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Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 5th, 2013, 3:18 pm
by Grant Bowie
Hi All,
just got back from Brisbane picking up trees for the NBPCA and I heard Maidenwell may be revived.
Anyone out there can confirm?
Grant
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 5th, 2013, 3:43 pm
by Webos
Please let this be true
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 5th, 2013, 5:28 pm
by Paulneill
I hope so . I was amazed at how healthy my trees grow in this stuff . If its true I'm getting 4 bags extra . Incase they close again
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 6th, 2013, 10:28 pm
by kcpoole
Curious that eveyone is sweating on MW
I coud tell n0o difference in performance in the real world when I changed to Mt Sylvia
The only difference to me is the colour and even then not an issue as i darkens over time
Ken
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 7th, 2013, 3:34 am
by Meagi
Hi All
Confirmed this place is back on the market opening today Jan 7 .
Cheers
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 7th, 2013, 5:03 am
by Damian Bee
Ken is right except that, Mount Sylvia is cleaner and harder than the maidenwell material. Unless the new owners are big on QC then Mount Sylvia is a better product.
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 7th, 2013, 12:04 pm
by Dario
Well I for one am glad that Maidenwell is back up and running
I am not trying to fuel a debate about which is better etc, but A) I prefer the colour of MW over MT. S even if only an asthetic difference...and even if MT.S gets darker over time; B) I found that Mt.S had morre rounded smoother particles compared to MW; C) I actually found MW to be far less dustier than MT.S
These are all incredibly minor differences and granted that I am not purchasing pallets of the stuff anyway.
As to the PH difference? I haven't seen an issue with any of my trees when comparing both products, but I haven't tested for it anyway.
I think it is a good thing to have more options available to bonsai growers in terms of having both products on the market again...and who knows, maybe the prices might decrease due to competition

...probably not
The only minor concern I do have is firstly wether Sage Hort. in Melb will stock MW again? And if so will they be substituting it for the Turface that they were using as a replacement product?...I hope not because I really like the Turface now. Maybe they could stock both products? Will have to contact them.
Cheers, Dario.
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 7th, 2013, 1:51 pm
by lakepipes
i too am of the opinion that Mt S is just as good as MW.
We now have a good supplier of the stuff in SE Melbourne and i see no reason to change back at this time.
All my trees are growing great in Mt S and until i see different.....................
Mike
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 7th, 2013, 2:24 pm
by Luke308
Besides colour the only benefit I can see with maidenwell over mt sylvia is that I was able to get commercial grade dust/fine free maidenwell which saved so much time sifting and washing which was great. My contact that I got this through was not prepared to take the chance on the claimed Ph difference. I have bought 12 bags of mt sylvia and have to say that besides the colour difference I am happy with the results.
Heres hoping we can get maidenwell dust & fine free again

Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 7th, 2013, 4:05 pm
by Luke308
Can anyone out there provide contact details for Maidenwell?
I'm assuming that with new owners they would have new contact details???
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 8th, 2013, 8:31 am
by Luke308
One of the members of my club sent me this link so I am unsure what is going on. Is the company still called maidenwell?
https://insolvencynotices.asic.gov.au/b ... 47a01d03fc
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 8th, 2013, 11:22 am
by craigw60
I really like the mt s product and unless maidenwell improved their grading I would be very reluctant to return to their product. The particle size of mt s is to much more consistent and there is very little waste from sieving, my trees seem to be flourishing in it. There is also a new graded pine bark being imported from NZ call orchiata and its fantastic, very even particle size and almost no fines so no waste from sieving.
Craigw
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 8th, 2013, 12:19 pm
by peterb
hi craig
where can one get this pinebark , i've been crushing my own from trees around us but thats hard work , wouldn't mind getting a bag or two
regards
peterb
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 8th, 2013, 2:22 pm
by craigw60
Hi Peter,
its imported by garden city plastics
10-12 Hakkinen Road
Wingfield, SA 5013
PO BOX 205
Dry Creek, SA 5094
Phone: (08) 8168 4100
Fax: (08) 8168 4188
Email: sa@gardencityp
Try the above they should be able to help
Craigw
Re: Rumour re Maidenwell diatomite
Posted: January 10th, 2013, 4:25 pm
by Lynette
I have only used the mount Syliva diatomite and have only recently started using it. Over the last few hot day the growing medium with diatomite seems to have dried out faster than the only mix with just grave, zeolite and potting. I have added a fairly large percentage thinking aabour making the pots lighter. Has any one else noticed this?
Someone I was talking to on the gold coast told me he had to water twice a day, pines that were potted in just diatomite, but that they grew really well, and that was in spring time.
Thanks in anticipation for any replies.
I love you new avatar Brett, it gave me a real laugh, just when I needed it.
Lynette