AusBonsai

Hey peoples, I had never heard of " diatomite " before I found this AWESOME site, in my mix, I normally use 2 parts deco( granite ). 1 part old fined cow manure. 1 part compost ( mainly decomposed bark ). 1/4 part blood & bone. and some wood ash.
Sooo what is the general consensus on " diatomite " !! both good & bad reports.??
Sorry if this topic has been posted before, I am only new here as you know.
Thanks
James

A forum search will pull up plenty of info on it.

Here is one link

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4517&p=51051&hilit ... ite#p51051

AG

Hiya James,
As Agarcia has mentioned to a topic search on this one, kinda like a topic on soil mixes everyone has there own opinion and it has been debated thoroughly in this forum. The consensis is though that most bonsai enthusiasts use diatomite in there mix.

Archie

On seeing your post this morning I have been trawling thru all the posts I can find regarding diatomite and attapulgite. I have not used diatomite in any of my mixes. But have recently started using straight Woolworths home brand cat litter which is labelled as 100% attapulgite, with a light sprinkle of normal potting mix over the surface mainly to disguise the awful pale grey colour.

I chose to go with the attapulgite in trials for a number of reasons, partly ease of getting it & cost. But mainly because of the experiences I have had with it over 6yrs as cat litter. The litter tray is emptied into the compost bin, 12months later the bin is emptied and the litter is still holding together well. I dug in a garden bed some time ago to put some plants in, only to find attapulgite catlitter that has to be atleast 4yrs old, having been thru the compost & then mixed into the soil, still holding itself in good shape.

Others have had different experiences with it but thought I would share my own.

Matt

I forgot to mention, so far, the plants I have potted up into the attapulgite are going on strong, time will tell if it keeps up in a pot with regular wet/dry cycles or will fall apart as others have experienced.

Diatomite.........

It's the best thing since sliced bread.

THANKS for the reply's and information so far peoples.
James

diatomite is our answer to akadama if not better than akadama, it doesnt break down it is reusable, free draining yet moisture retentative, you just about cannot over water with it as it will only hold its own weight in water then the rest is free draining. it just goes on and on mate, i started using it a while back and my trees could not be happier, the structure of it allows for a fine web of feeder roots which is every bonsai-ists dream

J.

Hi James, diatomite is the best thing since sliced bread. On top of all the attributes Jamie spelled out its also very light. pre diatomite i used to use granite to open up my mix but it made the trees so heavy.
Craig

Jamie wrote:diatomite is our answer to akadama if not better than akadama, it doesnt break down it is reusable, free draining yet moisture retentative, you just about cannot over water with it as it will only hold its own weight in water then the rest is free draining. it just goes on and on mate, i started using it a while back and my trees could not be happier, the structure of it allows for a fine web of feeder roots which is every bonsai-ists dream

J.

Hi Jamie, thanks mate I will probably invest in some soon, also just a reminder, if you aren't doing anything tomorrow, Sat 29th, that our Gympie club is having its first official " unofficial " meeting "gathering"...10 am to 1 pm, would be good to see someone from this site there, cheers
James
http://www.kinnotobonsaigroup.blogspot.com

hi james, thanks for the reminder unfortunately it will have to be another time i am moving house this week and we are in a mass cleaning stage at the moment so most of my time will be going into that. i will definately try to get to one some time!


jamie

This topic came up at the club meeting last Monday.
One of the demonstrators (Antonio) posed a question to one of the respected growers in the audience, which is better diatomite or zeolite?
His answer was very clear, zeolite is better but way too expensive, zeolite is more likely to contain extra beneficial minerals. Fertilizers can do the same.
So I will be content to continue to use diatamite.
I do like the fact that potted trees weigh much less when diatamite is used.

gday gerard, i must beg to differ re the zeolite, there is no way i would be using it in the amounts i do diatomite, zeolite holds way to much moisture for a very long time, price wise it was ok about the same as diatomite, here anyways, but my test lasted about week maybe two at the most before i got the tree out of it. zeolite is also know to lock nutrients in, which could work out well as they would dispel slower for the tree, im sure me and brett had a big talk on the use of zeolite at one stage or another and i pointed the facts out and my personal experience with it. i did use what i had left in a mix with diatomite but i wouldnt reccomend more than 5-10% if that.


jamie

Hi Jamie.
The facts are that zeolite holds half as much water as Diatomite. I suggested that the reason your mix stayed wet longer than the diatomite was to do with the finer grade of zeolite you used compared to the diatomite. The physics of zeolite holding less water but staying wet longer makes no sense!
Zeolite has a high CEC I think is the abbreviation for holding nutrients that the plant can use. I have no idea of the comparison to Diatomites CEC.
I am not sure I would use zeolite at 100% but it is not for fear of it holding too much water. If that was the case you would just use a coarser grade to compensate!

Two words in the frequent soil discussions that you don't hear enough are PORE SPACE. Air filled porosity to be more exact. It's all about particle size. I am in my 6th season of Diatomite use and swear by it as many of you already know. Aussie Akadama indeed.

Cheers,
Mojo

It took me a while to catch on to the properties of diatomite. Ability to absorb water and ability to release the water to the plants. Weight ... light, but not so light that it blows away like some other 'hydroponic type' products. I have to agree with porosity ... it allows air space betwen the humus in our soil mixes ... and air around the roots is vital to the continued healthy growth of our plants.

Maidenwell? Diatomite? Whatever you are able to purchase it as ... my experience has been positive!!!