AST1000- a new calcined clay product

[Dav4]

Early in my bonsai journey- over 25 years ago- Turface MVP was introduced to me as a viable component of aggregate bonsai soil. In my opinion, it was ok when mixed with lava and pumice of similar size (which was hard to do because the Turface granules are pretty small at around 0.4 to 3 mm diameter) but akadama clearly performed better, particularly in shallow bonsai pots. I continued to use Turface in my grow out mix with composted pine bark and was always happy with the results. Anyway, I ran out of Turface a year or so ago... no big deal since 95% of my bonsai have been in APL for many years.

... But... I'm wanting to try my hand at collecting local species this spring and decided to look for a local source for the Tutface MVP to build into a new batch of grow out soil. That's how I stumbled upon this new, larger grained ( 4.75mm ) calcined clay infield conditioner, made and distributed by Advance Turf Solutions- that was deliberately formulated to be coarser and less likely to compact. I grabbed two 50# bags to start (approx 22$ per bag) but will get more if warranted.

I'm under no illusions that it might replace the akadama in my bonsai mix... nothing that I know of could do that. I do think it'll work really well with coarser organics like pine bark mulch in grow out mixes, and I may try it with some pumice and lava in shallower containers and see whether the issues with compaction and water logging I saw with Turface are still problematic. I haven't screened it, and there is definitely a variation in granule size, but this is what it looks like coming out of the bag.

 

[bwaynef]

The bigger pieces look promising, but looks like you'd lose a lot to the sifting process. Good luck.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Bentonite always rings my bells as it can be either calcium or sodium based. Not sure how to test for it other than taste, and trials with live plants. But if they get the orange blotches, that's bad news.

 

[Dav4]

The bigger pieces look promising, but looks like you'd lose a lot to the sifting process. Good luck.

It'll be interesting to see what remains after I sift for several sizes. Fwiw, my main use for this will be in my organic heavy soil mix in larger nursery cans and mica pots, so I'm not likely to sift for that.

 

[Wulfskaar]

It looks a lot like the TinyRoots deciduous blend I use for some of my trees. They seem to really love it, at least here in southern CA.

 

[Dav4]

I shifted a quart today. I'd guess 20% ended up being the largest particles.



I'd guess 50% remained after sifting to the next smaller size... still large enough to use imo.


The remaining 30% was pretty small but still granular and with little dust.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Whered you buy the 50lb bags?

 

[Dav4]

Whered you buy the 50lb bags?

Advanced Turf Solutions is the manufacturer and distributor. You can go on line and see if they have a location near you or have it shipped but shipping would be onerous unless you were buying a pallet

 

[Orion_metalhead]

2hr drive into connecticut for me, but I do have a trip in february to connecticut so.. theres always a chance I could stop and load up. Ill see how your trials go!

 

[yenling83]

Hey @Dav4, do you have access to pure pumice? I've used Turface and Pumice and found much better results using pure sifted pumice. If I didn't have pumice, I'd order super coarse perlite grade off amazon.

 

[Dav4]

Hey @Dav4, do you have access to pure pumice? I've used Turface and Pumice and found much better results using pure sifted pumice. If I didn't have pumice, I'd order super coarse perlite grade off amazon.

I have a fair amount of pumice but saving most of it for my akadama mixes. Fwiw, pumice isn’t sold locally here (I searched for that first) so, with shipping, it’s much more expensive than the ATS product.


And if I were collecting old junipers, I’d splurge and go the pure pumice route every time.

 

[Gabler]

Bentonite always rings my bells as it can be either calcium or sodium based. Not sure how to test for it other than taste, and trials with live plants. But if they get the orange blotches, that's bad news.

I've never used bentonite. Which is bad? Why is it bad? What are the orange blotches?

 

[misfit11]

Hey @Dav4, do you have access to pure pumice? I've used Turface and Pumice and found much better results using pure sifted pumice. If I didn't have pumice, I'd order super coarse perlite grade off amazon.

Where do you get your pumice, Jeremiah? I used to always get Dry Stall from our local feed store and it was great. They seemed to have recently changed their process, though, and the particle size is tiny now.

The pumice on Jonas' site is listed as unavailable with no availability in sight

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

I've never used bentonite. Which is bad? Why is it bad? What are the orange blotches?

It's not bad per say. They put it in allergy nasal spray and it coats the inside of your nose with clay, which is bad. Because it tastes like glue and smells like glue.
But I digress. Bentonine can come in a calcium form, which is good. Harmless to plants. Bentonite can come in a sodium form, which will poison your plants, which is bad.

 

[Dav4]

Where do you get your pumice, Jeremiah? I used to always get Dry Stall from our local feed store and it was great. They seemed to have recently changed their process, though, and the particle size is tiny now.

The pumice on Jonas' site is listed as unavailable with no availability in sight

I still have 1.5 bags of Dry Stall left from a feed store purchase over a decade ago. It's a perfect size to go with the ATS1000. I've been unable to source any more the last few years.

 

[yenling83]

Where do you get your pumice, Jeremiah? I used to always get Dry Stall from our local feed store and it was great. They seemed to have recently changed their process, though, and the particle size is tiny now.

The pumice on Jonas' site is listed as unavailable with no availability in sight

Many bulk landscaping supply stores have it by the yard in California. There's a place locally here called Air Vol Block that has it for about $100/yard.

Air Vol Block Website:

Bulk Landscape Products - Air Vol Block

Bulk Landscaping. We have over 50 bins of bulk landscape material including bark, decorative rock, sand, gravel, and more. Whether you are a residential homeowner seeking to enhance the beauty and value of your property, or a commercial landscape contractor, we have both the high quality...

airvolblock.com

Here's a spot in the Bay Area, CA I know about:

American Soil & Stone

American Soil and Stone supplies the San Francisco Bay Area professional design community with soils, stone, boulders, terra cotta and garden elements

www.americansoil.com

One note-the stuff Jonas had was a bit less dusty. The pumice I get by the yard, I sift and rinse, but it's super inexpensive this way.


@Dav4 -Maybe give some Super Coarse perlite a shot. You can get it in grades similar to pumice sizes-quite large providing great aeration. I've had great success with super coarse perlite!