Only if you use 100% diatomite

[The Specimen]

Hi,

I am thinking of trialing this out for several of my specimens and would like to hear from people that has used this in the past.

What results are you getting and is it necessary to water flush it everyday say in the morning?

Also when it comes to feeding, if I just drop pellets.. would this be ok?

[GavinG]

It usually dries out too fast in Australian conditions. I've used 4 parts Diatomite to 1 part coir peat this year, and haven't had to water more than once a day in summer. The only issue was that the diatomite is so light, trees blow over out of their pots in high winds (yes I know, WIRE THE D--N THINGS IN).

Gavin

[kcpoole]

It usually dries out too fast in Australian conditions. I've used 4 parts Diatomite to 1 part coir peat this year, and haven't had to water more than once a day in summer. The only issue was that the diatomite is so light, trees blow over out of their pots in high winds (yes I know, WIRE THE D--N THINGS IN).

Gavin

I use 2/3 Diatomite, 1/3 Zeolite with no organic in it at all.

I find it Holds Moisture as Long a Ray Nescis own mix, and longer than Akadama.

I water daily in winter still and thru summer 2 times a day, but have to do that anyway regardless of mix.

Ken

[The Specimen]

What is zeolite and does it decompose ?

How would you feed the trees?

How long can you keep the plant in there before you have to repot considering dirt will eventually get in and build up?

[Paulneill]

Zeolight is a red material looks like crushed brick . The stuff I have is 3 to 4 mil stones it is porious and will not break down . When using a inorganic mix such as daitomite and zeolight it alows better drainage and air flow and also does not build up dangerous levels of fertiliser and salts so it alows you to fertilise more often . Repot not because dirt builds up but when it becomes root bound in it's pot.

[kcpoole]

What is zeolite and does it decompose ?

How would you feed the trees?

How long can you keep the plant in there before you have to repot considering dirt will eventually get in and build up?

I repot Trees at the same interval and times as any other mix.

"Dirt" does not get in as the watering flushes the mix every time. After a repot, I was the old mix on an old Flyscreen and then let dry before reusing it.

Ken

[Paulneill]

Mix some slow reliease fertiliser pellets to the mix and also use liquid fertilisers depending on the growth you want . You can also use seasol it is not a fertiliser more like a tonic. And also blood and bone is good . For trees with finished trunks I will be using low nitrogen fertiliser to try and keep growth compact with close internodes . But for trunk building use high nitrogen fert for faster growth . Watered in once a week or fortnight alternating different types of fert to ensure max nutrition . Stop feeding if the tree is not growing the more it grows the more u can feed. There is a lot more to it read up and learn npk and there values.

[The Specimen]

Thanks guys!

I gather from this that using normal Dynamic Lifter pellets alone is not enough for the trees as I had thought.

Would worm juice be any good?

Cheers