Akadama (赤玉, Akadama?) the name of which comes from the Japanese words for red and ball, is a naturally occurring, granular clay like mineral that is used as soil for bonsai trees and other container-grown plants.
Akadama
Red Ball Soil is the literal translation from Japanese. This type of soil is large grained and not at all powdery. This is what is found in Japanese gardens because of the volcanic activity.
Akadama, otherwise known as 'red clay soil', is now widely available, is manufactured in Japan and is graded by particle size (fine, very fine and standard).
Akadama: Classic Japanese Bonsai soil meaning red clay balls. Imported for Japan , this volcanic soil has been used for thousands of years by bonsai artists on most types of deciduous bonsai trees.
Akadama is a white Japanese clay, specifically produced for bonsai; it is normally only available from bonsai nurseries so can be difficult to buy.
Akadama is Japanese baked clay, specifically produced for bonsai and imported into the West; it is normally only available from bonsai nurseries and therefore difficult to locate.
Akadama (Aka dama tsuchi)
Classic Japanese Bonsai soil. Simulates the volcanic material of Japan and assists in establishing the water content of the soil as it changes color as it dries out.
Akadama (Aka dama tsuchi)
Type of soil normally used for bonsai. It is very porous with excellent moisture retention.
Ara kawa sho ...
Akadama Japanese Clay Granules
Kanuma Japanese Clay Granules
One of the most controversial topics in the bonsai-world.
Akadama, a white Japanese clay, is the most commonly used fine-quality inorganic material used by expert bonsai artists throughout Japan. But it can be hard to obtain in the US and UK. Seramis is often used as an alternative.
Japanese Akadama soil
Secondly, you must use the right type of soil. Your bonsai tree is totally dependent on the small amount of soil in its pot to provide all the moisture and nutrients that it needs to survive.
Japanese Akadama
Bonsai Soil Mix for Tropical/Subtropical
Bonsai Soil Mix for Conifer and Deciduous ...
The Mining of Akadama and Kanuma
A Blackberry Thumb, and Shaping My Junipers
Do You Feed Through The Leaves?
Akadama - a traditional Japanese bonsai soil that is comprised of the red volcanic matter of Japan; used for thousands of years by bonsai artists on most types of deciduous bonsai trees.
4. Apex - the very top or highest point of a bonsai tree.
5.
Remove the top centimetre of soil and replace with finely sieved Japanese Akadama clay. The soil should be level with the sides of the pot, mounding up slightly to the buttress ...
A good general purpose mix for Conifers is 1 Part Akadama to 1 part Pumice, for Decedious Broadleaf Species is 3 parts Akadama, 1 part Pumice, 1 part Bark Chips.
Mix akadama, fine gravel and potting compost together in a ratio of ½ to ¼ to ¼. Akadama can be bought at (online) Bonsai shops, while you can find fine gravel and potting compost at local garden centers.
If however you have access to someone who stocks either 'Akadama' or 'Kanuma' clays then you are well advised to use them.
A good mixture is akadama and pumice mixed 50/50. Younger trees may enjoy more grit and older ones more akadama. Akadama by itself is a good mixture as it drains well.
Using only unstable inorganic amendments such as clay baked to much less than vitrification, akadama, etc. creates a soil that may not last as long as it needs to for some plants, although it is usually fine for two or three years.
Japanese Bonsai Soil Akadama
Price: 11.95
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Varieties such as akadama, or "red ball" soil, and kanuma, a type of yellow pumice used for azaleas and other calcifuges, are used by many bonsai growers.
For those who prefer an Akadama, pumice and lava rock soil mix, you should fertilize with an organic feed, such as Whitney Farms 5-5-5 Organic feed, mixed with pelleted fish meal.
If you tend to over-water trees then use a nearly inorganic mix such as red lava, chicken grit, decomposed granite, akadama, or even properly sized gravel.
Some artists omit the organic component entirely, preferring to fertilize manually, in such cases a soil such as akadama is used.
 See also: Bonsai, Growing, Species, Pruning, Garden
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