Alternatives to akadama

[Ozz80]

For the growing pots, I am looking for a cheaper alternative to akadama . Unfortunately, the smallest pine bark size I can find here is 5-15 mm. Can I use a mix of perlite, clay beads (3-8 mm), zeolite ( 3-5 mm 100 % Clinoptilolite) and coco peat instead of akadama? I will be using them with a mixture of lava rock and pumice.

 

[Shibui]

Congratulations for looking for alternatives. Akadama is used in Japan because it is locally available. It is not magic for bonsai. We should all be looking at locally available materials for potting soils.
Zeolite is good in potting mixes.
Clay beads has been used successfully in potting mixes.
Perlite can be used but tends to be light and often 'floats' out of the soil mix when you water.
Cocoa peat is usually used to retain water. That may be good or bad depending on local climate and how you water.

The best mix will depend on your local conditions and your watering schedules. I'm confident you can make successful soil mixes from any or all of the ingredients listed. I would do some trials to test which mixes are best for you and your conditions. What works for one does not always work for a neighbour.

 

[Ozz80]

Congratulations for looking for alternatives. Akadama is used in Japan because it is locally available. It is not magic for bonsai. We should all be looking at locally available materials for potting soils.
Zeolite is good in potting mixes.
Clay beads has been used successfully in potting mixes.
Perlite can be used but tends to be light and often 'floats' out of the soil mix when you water.
Cocoa peat is usually used to retain water. That may be good or bad depending on local climate and how you water.

The best mix will depend on your local conditions and your watering schedules. I'm confident you can make successful soil mixes from any or all of the ingredients listed. I would do some trials to test which mixes are best for you and your conditions. What works for one does not always work for a neighbour.

Thanks for the reply, I will make trials with them as you suggested, regarding the specific needs of each plant species as well.

 

[BobbyLane]

I have been using hydro leca, seramis granules, pumice, cat litter/molar clay just random amounts with mostly the molar clay. I add a little bit of orchid mix sometimes.
All cheap n cheerful and trees seem happy. Mostly have moisture loving trees Elms, Beech, Hornbeam.

Btw I read somewhere that seramis is a better alternative to perlite.
You can compare them on chatgtp

 

[99 Mile Creek]

Can I use a mix of perlite, clay beads (3-8 mm), zeolite ( 3-5 mm 100 % Clinoptilolite) and coco peat instead of akadama? I will be using them with a mixture of lava rock and pumice.

Absolutely you can. I used to go by a recipe, but as I found replacements for one thing over the other, and accumulated a mix that became indistinguishable, I realized it really doesn't matter too much what you use (within reason).

I recently had some questionable substrate end up in my overflow bin, and I just had to start over. I just play around with the consistency, mark down the measurements, fill bonsai pots with a new mix and water it as a test. What I look for is water not pooling immediately and overflowing but also not passing directly through either. A mix that will take a few moments to build up and begin to pool the water is what I am after. That's the difference between needing to water 3-4 times a day versus 1-2 times a day. It's all about watering your substrate choice PRN.

That said, you can use Turface, calcined clay, or crushed brick/tile, too. But... perlite, clay beads, zeolite and coco peat are absolutely fine if you intend to mix it with lava and pumice. You just need to find the right mix that retains the water you want it to retain. I've found that adding a bit of sand in there (despite reading not to do it) works wonders for a bit more water retention.

 

[Ozz80]

Thanks

Absolutely you can. I used to go by a recipe, but as I found replacements for one thing over the other, and accumulated a mix that became indistinguishable, I realized it really doesn't matter too much what you use (within reason).

I recently had some questionable substrate end up in my overflow bin, and I just had to start over. I just play around with the consistency, mark down the measurements, fill bonsai pots with a new mix and water it as a test. What I look for is water not pooling immediately and overflowing but also not passing directly through either. A mix that will take a few moments to build up and begin to pool the water is what I am after. That's the difference between needing to water 3-4 times a day versus 1-2 times a day. It's all about watering your substrate choice PRN.

That said, you can use Turface, calcined clay, or crushed brick/tile, too. But... perlite, clay beads, zeolite and coco peat are absolutely fine if you intend to mix it with lava and pumice. You just need to find the right mix that retains the water you want it to retain. I've found that adding a bit of sand in there (despite reading not to do it) works wonders for a bit more water retention.

Thanks for the reply. I will do the comparison test as you suggested. That'a good idea!

I have been using hydro leca, seramis granules, pumice, cat litter/molar clay just random amounts with mostly the molar clay. I add a little bit of orchid mix sometimes.
All cheap n cheerful and trees seem happy. Mostly have moisture loving trees Elms, Beech, Hornbeam.

Btw I read somewhere that seramis is a better alternative to perlite.
You can compare them on chatgtp

Unfortunately hydro leca is not sold here, on the other hand seramis is more expensive than akadama (4.500 Turkish Liras for 10 liters which is more than 100 Euros or 115 USD).

 

[BobbyLane]

Yes the seramis does seem quite pricey if bought individually. Its a component in the bag of orchid mix ive bought, you get the bark and seramis in one bag, then ive added that to my soil mixes occasionally.