Diatomitte, What are the benifits.

[AndrewM]

Hi all

As alot off the information on this forum is relatively new to me i often see diaomite being talked about. Could anyone broaden my knowage about the benifits of useing this product?
Cheers.

[craigw60]

Hi Andy,
This is the closest we have to akadama which is what the Japanese use in their bonsai mix. I have found it to be a wonderful product. it absorbs water opens up your potting mix and is very light weight which is great for large trees. Many people will have different ways of using it. I use the 2-7mm size and mix it with pine bark sieved to a similar grade at a rate of roughly 50 50. Potting mix is always a contentious subject so you will get all sorts of suggestions best work out what works for you.
Craig

[Scott Martin]

Craig, where do you get it from?

[craigw60]

Hi Nitram,
I get it from b & t orchids and ferns in Silvan but the Melb. stockist is sage horticultural in cheltenham.

[AndrewM]

Thanks Craig

The information this forum provides should make my plants happyer and healthyer.

Cheers.

[AGarcia]

Hello Andy,

Diatomite is a good gravel like medium. It has high water absorption qualities, but won't break down in your mix.

It is light weight, so it is good for big pots. Chemically it is silica based, so it is supposed to be good for plant cell structure. On the other hand the dust is quite bad for humans, so try not to breathe it in.

I use straight diatomite for newly collected trees as this creates a moist, but not constantly wet, environment. Just remember to feed it later on.

Can't think of anything else at the moment.

AG

[Jamie]

it its great for feeding trees aswell it releases the nutrients it takes in and the way it does makes it readily available for the tree.

i use it with a mix of standard bosai soil or the likes, diatomite 75-80% soil 25-20% the soil is there just to soften it up a bit pretty much, my trees have never been healthier since i started using it!

jamie