New Zealand Bonsai Soil.

[Jamie]

zeolite holds a lot of water and stays very wet, i would use it as a mix but not as a sole ingredient, the oil dri sounds like diatomite, if it is about 5mm in size it should be good to use, if its smaller i would put in a crushed granite or something similar as it would possibly compact down pretty quickly, i know some of those oil cleaning products are actually diatomatious earth which is usually a powder form of the diatomite but is no good as it will clog the mix.

[Orion]

I think that oil dri I found is silica dioxide in the form of quartz.... It looks like dessert sand but I felt the inside of the oil-dri and it was in bigger pieces

[Joel]

Hi Orion,

Although i havent been on any international (american based) forums for a few years, Oil-Dri (and Turface)was all the rage when i left. Members were using it straight with very good results. I imagine your climate in NZ is probably closer to theirs than ours is in aus. You should theoretically have good results. I dont believe australia gets oil dri; i havent used it, so i cant promise anything.

Joel

[Bretts]

crystalline sillica quartz sounds very similar to what I found was turface when I was looking it up the other day again.
I agree with Joel I reckon the oil dry could work a treat but yes no guarantee you will have to experiment. Just a driveway warranty. All care but no responsibility. My late wheeler and dealer mates favourite saying
If you want a sure thing you will have to stick with sifted grit and potting mix for now.
Good luck

[gtuthill]

Hi,

I have been able to order Diatomaceous earth from Fruitfed supplies in Feilding. I have a bag on the way, will post again once it arrives

PM me if you want more details

Cheers
Greg

[gtuthill]

Hi,

I am going to be importing Turface in 50lb bags, due in NZ for spring repotting pm me if you are interested in getting some. It will work out to about $40 NZ per bag which is roughly 40L.

Cheers
Greg