Bad batch of diatomite.

[Damian Bee]

Yep, pumice is certainly great stuff.

You must have a different batch to the one that I have Black:lost:

[IanN]

Hi again folks. We've had a look at a sample of diatomite that was returned to us. We soaked it in water for 18 hours and then took a look at it. The granules integrity had been maintained. They could could readily be crushed in the fingers but they held together as long as they were not mechanically acted upon.

In the nine years that I have been involved with the company, we have seen harder and softer material pass through the plant. The current product is very similar to the material that was sent back to us. I understand that different bonsai growers use differing ratios of diatomite in their potting mixes and that permeability of the mix is a critical issue however, i would not expect permeability to be affected as a result of degradation of the diatomite granules in situ as long as the mix is undisturbed.

Growers should remember that diatomite holds up to 150% of its weight in water and thus is a significant store of moisture. In addition it is an excellent source of bio-available silica. For these reasons it is more than a simple supporting medium and plays a nutritive role in the potting mix.

We will continue to monitor the quality of our material and respond to any questions.

[DeadStar]

I ordered some kleensorb online before I read this thread and was a bit worried I had wasted my money and would end up with 70lt of unusable diatomite.

Im glad to find that after soaking the kleensorb in a glass of water for a week, the kleensorb is the same as the day it went into the glass. I pinched some between my fingers and its still holding its shape.

[treeman]

Some really crappy stuff from Mt Sylvia came my way. Lots of black so obviously a different batch to the usual creamy stuff. About 50% of it disolves or falls apart at the slightest touch. It DOES NOT hold its intergity in a pot and is totally unusable!!!

[Bougy Fan]

I think this thread has served it's purpose and will be locked. Ian for Mt Sylvia's contact details are contained within so if you have any issues please contact him. Unlike a lot of other suppliers he is happy to replace the problem diatomite.