Origin and Composition
– Akadama is a horticultural product developed in Japan.
– It is formed from volcanic rocks and pumice accumulated near volcanoes.
– Japan has rich volcanic resources due to volcanic activity.
– Akadama is one of the two soils developed based on these materials.
– The other soil is called kanuma.
– The components of akadama include silicon dioxide (SiO2), calcium oxide (CaO), magnesium oxide (MgO), manganese oxide (MnO), iron oxide (Fe), and aluminium oxide (Al).
– The percentages of these components vary, with silicon dioxide being the highest at 42.7%.
– Akadama has a pH of 6.9 and a conductivity of 0.052 ms/cm.
Sizes and Uses
– Akadama is available in different sizes: fine, small, medium, and large.
– Fine size ranges from 1-3mm, small size ranges from 4-7mm, medium size ranges from 7-14mm, and large size ranges from 15-25mm.
– Akadama is used in the cultivation of plants.
– It can be used alone or mixed with other soil substrates such as lava rock, pumice, stone, peat moss, and bark.
– Akadama is supplied in various sizes, including Shohin (less than 1/16 inch), Small (1/16 inch to 1/4 inch), and Medium (1/4 inch to 1/2 inch).
– All sizes are suitable for many potted plants, but Shohin or Small size is preferred for cactus and succulent plants.
– Akadama is considered a versatile soil amendment for plant growth.
Benefits
– Akadama is prized by many growers for its ability to retain water and nutrients.
– It provides porosity and free drainage, allowing roots to breathe.
– The color of akadama darkens when moist, indicating the need for watering.
– It is a natural, granular clay-like mineral that is surface-mined and sifted.
– Akadama can be combined with other elements like sand, composted bark, peat, or crushed lava to create a growing medium.
Criticisms
– Some bonsai growers find the cost of akadama to be prohibitive or unnecessary.
– In cold and wet climates, akadama granules may break down into smaller particles that inhibit drainage, which is undesirable for bonsai soil.
– To avoid this problem, sand or grit can be incorporated into the soil mix.
– The deeper-mined, harder grades of akadama are less prone to breaking down.
– There are differing opinions among bonsai growers regarding the suitability of akadama in certain climates.
Miscellaneous
– Akadama is one of the two soils developed in Japan, with the other being kanuma.
– Akadama has a conductivity of 0.052 ms/cm.
– Akadama can be combined with other elements like sand, composted bark, peat, or crushed lava to create a growing medium.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akadama
