AusBonsai

Mojo Moyogi wrote: The method of soil component testing that Harry describes above, is a fair bit more exhaustive (and no doubt effective) than the often quoted on AusBonsai (flawed) "put it in a jar with water, give it a shake and leave it on a window sill" which I was taking aim at in my previous post.

aha Ok I'll bite as i seems to a very pointed comment directed at me .
Yep I have kept a jar of diatomite on the bench for several years ( just to see what happens) and guess what? Still as good as the day it went in
Take that for whatever its worth, but it interesting

To reiterate your point, putting it in water for 2 days, then in the freezer is more exhaustive is it than just soaking for a week and seeing how it responds? who are you trying to kid?
As it never gets cold enough to get anywhere near to freezing in Sydney, I reckon that is about a pointless as driving over it with tractor to test its hardness!.
In many parts of the world, (and even in Oz), Testing substrates for freezing performance might be useful, but not here where I am.


as Bougy mentioned (and Harry Refers to in your quote), the first test is to soak, If if the substrate passes then go and do further testing if you wish ( as I have done many years ago), but as I alluded to, with the suspect batch of Diatomite from last year there is no need to proceed further as it failed miserably.
If you deem that to be

at best a flawed test.

then that is your prerogative. Just do not stand on some self imagined pedestal and pronounce judgement as if that it only opinion that matters.

I'd like to add that I have been growing bonsai since 1996, working in both ornamental and food production horticulture since 2001, as a Landscape Designer, Manager of Horticultural Operations, Growing Technician, did a rewarding stint as hired gun for a well known Melbourne bonsai nursery and have had plenty of getting hands dirty roles as well. I currently look after almost 1000 bonsai and pre-bonsai in varying stages of development.

I would like to add that people who the sort of comment above, just try to impress the masses with their worldly experience and knowledge.
Personally I like to show off my work to back up my comments on the site, where on the other hand you have been asked many times over the years to show your trees and work but sadly without success.

Ken

kcpoole wrote:

Homer911 wrote:Did you get yours from Enfield Ken?

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Yes
that is the only supplier in Sydney that i know that sells it

Strange...... did you return the dud bach? I can only presume that the rest of their stock would be exactly the same, so no need replace it.

Looks like i will have to use something else for my substrate.

Homer911 wrote:

kcpoole wrote:

Homer911 wrote:Did you get yours from Enfield Ken?

Sent from my SM-G900I using Tapatalk

Yes
that is the only supplier in Sydney that i know that sells it

Strange...... did you return the dud bach? I can only presume that the rest of their stock would be exactly the same, so no need replace it.

Looks like i will have to use something else for my substrate.

No the sample of the dud batch was sent to me to compare.
I purchased 3 bags in about August and they only had 1 pallet so assume it all came from the same batch from the mine. Each bag was the same.

Have you soaked it? when I did it felt similar to the original supplies I had where the dud batch after a day readily squished like clay between thumb and fingers.

I am adding Pumice to my mix as well now to provide diversity to the mix so suggest that.
Obtained from Lux Cuttings in Sydney

Ken

Ok peeps. It's getting a little heated.
I'll add my .

Have any of you actually used the "dud batch" of squishy diatomite?
I procured mine in around June, and noticed it was softer than usual, and yes I could squish it between my fingers. But, I figured once it was in the pot, there were no fingers to squish it with, and that the objective was to create permeability in the medium.
Then, I also remembered this video by Boon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM1my_PvbxY
Have a look at around 5:40.

So, I thought bugger it, and went ahead and used it anyway. Carefully potted up, and so far so good.
No detrimental effects during this year's growing season, and drainage/permeability as good as ever.

wrcmad wrote:
So, I thought bugger it, and went ahead and used it anyway. Carefully potted up, and so far so good.
No detrimental effects during this year's growing season, and drainage/permeability as good as ever.

that is Interesting and quite awesome news and great feedback. Be good to see what the state is like after a year in the pot, Please update us when you repot too
I feel the same about the current supplies too, Although not as hard as the original supplies, I feel it is still a great substrate.

Ken

wrcmad wrote:Ok peeps. It's getting a little heated.
I'll add my .

Have any of you actually used the "dud batch" of squishy diatomite?
I procured mine in around June, and noticed it was softer than usual, and yes I could squish it between my fingers. But, I figured once it was in the pot, there were no fingers to squish it with, and that the objective was to create permeability in the medium.
Then, I also remembered this video by Boon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM1my_PvbxY
Have a look at around 5:40.

So, I thought bugger it, and went ahead and used it anyway. Carefully potted up, and so far so good.
No detrimental effects during this year's growing season, and drainage/permeability as good as ever.

Yeah, it is good to hear. I'll pot up some seedings and see how they get on.

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Hi Mate,
wrcmad wrote:
So, I thought bugger it, and went ahead and used it anyway. Carefully potted up, and so far so good.
No detrimental effects during this year's growing season, and drainage/permeability as good as ever.

I did use it after sieving all the powder out & now will possibly have to re-pot some, due to the compaction occurring at soil level. Some pots now a white clay dust that it very slow to penetrate with watering. I now immerse these pots from time to time to ensure the centre of the root ball is getting some.

Regards,
Black Knight