AusBonsai

Just doing some extra research for the up coming repotting season...

As I haven't tried using Diatomite

Has anyone had a better experience with either brand Maidenwell or Mt Sylvia?

Is one better than the other?

and what is the cheapest way of sourcing either?

Cheers

Scott.

I've only used mt Sylvia, I wouldn't think that there would be much difference beetween them.

Cheapest source would be straight from the mine in bulk, freight might be the killer though

Have used both, and now use Mt Sylvia. Maiden well I cannot source in Sydney anymore.
Used MW for 2 years, and now have been using MtSylvia for 18 months.

Mt sylvia has much more "dust" in the bag, but that will just wash off.
MT Sylvia is mainly white / grey colour where Maidenwell is more Browns and dark Grey
Maidenwell is bagged iin 2- 7 mm size ( which is what I used), and had verry little smaller particles in it, where MT Sylvia seems to have more finer stuff in the bag as well. Depending on your pot sizes, you may want to sieve to get different grades for your variouls uses. I don;t as I still have 1/2 a bag of Maidenwell 0-2mm Size from 4 years ago Try storing any other medium for that long and then using it!

Both perform the same as far as I can tell in Water holding, wetting and longevity, and would not chose 1 over the other

I get mine from Enfield produce in Sydney $20 for 35L bag.

Ken

Regan wrote:I've only used mt Sylvia, I wouldn't think that there would be much difference beetween them.

Cheapest source would be straight from the mine in bulk, freight might be the killer though

You can get a pallet from the mine for about $600 but you have to organise shipping which is about $300 to Syd.

Still works out cheaper, but I have no where to store a Pallet even for a small time if we pooled and bought one. Quite happy to take a trip to Enfiled and by 3 or so when I need some.
Unless no other option, then support your local vendors if you can

Thanks KC I was hoping that you would chime in!

Just the information that I was looking for!

I usually use maidenwell 2-7mm, the last time I bought some it was way more 2mm than I like and lots of dust. I lost a lot of it when sieving it was not very good value. I wonder if anyone else has had the same experience and whether a larger grading would be better.
Craig

Gday Scott

I have only used Diatomite for 5 months but the growth on the tree i have put into it compared to those still in my normal mix is outstanding. the Diatomite has lived up to all the good reports. i would recommend it as a good potting medium

Andrew

either brand should be fine mate, diatomite is a great medium that allows for great drainage and a very fine feeder root system which is great for power feeding

What Ken said was true, but i SLIGHTLY prefered the Maidenwell. Not just because of the colours, but because it weighed slightly more (still light) but did help with balance. I have not weighed them to compare, but that is what it feels like from memory.

Joel

How is yours going Joel?

I have nearly run out now and will have to do another trip to enfield before winter potting
I will be putting ALL the rest of my trees into it this year

Ken

Hi Ken,

I love the stuff but am still experimenting. Unfortunately i dont keep records. I just get a feel for what works and what doesnt. Every time somebody thinks there mix is the best, i give it a go. Some work well for short periods, some dont work well ever in my conditions. All different results. But so far i am consistently happy with either diatomite and zeolite, or pine bark, sand and zeolite. The later mix i am using more of because i can get the ingredients easier. The former better because it is completely reusable and so cheaper in the long run. Once i have a license i suspect i will be doing diatomite and zeolite for all. But i will always have pine bark and sand (and other stuff) on hand.

Joel

Hi Joel
Since you are looking for new ones to try how about sand and peat moss I got some top quality peat moss from the hydro shop the other day it is double sifted low in salt and contains neem. I haven't opened it to look at it yet

Hi Brett,

The peat moss is very fine and holds lots of water. I use this mix already for carnivorous plants that grow in boggy conditions. They do not require as much oxygen surrounding their roots as most of the bonsai species. Also, this mix becomes hard to re-wet once dried out.

*EDIT* Also, what happens when we run out of peat moss all together in the near future? Peat moss comes from broken down sphagnum moss. It takes a ridiculous amount of time to get to the stage where its a brown powder like the bought stuff.

Cheers,
Joel

Ooops I mean coco peat Can't answer any questions about what will happen yet as I haven't tried it yet. I did use a little in my Mix years ago But Ray warned me not to use too much as it kept it too wet so I stopped. This one is a Don Burke mix. It seems he has been talking to Dorothy alot he can't stop telling people to put sand in their potting mix.

Oh I remember now I wanted to tell KC. This sand peat mix was suggested to alleviate curlgrub issues. Apparently the curl grubs go for the bark material in commercial potting mixes. Use sand and peat and there is nothing for the curl grubs to eat.

Bretts wrote: Oh I remember now I wanted to tell KC. This sand peat mix was suggested to alleviate curlgrub issues. Apparently the curl grubs go for the bark material in commercial potting mixes. Use sand and peat and there is nothing for the curl grubs to eat.

Cool thansk Brett
I have heard that is is the Sharp corners on the particles they don't like, and or the Dusty soft surface of the diatomite with they rub off and choke on it:-)

Either way I will not go back to organic mixes now so problem Fixed

Ken