100% Diatomite?

[kvan64]

Some of us have used it here with varying degrees. Firstly let me say there is nothing better for a plant to recover in after severe root work or collection.
The issue for us down here is it dry's out too fast in summer, so i dont reccomend it for growing on. i have used on pines and banksia's no prob.

Thanks for the warning, I won't use 100% for growing on then as It could get very warm here in Brissy in summer time. Will adding sphagnum moss or other additives solve the fast drying problem?

[Grant Bowie]

Some of us have used it here with varying degrees. Firstly let me say there is nothing better for a plant to recover in after severe root work or collection.
The issue for us down here is it dry's out too fast in summer, so i dont reccomend it for growing on. i have used on pines and banksia's no prob.

Thanks for the warning, I won't use 100% for growing on then as It could get very warm here in Brissy in summer time. Will adding sphagnum moss or other additives solve the fast drying problem?

Melbourne can get hotter and dryer than Brisbane, but usually not for very long.

Conversely

Brisbane doesn't get as hot as Melbourne but is much higher in humidity and stays warmer much much longer.

We all need to recognise that Australia is a very big country with different climatic conditions and we need to tailor our potting mixes to suit our macroclimate, microclimate and watering/work habits/compulsions.

Grant

[Grant Bowie]

Yes I also would like to know what are all the tree species that people have used 100% diatomite with, " without looking up old threads/posts. I know you can use Figs, how about, Swampys, liquidambars, willows, elms, maples, cleos, celtis, azaleas, pines, junipers, natives.How about an elimination process, someone good at spreadsheets could do up something, if they had all the info, save doing constant threads/posts, if I was given the relative information, I am fairly good at spreadsheets, so I would do it, maybe a lot of things could be put together in a spreadsheet for all to make use of as reference points, the world is at our feet
Serious what about we organize a special group to gather info, should I start another thread/post so as not to interfere with this one ?? What are your thoughts ....this time of night zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
James

Great idea about spreadsheet and gathering of info. Please go ahead with my blessing!

Once I have done my basic tests on raw product people can then use the raw info to tailor their mixes from available product in their area and use more/less water retentive; heavier/lighter product; smaller/larger particle size to help drain/hold water etc.

grant

[Bretts]

Adding sphagnum moss will solve the problem. When I make a new mix I often add spag moss to the top and just add more if it is drying out too quick for my liking.

[Glenda]

I have used 100% diatomite on some of my plants - figs, elms, gmelina arborea (duck-foot beechwood) bouganvillea =. None have looked back - but my camphor laurel doesn't like it. Camphor laurels like wet conditions. I love the diatomite because here in the tropics we get torrential rain for weeks on end - and none of the plants suffer for it.

Glenda

[dayne]

i use it 100% for collected and heavy root work trees as ant said theres nothing better but i wont use it 100%for long ill switch to my usual 70%debco and 30% diatomite up here its not so much the drying out but it stays wet for far too long over our wet season and if we get a wet spell that can last for a month or so any time of the year the trees drown shannon and some others have had the same trouble up here so weve all switched to using it as a recovery mix not a potting mix

[Bretts]

With the right granual size straight after watering Diatomite has enough air in the mixture so how can it possibly stay too wet?

[dayne]

because it absorbs so much water and holds it and it just dosnt dry out up here

[kcpoole]

Howdy all, just wondering if anybody knows where I can buy some diatomite? I live on the central coast of NSW, near Gosford.

G'day corko, it would be worth trying your local Produce stores and of course Garden or Nursery Supplies.

Dunno about Maidenwell these days, but give the guys at mt sylvia and email and ask them who supplies where you are.
http://www.mtsylviadiatomite.com.au/

Ken

[Bretts]

It holds the water inside the granules which does not decrease the air in the pot. In fact recent tests have shown that the water absorbing properties of Diatomite means it has more air in the pot than a medium that absorbs less water. Watering from above it does not even have a water table.
Not saying you don't have an issue it just does not make sense that the Diatomite is causing it!

My understanding is that as soon as Diatomite is watered it is at a healthy water air ratio for the roots and therefore it is impossible to over water.

I would think the 70% debaco mix would have a higher water table than pure diatomite.
Like I said just doesn't make sense

[dayne]

if it holds water it reales water what goes in must come out and it is more about the roots not getting any dry time as it is constanly releasing water its like watering a normal mix every 30 seconds

[Bretts]

There may be more water in the Diatomite mix but there is also definatly more air. The water is held inside the granuales thus the roots are sitting in a higher air ratio in the diatomite mix than in the debaco diatomite mix.

Think of it this way. if I was to water these too mixes after a short amount of time if I tilted the two pots the debaco diatomite mix would show water that is held at the bottom of the pot(water table) Tilt the diatomite pot and it loses no more water. (no water table)
This is why I can not understand a tree in 100% diatomte could be over watered. To me it seems the perfect example of a mix that can't be over watered.
See the picture I believe the Debaco diatomite mix on the left will have a higher water table in constant rain. The diatomite mix on the right may even hold more water but as the water table is lower it should be a healthier medium in constant wet.

pots1.jpg

[Jamie]

i know what dayne is getting at, with the constant rains we get up here that can last for days non stop it can cause the diatomite to stay quite wet for a long time, i generally leave my trees out but when it rains like that for so long i wedge them up to aid in drainage or ocassionally i bring them in under the house to give them a break. you have to remember brett even though diatomite has a great air ratio, when a trees root system fills the pot it creates more surface area for the water to stick too, therefore increasing the water table too

its not just the medium that helps create a water table, the amount of roots and how dense they are also are contributing factors

jamie

[anttal63]

Some of us have used it here with varying degrees. Firstly let me say there is nothing better for a plant to recover in after severe root work or collection.
The issue for us down here is it dry's out too fast in summer, so i dont reccomend it for growing on. i have used on pines and banksia's no prob.

Thanks for the warning, I won't use 100% for growing on then as It could get very warm here in Brissy in summer time. Will adding sphagnum moss or other additives solve the fast drying problem?

Yes as Grant has pointed out, its not all about temperture but humidity. So for you guys could be a great thing. Grant is right in saying our severe heat may not be long but none the less it is still hot enough and dry enough for alot of the growing season, mixed with the wind we get down here not good. the organic substates i add are to retain moisture longer in these conditions but there are limits to not enough or too much too long. Each and everyone of us will be different according to our own micro enviro's. Therefor you need to be conciencious to moniter and try things. good luck DK!

[Bretts]

Yes that's a good point Jamie. But constant rian non stop is going to keep any medium wet. I still have trouble believing that the Diatomite would not be healthier than a mix that is mainly debaco.
If you compared solid gravel to diatomite in this situation with roots filling the pot. Both mediums would still only have the same amount of water to use before the air water ratio was acceptable. (Remember any extra water the Diatomite holds over the gravel is inside the diatomite) But I think the compaction of a 70% debaco mix would make it perform worse than both these mediums in constant rain. The pore size would have to be smaller and hence it would have a higher water surface tension holding a higher water than air ratio.

It's pretty simple Antonio just add more or less Spag moss.