This Japanese maple belongs to Mariusz Folda. I don't know if Mariusz also made the pot, but based on what I've seen of his ceramics, I wouldn't be surprised.
Yesterday’s post on Mariusz Folda’s Shimpaku serves as lead in for today’s comments by Mariusz on his soil mix, and more specifically on the uses and limitations of Akadama, the most famous and widely used imported Japanese soil.
Here’s Mariusz’s quote on Akadama in its entirety…
“I look after some bonsai that are very old, like a very old Fagus crenata (Japanese beech) or an old Carpinus koreana (Korean hornbeam). I repot them into IBUKI Sieved Bonsai Substrate of: Akadama/Pumice/Lava ‘large 6.5-7mm’
In this case I know that the old trees may stay in the substrate for 5 to 6 years and the akadama must stay in a good shape. That is why in those cases I fire it in the ceramic kiln.
Continued below…
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abd
Mariusz Folda's medium soil mix: Akdama/Lava/Pumice/Zeolite 30/30/30/10 size 4.5-5mm.
Mariusz continued from above
“I use only the best hard brand Ibaraki akadama for IBUKI Sieved Substrate but sometimes I must double make sure, cannot take any chances. Lava and pumice will be ok for sure after many years but akadama can become very very dangerous once it gets out of shape, becomes mud and prevents the roots from breathing and the dump environment deep at the bottom of the big pot cannot be seen.. the roots slowly die.
We all know this can be a serious problem and many great trees are not around because of that.”
Repotting the Japanese maple (shown above), with Mariusz's IBUKI Sieved Bonsai Substrate mix: Akdamam/Lava/Pumice/Zeolite 30/30/30/10 size medium 4.5-5mm.
Our Spring Bonsai Soil offering
is all bagged & ready to ship
Akadama Japanese Bonsai Soil
Kamuna Japanese Azalea Soil
Lava & Pumice for mixing your own
& a Japanese favorite…
Aoki blended volcanic soils
Here's an example of Mariusz's ceramic mastery with his caption: "Today I received a photo from Nik Rozman with his outstanding juniperus in IBUKI pot. I still smile ;) Thank you Nik for sharing. Cheers mate"
For more on Mariusz Folda’s bonsai and ceramics (his soil too) you can visit his IBUKI Studio Bonsai & Ceramics on facebook
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