Anyone here know the size of Akadama, lava rock and pumice you should you per size of your tree?

[rhawes]

I have been using 3-4 mm size, but just bought medium 8-9mm size and think it is too big for what I want, I have various sizes of trees so anybody know is there some rule of thumb to use? per height or trunk size?

 

[Gustavo Martins]

I use 2-4 mm in all my trees because that’s the sieves I got. I don’t change with tree size.

 

[rhawes]

Thank you Gustavo I think I will just use this large mix for bottom of the pot maybe?

 

[Mikecheck123]

It's dependent on your local climate and watering habits. No one can answer for you.

But the most important thing is uniform particle size. Different sizes is counterproductive.

 

[Colorado]

For Shohin I use approximately 1/16” to 1/8”

For anything larger I will go 1/8” to 1/4”. Whether or not to leave in the 1/16” on these depends on how much water retaining capacity I’m aiming for. I take it out for trees like Ponderosas, leave it in for trees like deciduous.

 

[rhawes]

Ok Thanks All!!!

 

[Mike Corazzi]

Thank you Gustavo I think I will just use this large mix for bottom of the pot maybe?

Careful using it for drainage layer. I think it would degrade and plug up the bottom.
Maybe 50-50 with equal size lava or pumice but I would NOT use akadama as the entire bottom.
(actually I try to keep the stuff from anywhere near the bottom)