AusBonsai

Hello everybody:- just wondering if anybody has knowledge of sourcing granite chips for potting mix. I have been told that akadama, diatomite and others are no good here(south oz) coz they tend to 'collect' or concentrate the salt in our water and not allow the mix to be adequately flushed through . Any thoughts ?

Hi Guy. There are several threas on this forum recently about diatomite and other growing mediums. You can do a search for them. Lots of people swear by diatomite, some don't like it. Can't speak for your area, but up here in Qld I love it.

As for granite chips, it is usually called decomposed granite, or crushed granite, and you can buy it where you buy bulk soil or sand.

Glenda

Hi Guy , most quarries have Cracker dust or Crusher dust which is used for laying pavers .Its around 6mm minus and if washed you end up with a 3-6 mm concentrated granite chips .I have used it before .Blue metal granite chips absorbs a lot of heat so try to get the lighter coloured granite dust .Cheers Alpine

Ant, I may be wrong, but as I understand things blue metal crusher dust is basalt, not granite. Granite by definition has to have less than 25% dark minerals, and is pink to lightish grey. That's why basalt is dark and holds too much heat. It is what is used in bitumen.

Glenda

Hi Glenda blue metal has been used with success in potting mixes by at least Fly and myself. I reckon it looks ugly but the side of the house has heaps of it so it comes in handy when I run out of something else.
I have never used cracker dust though and I would say it is not granite chips and with the option of other rock at landscape supplies I am not sure why you would bother with it?. I have often gotten crushed granite (white/yellow colour) and sifted out the fines to be left with small granite rocks but I don't know about chips.
I would try the landscape supplies and see what they have to offer but I am not getting crushed granite this year I think. I am over all that sifting.

Hi Bretts , cracker dust is the fines that are left over after the crushing process has taken place .If granite is crushed it is Granite , if blue metal is crush it is not granite . They are definately chips not little rocks , they are known as sharps .Excellent for roots as they slice and split the roots rather then send them round in circles .If you rub the material in your hands it tends to slice the skin .Cheers Alpine

Hi Guy,
Have you thought of crushed brick? it comes in all sizes and holds water, it is also $40.00 per ton and easy to seive and clean the dust off.
I know, i bought some from the local landscape today, they gave it to me for free as i only got 4 bucketts full.

thanks for the ideas--will check the landscape suppliers next time I'm in Adelaide-which better be soon coz repotting starts soon

Anyone know of any landscape or quarry supplier who stocks granite chips (quarter minus - 5mm) in Sydney area (or surrounding)? many stock blue metal (basalt) but not granite....

Have tried calling over 30+ with little luck thus far.....help would be greatly appreciated....

Utamaro13 wrote:Anyone know of any landscape or quarry supplier who stocks granite chips (quarter minus - 5mm) in Sydney area (or surrounding)? many stock blue metal (basalt) but not granite....

Have tried calling over 30+ with little luck thus far.....help would be greatly appreciated....

Jacksons Minicrete at Lakemba have Marble chip in various sizes I am told; plus 3mm red pebble and others.

Grant

alpineart wrote:Hi Guy , most quarries have Cracker dust or Crusher dust which is used for laying pavers .Its around 6mm minus and if washed you end up with a 3-6 mm concentrated granite chips .I have used it before .Blue metal granite chips absorbs a lot of heat so try to get the lighter coloured granite dust .Cheers Alpine

Here crusher dust is limestone... I dont recommend it at all... Being in winkie try source a product called berri yellow, its a gravel mined in Loxton. I have been told its been used with great success down in Adelaide.