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Tesco low dust cat litter
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Author:  TomB [ 04 Oct 2018, 16:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
Loufada wrote:
If a common recommendation is to mix Akadama, Lava Rock, Pumice and possibly Veolite in various proportions and sizes depending on your tree, would it be fair to assume that CL is rather a substitute for Pumice (and Veolite)?


No, consider the CL the substitute for Akadama as it is closest to that in terms of its properties (pumice is very different to moler clay).
Author:  Gary Jones [ 05 Oct 2018, 08:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
john blanchard wrote:
The Tesco cl holds a lot of water especially in winter when transpiration slows down.


I've found this as well. When it freezes I've had CL rise an inch out of the pot. Not sure that does the roots any favours.
Author:  Paul200 [ 05 Oct 2018, 09:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
For what it's worth (complete amateur here) I gave up using Akadama completely a few years ago due to it breaking down into mush far too quickly. Said mush would then freeze into a solid block given just the slightest frost. My take on it is that Akadama is not suitable for the maritime climate of the areas I have lived (SW England and now SW Scotland). I've been using CL mixed with pumice and some chopped bark since and no longer have a problem.

I had assumed that Pumice WAS Lava Rock and vice versa, but this discussion prompted me to check and, having done that, I now think I'd be better off using Lava Rock rather than Pumice, given the difference in water holding qualities and the seemingly endless damp we experience here. Any thoughts?
Author:  Gary Jones [ 05 Oct 2018, 10:18 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
There's cheap Akadama (goes mushy) and there's good Akadama which lasts a lot longer. By it's nature it breaks down. The structure is cylindrical which allows fine roots to enter, divide and split the Akadama which helps develop the root structure and because roots grow "into" it, it helps keep the rootball solid and reduces the risk of damage at a repot. I use Akadama mixed with pumice and lava for conifers (approx 1:1:1), pines especially, and it seems to work well. Over winter I sometimes loosely wrap pots in plastic bags to keep excessive rain off although with the correct soil mix (draining to the right level) this shouldn't be necessary.
Author:  darreng [ 05 Oct 2018, 11:16 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
Paul,

Your sentence sums it up for me:
>> I've been using CL mixed with pumice and some chopped bark since and no longer have a problem.

My opinion is that results are more important, so if it's working for you, don't change it.
Author:  Penny Ann [ 05 Oct 2018, 14:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
I think it gets a bit confusing when you are only an amateur with little experience, especially if your not a gardener to start with. When one of your trees isn't doing so well the list of possible reasons seems endless. Plus no two trees behave the same way. Bit like bringing up children, it's all a bit of a mystery.. Except you can either off load them or replace them.
For me the list of possible problems can be -
Watering,
Feed,
Temperature
Sun
Wind
Rain
Pot size
Position where they are kept
Wiring
Pruning
Root work
Substrate mix
All the above can either be too much or too little.
I must admit the soil mix is usually the last thing I consider unless it's a new tree, that I haven't repotted.
Author:  Gary Jones [ 05 Oct 2018, 15:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
Penny Ann wrote:
Bit like bringing up children, it's all a bit of a mystery.. Except you can either off load them or replace them.


From time to time I'd like to offload or replace my children. :grin:

For me if a tree's not doing well it's usually because of what I've done to it. Root work is the main thing and then heavy pruning especially when the roots are not at their strongest - one factor in that is the soil mix and especially down to the amount of moisture in it - the main culprit being compost.
Author:  Paul200 [ 05 Oct 2018, 20:25 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
darreng wrote:
Paul,

Your sentence sums it up for me:
>> I've been using CL mixed with pumice and some chopped bark since and no longer have a problem.

My opinion is that results are more important, so if it's working for you, don't change it.


Good point! But I'm always open to a bit of experimentation to try to improve matters. I've gone right off Akadama though - sorry Gary!
Author:  daryl [ 05 Oct 2018, 20:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
Which Akadama have you been using, Paul? I was told that the kind with two red lines on the packaging is the best. Like this..
Image
Author:  Gary Jones [ 05 Oct 2018, 22:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Tesco low dust cat litter
You're right - Double Redline is a good one. You just need to watch out for lower quality brands.
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