In response to Bern's question
"Does anyone use as a soil amendment a clay fired kitty litter that is
similar to Akadama in their potting medium that is available in the USA?"

I have not tried the fired clay and here in California pumice and scoria
are reasonably priced and work well for me. So this a tangent, not an
answer.

Recently I did some online research what growing media are used by two
other specialty growers that might apply to some of our bulbs that need an
airy fast-draining, long-lasting, water holding medium: growers of Lithops
and Bonsai. Apparently they have more time to video and post to YouTube
than us species bulb from seed growers. Akadama looks promising, although
expensive, so I can see why you are looking for an alternative. The fired
clay spherical pebbles look interesting. I have not tried Turface. Turface
looks cheaper but gets mixed reviews from Bonsai growers. Has anyone tried
those?

Watching all those YouTube views of others' growing conditions I realize my
successes may be due more to dry-summer wet-winter moderate temperatures
and sunlight with breeze but not too much wind than to any particular
practice of mine. I grow everything outdoors. Others are growing under
lights in a basement or windowsill.

Gastil
Overthinking all aspects of bulb growing
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