seem to locate the thread you are referring to here. Can you share the link?

 

[Glaucus]

Introductory soil physics

One thing I would think is that saturation zone goes up with coarse on the bottom so I would thing the saturation zone would go lower. Love this thread. Well done and thanks. Hi c54fun - that's the right idea, but it was fines migration that Davetree noticed. The fines moved down to the bottom...

www.bonsainut.com

Introduction of AKADAMA and KANUMA-TUCHI

Then, we will introduce the state of the mining “BONSAI　SOIL”　"AKADAMA SOIL” and “KANUMA SOIL”.

www.tachikawa-heiwa.com

Harunobu's "Azalea 20-25 Contest" entry

Very thought provoking post above @Deep Sea Diver For the first time this exact thoughts has been on my mind all winter....since I read the books on microbes and fungi. I need to replant all azaleas this spring and they are all in organic soil. They haven't been doing that well in there to be...

www.bonsainut.com

I kinda misremembered. It wasn't 1 or 2 threads were this was discussed in-depth. But this should be enough for a(n unnecessary) deep dive.

 

[alexstanford]

Introductory soil physics

One thing I would think is that saturation zone goes up with coarse on the bottom so I would thing the saturation zone would go lower. Love this thread. Well done and thanks. Hi c54fun - that's the right idea, but it was fines migration that Davetree noticed. The fines moved down to the bottom...

www.bonsainut.com

Introduction of AKADAMA and KANUMA-TUCHI

Then, we will introduce the state of the mining “BONSAI　SOIL”　"AKADAMA SOIL” and “KANUMA SOIL”.

www.tachikawa-heiwa.com

Harunobu's "Azalea 20-25 Contest" entry

Very thought provoking post above @Deep Sea Diver For the first time this exact thoughts has been on my mind all winter....since I read the books on microbes and fungi. I need to replant all azaleas this spring and they are all in organic soil. They haven't been doing that well in there to be...

www.bonsainut.com

I kinda misremembered. It wasn't 1 or 2 threads were this was discussed in-depth. But this should be enough for a(n unnecessary) deep dive.

Thank you!