In spring of 2007 I have recieved several bags of Chabasai, the new bonsai substrate from France to test it.
Now, after one vegetation period I have the first results. In my garden I repot around 300 or more high quality bonsai every year.
I have extensive experience with all sorts of substrate since many years: soft akadama, hard akadama, pumice, lava split, baked clay and many other similar products. So I should be in a position to judge the usability of chabasai, which is on the basis of zéolithe. I must add, that I have not done a real scientific test, but only a practical one. I have potted 20 bonsai in this substrate, 10 conifers and 10 deciduous trees. As with all such substrates I have added 10 to 15 % of rough peat.
Six months later I can say that all trees survived and all trees are in good to very good condition. Compared to trees planted in baked clay, lava split or pumice they look just as healthy or better. I do not use akadama as it decomposes and is way too expensive.
At the moment my feeling is that I would use Chabasai for all my bonsai if I had it available here. Maybe a mixture with other substrates could be helpful.
I prefer Chabasai any time over akadama.
Walter Pall, October 2007 |
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