I know Akadama dust can be used for muck ... 
but what about diatomite? 
I am wondering if anyone has worked out an effective method for crushing the bigger stuff down to 7mm without turning it all to dust 
From Kusamura Bonsai ClubMuck
Muck is another important "soil" mixture. It is a paste that's used as a binding agent to hold soil or objects such as rocks stable in the pot until the tree roots are established. When we use a rock slab (e.g. slate) instead of a pot, we often use Muck to create an edge that will prevent the soil mixture from sliding off. To do this, roll muck between your hands until it looks like a rope, perhaps 1/2 inch in diameter. Then lay the rope on top of the rock slab and arrange it until you like the shape. It usually should be irregular in shape. Now press it down until it sticks to the rock slab. Now add your trees and soil mixture.
Recipe: Sift adobe soil, keeping only the fines (dust to 1/8"). Use a screen that's the same size as window screen or slightly smaller). Some peat moss is long and fibrous. If this is yours, cut it using scissors into lengths approximately 2" in length. Now mix half adobe and half peat moss. Add just enough water that it can be kneaded to a dough-like consistency. It's easy to knead if you put the mixture into heavy-duty zip lock bag.
Hint: If you can find black adobe that will look best, but it's difficult to find. In fact, depending on where you live any kind of adobe soil may be difficult to find. If you are using Akadama in your soil mix you are probably throwing away the dust when you sift it. Don't -- use it in this recipe instead.
Storage: If you have any left over, store it in the zip lock bag in your freezer. (Yes, your freezer. This will keep it from becoming moldy.) When you need it for your next project just remove from the freezer, let it thaw, add a bit more water if needed and then knead it a bit to get it flexible and ready for use.
Yep donned the freaky looking respirator dust maskAsh wrote:Be so carefull - diatomite dust can cause to suffer respiratory problems. Sieve it wet if you can (its heavier and anoying but should keep some of the dust out of your lungs) or with good dust mask.
cheers
Ash
Guess I'll do the sameBretts wrote:I put my akadama dust as well as my diatomite dust in the same bucket to use for muck but haven't got around to making any yet but I figure it will work much the same.
and put it in the freezer just have to remember what it is (not edable 
)
Hi john,john henry wrote:As diatomite is no longer available i wouldnt be to worried
I bought 35 litres of Mount Sylvia Diatomite for $17.50 a bag up here yesterday. Went to 2 different places and both had tons of the stuff!john henry wrote:As diatomite is no longer available i wouldnt be to worried
What is Adobe soil??Bretts wrote:From Kusamura Bonsai ClubMuck
Muck is another important "soil" mixture. It is a paste that's used as a binding agent to hold soil or objects such as rocks stable in the pot until the tree roots are established. When we use a rock slab (e.g. slate) instead of a pot, we often use Muck to create an edge that will prevent the soil mixture from sliding off. To do this, roll muck between your hands until it looks like a rope, perhaps 1/2 inch in diameter. Then lay the rope on top of the rock slab and arrange it until you like the shape. It usually should be irregular in shape. Now press it down until it sticks to the rock slab. Now add your trees and soil mixture.
Recipe: Sift adobe soil, keeping only the fines (dust to 1/8"). Use a screen that's the same size as window screen or slightly smaller). Some peat moss is long and fibrous. If this is yours, cut it using scissors into lengths approximately 2" in length. Now mix half adobe and half peat moss. Add just enough water that it can be kneaded to a dough-like consistency. It's easy to knead if you put the mixture into heavy-duty zip lock bag.
Hint: If you can find black adobe that will look best, but it's difficult to find. In fact, depending on where you live any kind of adobe soil may be difficult to find. If you are using Akadama in your soil mix you are probably throwing away the dust when you sift it. Don't -- use it in this recipe instead.
Storage: If you have any left over, store it in the zip lock bag in your freezer. (Yes, your freezer. This will keep it from becoming moldy.) When you need it for your next project just remove from the freezer, let it thaw, add a bit more water if needed and then knead it a bit to get it flexible and ready for use.
Palo Alto, California
http://www.gsbf-bonsai.org/kusamura/basics/soil.html
I just bought 2 bags of Mt Sylvia Diatomite at $13.20 ea from Redcliffe Produce and they have heaps too. Haven't opened it yet to see the size consistency. Selby at Bonsai Northside Nursery said they don't sift their diatomite as he believed the smaller particles help develop the finer roots?? They've been doing it for several years commercially and they wouldn't do stuff that compromises their stockshanemartin wrote:I bought 35 litres of Mount Sylvia Diatomite for $17.50 a bag up here yesterday. Went to 2 different places and both had tons of the stuff!john henry wrote:As diatomite is no longer available i wouldnt be to worried
. Just some more thoughts for the discussion.
