AusBonsai

Bretts wrote:What I wrote was straight forward and honest Mojo. You and others can take it anyway you like.

Brett, I don't think for a minute that what you wrote was anything other than your honest opinion. I was trying to do was seperate the facts from the raw information, so Owie and other reading this thread have the correct advice and are able to make an informed decision on these products. I can't speak for the others, but my intention was not to be critical here or to deny you the right to have an opinion.

Cheers,
Mojo

Thanks Mojo/and Bretts.. it takes guts to point out to people that assumptions are exactly that. This forum will be taken in many different ways by its members. And we are all vulnerable when taking advice from our fellow members, on topics we are unsure about. There is a fine line between what "we think" and what "we know".. and Mojo,I agree with what you in what you say.. "unless we have proven evidence to back up our statements on these threads, maybe we should test our theories in our own backyards first, before voicing them to the vulnerable that are listening for some direction.

No worries Mojo
All I can do is call it as I see it and I do try to be as honest as possible. I am more experimental with what I use mostly out of necesity. Some times I freak myself out with what I try so I do try not to miss lead people.
Ken the Mt Sylvia diatomite I have I think is much whiter than maidenwell even when wet. I was thinking the yellow from owies pic was from the yellow background.
Just a thought Ken but are you sure the wet stuff you show is not maidenwell. The bags of mt sylvia you got for me I don't remember it changing colour like that so much? I'm sure mine stayed white as in owies pic. I will have to have a closer look when I get home.

mugen wrote:Hi all i have been using lavalite as an alternative to richgro aquatic mix because the big B ran out of the richgro aqua mix. As far as i can tell it's pretty much the same stuff just a lot whiter have potted up into a mix made with it with no ill affects so far the test will be in a years time when repotting to se if it holds together.

Richgro aqua mix was another that changed what it contains. Used to be spongelite (Think Grant Called it that, not sure where he got that as the bag does not state what it is) (Years past Ken and I thought it was Diatomite as it looks very similar) But changed to what now looks like the white diatomite in a smaller bag. Not sure though as I have avioded the smaller bags it now comes in but have been buying up all the old package bags from Bunnings whenever I see them. The old Richgro aqua mix or "spongelite" is one that I think Grant's tests showed has a high pH so may be best used as a part mix with organic material. I have used it once last season as a 100% mix and it showed signs of nutrient issues later in the season. Not sure if a more agressive fertiliser routine would help but found it works great mixed with organics mostly replacing the grit.

We do need to remember that even minerals of the same name can have different properties when mined from different locations. I learnt this years ago when the first zeolite I got hold of was white in colour and more chalk like and less rock like than the red/brown zeolite that we all know. God it was on a wing and a prayer back then before Ray started stocking the zeolite we use today. The guys as Chastlemine zeolite instructed me that the white zeolite was a few million years younger than thiers The white zeolite seemed to work ok but it has been years since I had a supply of that from the local mine supply store which was an oil soaker agian. And it was not cheap!

I bought this stuff recently...it crumbles easily, if that matters to you.

Just source Mt Sylvia or Maidenwell, it is not worth the price.

The old method of if you have proven it pass it on if you have not be quite, till you have proven it. Then pass it on I have said many times your trees are the best judge of a good potting mix.

I have always put the welfare of my trees above cheap substitutes, of any of the substrate components used. When I started bonsai many moons ago

I read the late great John.Y Naka's book techniques 1and followed that mix over the many moons. I have changed it 3 times to suit my trees my climate and my schedule.
I have found this to be very good for my trees and me, no analysis other than my trees grow well are healthy and disease free.
Have never used maidenwall, one time I did do an analysis was to get three products with different names and sold as different for use.

Kitty litter versarock and supersorb. All came back with the same chemical and mineral break down. 1 sold for $5-00 for a 50litre bag the other for $ 25-00 for 20litres.
have not used it.
Cheers, Pup

Bretts
I am sure that is mostly Mt sylvia, as it does have some light brown in it. tho it may well have some Maidenwell thrown in too as I just mix and recylcel everything together now

Ken

Cheers Ken I will get back to ya after I have a good look at what I have next week.

Hey Pup, I think there is nothing wrong with bouncing around what we have found so far. Are we not always learning. Even the most learned of us. ( I love that word "Learned" I am still not sure if it is a real word ) Perpetual learners
I know others that speak of new materials they are only just starting to use and it would be pretty boring and non-progressive if we had to use something for 10 years before we can talk about what we have found so far.

I have been using all soughts of substrates for about 5 years now and funnily enough I have found no issue with anything that has passed a 24 hour soaking in water. Although I never started using any of these at 100% until a couple of years ago and now find that some seem to have pH issues when used this way.
Some have found trouble with using chandlers kitty litter saying that it breaks down to quick. I have heard the same thing siad about akadama. We where told to be very carefull not to compress akadama when potting up and I found it can crumble pretty easy when it is wet. I still don't know why some others have trouble with chandlers as I find it holds up great for at least 2 years but I would advise agianst using it at 100% as I think it will cause pH issues, although I am still mucking around with it at 100% in certian circumstances to trial a hunch I have.

Sorry for spelling mistakes I am missing my spell checker

hi everyone im curious to know what you are paying for your diatimite as ive found a place that sells the stuff online and delivers. they are selling the stuff for $21 for a 35l bag and want to know if this is good or bad. thanks
heres a link for anyone interested http://www.petandgarden.com.au/browse/d ... dID=128065

I emailed Maidenwell earlier in the week, a 40 litre bag is $11.00 (+gst) and freight cost.

Hi Ray
Did you go as far as working out the courier as in the past (years ago) Maidenwell would not organise a courier and any courier I contacted was either not intrested or very expensive?

Hi Bretts,

I work in Brisbane, as a purchasing/warehouse/logistics manager, so I have access to a few different courier companies, just didn't get the time to investigate it this week. They did have a company that they suggested to contact, but as we get special rates with a few of my suppliers, I'll check my options first.

Sorry fellas, I know somewhere in this thread is the answer to my question... but ... where in Melbourne might I find a supplier of Maidenwell Diatomite?

Sounds promising Ray. I believe Maidenwell changed hands so maybey they are better with thier customer logistics than years past. Most courier companies I call don't want to know you unless you have an "account" Maybe being in the business you could shed some light on this?
I believe Canberra Club is getting some in this year so I may be ok but please let us know how you go.

siddhar wrote:Sorry fellas, I know somewhere in this thread is the answer to my question... but ... where in Melbourne might I find a supplier of Maidenwell Diatomite?

Sorry siddhar


Sage Horticultural
121 Herald St Cheltenham

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&sa ... CBgQ8gEwAA

There is also a orchid or fern nursery in Silvan or Monbulk, in the Dandenong Ranges, Jarrod knows the place I believe.

Cheers,
Mojo

Bretts wrote: Sorry for spelling mistakes I am missing my spell checker

If the spelling thing bothers you, you could try Google's Chrome browser, I used it on my old PC and it has an inline spellchecker that works on AusBonsai.

Cheers,
Mojo