AusBonsai

Quick stupid question. Is it important, or necessary, to rince my diatomite before I add it to bonsai soil mix for 50/50 mix?

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Some people will sieve out fine dust, I do not bother. Rinse will not be necessary.

Wouldn't hurt. Gets rid of any fine dust that might cake up drain holes
Cheers RodM

Have sieved it in the past. Will just stick with the same method I think. Cheers

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I don't bother flushing or washing unless maybe the bottom of the bag with lots of dust.
Just use it as it is and dunk the pot a few times after repotting to flush the soil.

Ken

I don't think it matters whether you rinse or not.
What is important is that we reject any crappy soft material doing the rounds at the moment or you will just encourage them to supply more of it!
If you can easily crush it between your fingers,

I used that soft crappy diatomite that has been around for the last year or two repotted all my best deciduous (most over 25 years old) trees in it come September all 14 trees were dead the fines in it rotted the roots, there has been several other that have experienced the same problem

That's terrible John, very sorry to hear that. I bought a bag like that and I realised it was very soft. I didn't want to use it on my trees just incase it turned bad in the soil. I'm glad I didn't.

Does anyone know where to get some good diatomite ? That isn't the soft stuff.


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Beaumatsu2 wrote:That's terrible John, very sorry to hear that. I bought a bag like that and I realised it was very soft. I didn't want to use it on my trees just incase it turned bad in the soil. I'm glad I didn't.

Does anyone know where to get some good diatomite ? That isn't the soft stuff.


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many posts on it here about the soft batch and what to do if you got any of it.
The current batch product from Enfield produce in Sydney I have not had any trouble with over the last year or so.
I would assume other vendors have new batches now as well.


Ken

I got a batch over 3 months ago and it does crumble in between my fingers but i need a lot of force to do it. Its that normal? Its my first time using it. Some particles are stronger than others.

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Homer911 wrote:I got a batch over 3 months ago and it does crumble in between my fingers but i need a lot of force to do it. Its that normal? Its my first time using it. Some particles are stronger than others.

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Yes it will take a hard squeeze to break it up and when does so it will just crack into sections rather than squish to
I soak mine in water for a week then try the same test. The bad batch would be quite soft and easily squashed.
More like a crumbly / soft clay.

Some people think that is not a scientific test,( and it may not be) but hey it easily determines the bad batch so i'll stick with it

Ken

Looks like i got a good batch then. Got it from enfield if anyone is interested

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Acting on advice from others I sieve mine to remove the fines and then soak it in a Seasol mix overnight, then I pour off the residue before adding it to the mix. I don't know if this makes sense to you guys but my plants seam to like it.

Cheers Brendan.

I soak mine for half an hour or so before adding to my mix, I have never soaked it in seasol but think this could be beneficial

Bought two bags Mt Sylvia Green kleensorb on the weekend.
Glad to say best quality ive seen yet. Very hard granules.

Seen people growing plants in 90% diatomite with super growth rates.
Adding nutramin and dynamic lifter during growth seasons.