Assuming its an Iron Rich Clay similar to Laterite it may be okay as a component of Bonsai Soil but I couldn't really tell from the description if it was even granular (aquarium Laterite is clay but it is granular and does not desolve redily for many years) in any case, you are best mixing your own soil depending on tree type.

Here is a link that might be useful: Laterite

Clay is the LAST thing you want in bonsai soil. You need porous, large particle stuff, small bark mulch, grit (decomposed granite) and/or that small aquarium gravel (unpainted), etc. that helps the mix drain fast, so trees don;t get root rot sitting in a little pot with a small drain hole. Clay will clog everything up and compact the mix, and then turn to concrete if allowed to dry at all, and your trees will die. You need to do some reading and there's a lot of info. on the net and in bonsai bks.

Tsk tsk. Lucy, I'm betting it's calcined clay. (a similar product to Turface, or the like).

Al

Lucy

Al has been gentle with you :-).

I use a high fired clay in my soil mix. Have used it for many years.

The product is basically oil dri. I've not used it, but know people that do. It's something you can't smash with a hammer, so it's not going to break down any time soon.

randy

Yes, sorry i may not have described it well. It is a smaller grain size than most aquarium gravel and it's calcined clay. Anywho, you all probably have a better source for your mixes. I'm a small-time bonsai enthusiast, so I'm rarely on this site, but I was happy to stumble upon this stuff and thought I'd pass along the info.

regards, Justin

Yeah Lucy, you think Clay is bad in Bonsai you should see just plain clay in an aquarium, water becomes perminantly cloudy and filters get clogged like none other, This stuff is made out of Clay, just like the pot you keep your bonsai in.