Natural Cat Litter as Alternative to Akadama?

[joagraha]

Does anyone have experience using natural cat litter (straight fired clay, no scent of other additives) as an alternative soil medium for bonsai? I had read it on a UK-based bonsai forum discussion some time back and wanted to get some input. Given the expense and difficulty in getting akadama, I was hopeful this is might be a real alternative.

adam

 

[milehigh_7]

*Tries to shield Adam from the explosion* Adam, spend a bit of time searching old threads... I promise you will find something about cat litter as well as a few other posts on suitable growing mediums.

 

[Bill S]

Clyde is right wars start over soil questions, there are a lot of alternatives to use for soils, most in the US don't feel kitty litter makes good sense.

Soil is the word to use in the search section to find threads to check out.

Turface, pumice, lava, DE, drystall(pumice) are some of the things used as an alternate to akadama, but they aren't the same.

 

[Dav4]

Don't use kitty litter as a component for bonsai soil in N. America...that's a British/European thing. Research the products mentioned above to find better options.

 

[Tona]

I use approximately 35% oil dry from Napa Auto Parts, 45% Pumace from Osh and 20% Cactus soil from Home Depot or Lowes. I combine them and sift them all together and remove or crush any large wood chips from the cactus soil. It's simple and all of my trees seems to like it. I have mostly conifers but I even have a healthy Manzanita growing in it and budding out everywhere. Oil Dry is cheap. Because of the white color of Oil Dry and Pumice, I usually top dress before any displaying. I live in an area of California that gets very hot in the summer hence the 20% organic.

 

[Klytus]

It may be,for me it involves a three mile roundtrip on my bicycle to and from the pet store,i can look at Gourami and the like whilst i am there.

Akadama involves too much bother.

 

[Poink88]

I probably read the same things about kitty litter and oil-dri when I was starting and started with kitty litter. It (at least the one I tried) turned to mush in no time. Next I tried oil-dri and very happy with it until I read tons of posts saying it is not as good as Turface so I tried that. While the oil-dri didn't deteriorate and are still intact, they do not feel as firm and solid as Turface. Oil-dri also break when I play with them between my fingers hard...Turface doesn't. Now, I only buy and use Turface MVP (sometimes amended with sphagnum moss) but mostly straight 100% w/o sifting.

I never used Akadama just because I have no easy access to it and most likely even if available, I might not be able to afford it anyway.

 

[joagraha]

All...thank you for your thoughtful replies. I get the sense that this is a sensitive subject..soil? I really appreciate the suggested alternatives you provided. It's been much more help than I've received from other forums.

I had heard that diatomaceous earth Oil Dry from Napa is a decent solution and this would also be convenient for me. As for Turface, where would I be able to find that? Any retail chain that typically carries it?

Poink88, I see you're also in Austin. If you know of a place carrying Turface, let me know. Does 100% Turface work for all your tree varieties?

 

[Poink88]

All...thank you for your thoughtful replies. I get the sense that this is a sensitive subject..soil? I really appreciate the suggested alternatives you provided. It's been much more help than I've received from other forums.

I had heard that diatomaceous earth Oil Dry from Napa is a decent solution and this would also be convenient for me. As for Turface, where would I be able to find that? Any retail chain that typically carries it?

Poink88, I see you're also in Austin. If you know of a place carrying Turface, let me know. Does 100% Turface work for all your tree varieties?

I haven't used it on all my plants yet but on all that it is used on, I have no problems and I plan to use it as my primary substrate. I do plan on amending some (depending on three variety) with chopped sphagnum moss. It is just so convenient compared to mixing with bark, granite, etc. I usually buy my Turface from Ewing (irrigation supply) they have 2 locations in Austin that I know...just check here which is closer to you http://www.ewing1.com/

Good luck!!!