Is it possible to use cat litter for bonsai soil?

[Paradox]

The fragrance is no problem, that's easily washed away and doesn't harm the trees.
The stuff I use doesn't have a clumping agent.

Youre in the Netherlands. Brands in Europe are different than most American brands that have all kinds of other stuff besides clay in them and are not high fired.

Some European/UK brands can be used. Most NA brands can not

 

[Pitoon]

If it's calcined it might work, but if you want to go on the cheap a bag of 8822 or monto clay would work just fine.....they are tried and tested.

 

[Bnana]

The Tesco low dust cat litter was probably also not available in the US. I think most of maybe all suitable cat litter in EU comes from Denmark. Importing it in the US doesn't make much sense although people do import Akadama and Biogold from Japan.

 

[Clicio]

I use it here in some of my mixes, it's pure DE. Called Tidy Cats in Brazil.
Holds moisture and doesn't break down.
We have at most two or three frosts per year, so I don't know what happens in other areas.

 

[Crazy Diamond]

I use it here in some of my mixes, it's pure DE. Called Tidy Cats in Brazil.
Holds moisture and doesn't break down.
We have at most two or three frosts per year, so I don't know what happens in other areas.
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You use red roof tiles or bricks for substrate? I think you guys call it caqueira de telhas

 

[Clicio]

You use red roof tiles or bricks for substrate? I think you guys call it caqueira de telhas

Yeap, caqueira from red roof tiles.

 

[ajm55555]

Exactly what I was going to recommend. Within hours you nnormally see this stuff fall apart. Here I know of only 1 brand that uses rocky-materials, instead of dried clay.

And that is? Thanks @leatherback

 

[leatherback]

And that is? Thanks @leatherback

Linda Molar, a Dutch brand!

 

[ajm55555]

Linda Molar, a Dutch brand!

Do they have a web site? I can't find references on Google...

 

[Crazy Diamond]

Yeap, caqueira from red roof tiles.

I use it too!! I saw you guys in Brasil and Argentina use it and since its free I gave it a try and works great

 

[leatherback]

Do they have a web site? I can't find references on Google...

this stuff: https://www.willemsedierenvoeders.nl/kat/kattenbakvulling/linda-kattenbakvulling-moler-20-ltr

 

[FinnLakk]

This is pure DE

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@Cofga this is what I've been using. I was under the impression it was molar clay. I have never seen DE in person but I thought it was a lot more white?

Photo of sanicat wet and dry(mostly):


No experience with akadama yet other than a young maple I bought from Herons and I have only just potted a tree into zeolite so I can't provide an accurate comparison. However the cat litter seems a lot more durable, will break under enough force with your nails but not as soft as akadama or the zeolite.

The roots definitely grab onto the Sanicat but I haven't witnessed any growing through yet as I've heard they do with Akadama.

 

[Fonz]

this stuff: https://www.willemsedierenvoeders.nl/kat/kattenbakvulling/linda-kattenbakvulling-moler-20-ltr

I'm using that stuff for 5 years now (only with trees that don't go to workshops with professionals) and my trees do absolutely great in it.
If you say you use diatomateus earth people are like: "oh, cool, where can I get that?". If you say you use cat litter you get laughed at.

 

[leatherback]

I'm using that stuff for 5 years now (only with trees that don't go to workshops with professionals) and my trees do absolutely great in it.

I am confused. Why only with trees that do not go to workshops?

I have all my trees in this with some other construction gravel. My teacher hates the substrate, but has commented that my prunus mumes develop as they would Japan, so I must be onto something.

Too many people that have NOT tried this, that have an opinion. I choose to just ignore them.

 

[Clicio]

Too many people that have NOT tried this, that have an opinion.

That seems to be a recurring issue on the bonsai fora across the internet.
Parroting each other infinitely.

 

[ajm55555]

this stuff: https://www.willemsedierenvoeders.nl/kat/kattenbakvulling/linda-kattenbakvulling-moler-20-ltr

Linda Moler ;-) Thanks!

 

[FiestaRed]

Following up on the cat litter theme, can I ask those who use it what other components do they add to it to complete their mixes?

 

[Mikecheck123]

Every so often someone posts about the kitty litter issue and says they are going to experiment. I have yet to hear any positive reviews.

Cats love it!

 

[leatherback]

Following up on the cat litter theme, can I ask those who use it what other components do they add to it to complete their mixes?

I have a material called blahton, which is expanded shale / broken into a fine gravel which is very lavalike, and pinebark as my other 2 main components. Over the last years I have found a good source for pumice and have been using that more and more in there too.

 

[FiestaRed]

I have a material called blahton, which is expanded shale / broken into a fine gravel which is very lavalike, and pinebark as my other 2 main components. Over the last years I have found a good source for pumice and have been using that more and more in there too.

Thanks for the help. Really appreciated. The pine bark is readily available in the UK but I’ll need to do search for the Blahton.