Diatomite questions

[Treecollecter]

Hey guys I recently found out that diatomite has silica in it which helps planes to harden new growth quicker than normal is this true and also I use a white diatomite but I have seen a guy which stocked the light brown variety n he says that it's better than the white kind is this true or does this guy just wanted me to buy his diatomite
Thanks guys

[Bougy Fan]

The brown colour would be Maidenwell diatomite which is no longer availabkle due to the mine closing down. The white colour is Mt Sylvia diatomite (sold as Kleensorb)

[kcpoole]

HI treecollector
As bougy says, different mine they come from.
Apparently Mt Syliva has higher PH, but I have never noticed any difference aside form colour in "Real world" use.
I was cleaning up my benches and Bonsai areas today, and stumbled across my original test samples of Diatomite.

When i first started looking at soil replacements 7 or so years ago I was told about Diatomite on European Bonsai forum, and gave me the details of where to get it. It was Maidenwell product and available in Sydney from enfield Produce. I got some and to test, Put a sample in a Jar of water on by bench. My concern was that ( Like lots of Kitty litters) it woud trun to mush with soaking. I agitated the jar weekly and Checked the hardness, and was hapy to say that it stayed hard for ever .

When the Maidenwell mine went broke the first time. I investigated other supplies and found Mt Sylvia. After many emails back and forth re the product and the availability ( I was looking at shipping to Sydney by the pallet). I learnt that Enfield Produce had purchased some and was going to continue to stock it from then on.
I obtained a Bag to compare with Maidenwell and also put a sample in water.

Happy to say, In my pots, and on the benches I could not detect any difference, except the colour, and even that after a season was no issue as it tends to darken anyway.

I took some pics today when I finally chucked out my test samples. I figured that after 7 years soaking in water, if it has not turned to slush, then it never will.
Happy to say that both brands are as hard today as they were 5 or 7 years ago

Ken

[kcpoole]

The last picture above, the base material is a layer of Mt Sylvia diatomite and Castle mountain Zeolite mix I use. It came from a pot when I did little work on an Azalea I have growing in it.

Can you tell the difference in colour?
there is a pile of Maidenwell diatomite on the left and Mt Sylvia on the right. You should ( maybe) be able to make out the pile of grey Mt Sylvia. but really not much different and once it ages almost impossible to tell.

The other concern people have with MT Sylvia is the supposedly high PH. In tests it may well be high but in practice I find it OK for any species.
This Azalea in the attached photos has no issues with it at all

Ken

[kcpoole]

I have been asked about reusing Diatomite. and while pottering today, took some photos of the process.

I put the used mix into and old Baby bath, and wash off with water. Agitate it and the Organic particles Leaves, roots, bark bits, will float out to the surface and the dirt will mix with the water.
Tilt and drain off the dirty water and repeat. Usually 3 times is enough to get the water reasonably clean.

Spread out onto and old Flyscreen door and then hose off and wash out the fines

Allow to dry and then put into store to reuse

Ken

[Grant Bowie]

PH of Maidenwell was 5.5 in our initial test and Mt Sylvia was 6 when we retested it; so no practical diiference and in use it seems the same.

grant

[Treecollecter]

Thanx guys great help I really want to change over to inorganics but I'm really paranoid bout losing my azaleas lol I still like the look of maiden well too bad it's now gone aww we'll anyways thanx

[Bougy Fan]

I preferred the colour of Maidenwell, and also found the 40 litre bags better value. But it is not available so we make do with Mt Sylvia

[Luke308]

PH of Maidenwell was 5.5 in our initial test and Mt Sylvia was 6 when we retested it; so no practical difference and in use it seems the same.

grant

Hi Grant, just wondering how you actually tested the pH of the Diatomite? I have a pH test kit where you can test liquids (little bottle which you fill 3/4 full & add one drop of solution and then shake and compare colour of liquid.) but I would like to test my diatomite to prove to a friend of mine that Mt Sylvia is fine to use for JBP and JWP as he has been told by SAGE horticultural that it is highly alkaline. This could be as they were trying to sell him turface MVP though but that's just me speculating

Cheers
Luke

[Grant Bowie]

Hi Luke,

I have been on the road for three days checking out bonsai for the collection and yesterday I was just not able to go on line at all.

We used the test where you moisten the material, put on the powder and compare the color against the chart supplied.

Not sure how accurate it is but I am sure it is indicative enough.

i purchased a large stock of maidenwell before they went bust so i will have some for the collection and my own use for a few years.

grant

[Luke308]

Thanks for the reply Grant.

I will have to track some down. I wish I had enough foresight to stock up

[Scott Roxburgh]

Thanx guys great help I really want to change over to inorganics but I'm really paranoid bout losing my azaleas lol I still like the look of maiden well too bad it's now gone aww we'll anyways thanx

Have you tried Kanuma? Its made for Azaleas!

[Chris H]

Agree with Scott. Akadrama I can take or leave, it's ok but can be very heavy with water and not dry out enough.

Azalea in Kanuma at my place are doing better than the ones in the ground.

[kcpoole]

Thanx guys great help I really want to change over to inorganics but I'm really paranoid bout losing my azaleas lol I still like the look of maiden well too bad it's now gone aww we'll anyways thanx

Have you tried Kanuma? Its made for Azaleas!

Hi treecollector, I agree with Scott that Kanuma is the stuff to put Azaleas in.
Having said that, I have Them in My Diatomite / Zeloite Mix with no issues at all, but just get better growth rates in Kanuma. Costs about 4 times as much tho

Regardless of what Azaleas are in, the fertilizing is what will kill them. Do NOT use Dynamic Lifter ever!, I have lost a couple and that is the only thing I can pin it on. I now use Neutrog Sudden Impact at 1/2 the rate as my other trees, and supplement with Liquid ferts.

Ken

[lakepipes]

Hi All,

I have used both the Maidenwell and the Mt Silvia product and found them both to be about the same.
Both products will fluctuate in PH slightly.
Even when the product is dug from the same hole you will get a varience. The main real difference is the color.
Lets face it, that will change in no time too once you start feeding your trees.

For all of you in Victoria, I arranged a supplier to bring it into vic for me.
Mt Silvia is avaliable in 35lt bags for about $25 from:
Vitec - 5 Speedwell Street Somerville VIC 3912
(03) 5977 7600
Give Russell a call to discuss your needs.....

He currently stocks 2-7mm but can also obtain 7-15mm if required.

Regards,
Mike