Sakadama Akadama Substitute, 3-5mm, 5L

What Sakadama is

Sakadama is an akadama substitute: a hard granular clay with water retention similar to akadama but a harder structure, so it holds its particle size longer in the pot.

How it compares to akadama

Akadama softens and breaks down over a few seasons, and that breakdown is usually why an old mix stops draining. Sakadama behaves like akadama around the roots, holding moisture and nutrients while staying open, but it resists breaking down, which stretches the time a mix stays free-draining. If you already grow in akadama, you can substitute Sakadama in the same ratios.

Which grade to choose

This medium 3-5mm grade is the general-purpose size for most trees and pot depths. The large 5-8mm grade suits bigger trees, deeper pots and bottom drainage layers.

Which trees it suits

Use it straight for deciduous trees such as maples and elms, or mix it with pumice and pine bark for a free-draining all-round bonsai soil. For conifers, add kiryuzuna to run the mix drier.

How much a repot needs

As a guide, a 20 × 15 × 6 cm pot takes about 2 litres and a 30 × 22 × 8 cm pot about 5 litres, so one 5 litre bag repots a medium tree or several small ones. The fill table above lists more sizes.