AusBonsai

Hi Grant

I'll keep the forum informed as to the health or otherwise of my trees, but three weeks on, all my trees are looking better than ever.

I hope i dont have the same outcome as Gavin i can tell you!!

I'll do a search on the forum to locate the posting.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5978&p=102319&hilit=Gavin#p102319

here it is.

hi Stewart,

Things down here stay wet, cold and dormant for a long time so your conditions are very different.

Each climate will probably need a slightly different blend of components for best results.

Grant

I believe that shortly after I did my tests last year, and potted trees in it, Rich-Gro changed their aquatic mix, so that if your medium is white-ish, not brown -yellow it is (drum roll) diatomite!! Maybe send some photos to confirm. Three of my test trees pulled through, but one looks to have carked it - a red dissectum seedling. Bodhi said they were dodgy anyway.

There is the possibility that the spongalite broke down in Canberra with the heavy frosts this year.

Best of luck.

Gavin

Thanks for that Grant, I remember reading the ph test info on Mt Sylvia Diatomite that you did (I also noted that you were not sure if you mixed up the types of diatomite for that specific ph result). I do believe Ken and others that state they have no ph issues when using Mt Sylvia, but I also would prefer to stick with Maidenwell if possible just because it was serving me so well! I only wish I too had stocked up on the product but I didn't forsee this happening.
The ph differences between the two do make sense to me though as Maidenwell is mined from an area that has had fresh water access (cleansing it), and Mt. Sylvia not so re fresh water....or something to that affect...can't nb exactly
Cheers, Dario.
PS. Melbourne has gone from lovely spring weather to winter in the last couple of days...wind, rain etc...it is also ever so dark during the day time Oh well, four seasons in one day and all that...

Yes Rich-Gro changed their aquatic mix and it now looks like Mt sylvia diatomite. That is a great pity as I found the spongelite fantastic in my mixes and not sure where it comes from. I currently have several tridents in a 100% mix for the last two years and they are going great.
I found that it had not broken down over several years.
I do prefer not using anything at 100% but a mix as well as at least some organics. I save spongelite for my most prized trees as it works so well.

Oh wow , I've just re-potted all of my trees into Aquatic mix with coco-peat and zeolite from just a regular potting mix with gravel. I had done my research ( so I had thought) that it was the next best thing to Diatomite. I could get Mt Sylvia diatomite, but I avoided it from what I had read on the forums due to a high Ph level (which was confirmed by the guys at Hydro-World). I have just emailed richgro to find out exactly what their product is and where it is from. I must say that is is a creamy-brown colour when you open the bag, but once it is wet is is quite white. I'm guessing this is Diatomite?
I will post the reply from richgro when and IF I get one.
Luke

With regards to the mt syliva/maidenwell discussions and pH levels, I have a few azaleas in it and the particular trees are really healthy. One in particular that wasn't so great before is now better than ever
It is a personal thing, I know, but I use mt sylvia for a few reasons. It is cheap, readily available (5 minute drive from my house), and works really well. Have not sued it straight, but interested in potentially trying. I agree about the colour though. Pure white isn't a good look.
Maybe soak it in seasol haha ?!?!

NathanM wrote:With regards to the mt syliva/maidenwell discussions and pH levels, I have a few azaleas in it and the particular trees are really healthy. One in particular that wasn't so great before is now better than ever
It is a personal thing, I know, but I use mt sylvia for a few reasons. It is cheap, readily available (5 minute drive from my house), and works really well. Have not sued it straight, but interested in potentially trying. I agree about the colour though. Pure white isn't a good look.
Maybe soak it in seasol haha ?!?!

Hi Nathan.
Interesting your Azalea results are similar to mine.
The supposed high PH is a phurphy I reckon.

I use Seamungus or Neutrog sudden impact as a surface fert on all my trees, and have found that the White Diatomite discolours to a brown quite quickly. After reusing it several times ( wash and Dry first). It is now a nice brown colour.
Even so, just top it off with gravel of choice for display

Ken

I rang Maidenwell today, the news is not good. Doesn't look like they will be re opening anytime soon either from what Gary had to say.

I managed to source a company in Brisbane that has a bag or two left, well maybe only a bag now... He will be stocking Mt Sylvia as an alternative, I've ordered myself a bag of each to try.

http://www.productivegardens.com.au is the link for anybody interested in obtaining some in the Brisbane area. disclaimer, I have no affiliation with this company, just passing on a source of supply.

Hi Ray
Depending where you live the cheapest source of Mt Sylvia I have found is Redcliffe Produce where it is only $13.60 a bag. I prefer the colour of Maidenwell but find the Mt Sylvia to have a lot less dust and more consistent particle sizes.

Tony

Bretts wrote:Yes Rich-Gro changed their aquatic mix and it now looks like Mt sylvia diatomite. That is a great pity as I found the spongelite fantastic in my mixes and not sure where it comes from. I currently have several tridents in a 100% mix for the last two years and they are going great.
I found that it had not broken down over several years.
I do prefer not using anything at 100% but a mix as well as at least some organics. I save spongelite for my most prized trees as it works so well.

Not sure if this is the same stuff as in rich-gro's old product, but the particle size looks about right, and it is spongelite. look down the bottom of page (under safety equipment if it takes you to the product page) http://www.plasticsplus.com.au/004.html

Maybe someone in WA can verify?

It sure looks the same as the spongelite in Richgrow aquatic mix. I noticed some one put this link up the other day. It is good to know that we can get it somewhere at least. I wonder how close to the original source they are and if the mine is in WA?

hi guys
how do you use this diatomite or richgro stuff and what do you mix it with, if a person can only water once a day will it retain enough moisture in a hot adelaide summers day ,sorry for the silly questions but am just starting out on this path
regards
peterb

Hi peter.
I use it 2/3 diatomite, 1/3 Zeolite and find that my plants wilt less in this mix than a commercial Organic based Bonsai mix.

do some tests yourself to confirm, but that is all use now althought I do water 2 times a day in mid Dec - mid Feb anyway.

Ken