AusBonsai

Hi all, i just started a new job in the transport industry and the company i work for use maidenwell diatomite as spill cleanup. So i asked them if i could purchase some from them and it was all good so now i have 40 litres of diatomite to play with. YAY.

Hi there,

I would sieve them through as well, removed all powder-like particles as these can block drainage.

Have fun

I never both sieving diatomite. Just run water thru the pot until it runs clear after potting

Good Stuff Owie

Ken

Hi Ken

I have been reading about the benefits of diatomite and was wondering do you use this for all your bonsai,azalea, natives,pines ect.

Do you mix it with anything else ?

I understand that you can buy it from a place at Enfield.

Do you need to pre-order and is it in bags ?''

Thanks I was thinking of including the diatomite when next repotting.

Fiona

Good morning Ken,

With running the water through, would you turn them (as in shaking the pot to make the stuff at the bottom comes to the top and vice versa) as well?

I didn't do sieve it in the previous years, but got nervous recently

Cheers.

H daviet
I do not shake or agitate at all. particles in the bag are anywhere between about 2 - 7 mm, and most of my trees I just use this mix as it is. For smaller pots I will seive to get the larger pieces out.
Just let water run freely over the pot and surface until clear water runs out the bottom.

Fae. I use a mix of 2/3 Diatomite, 1/3 Zeolite on all my trees with the exception of Azaleas. Some of which I have in Diatomite mix, and others in Kanuma.
the ones in Kanuma do best ( which I will order some more of next time Ausbonsai do a bulk delivery from Perth). The ones in Diatomite perform the same as Test trees in Ray Nescis own organic mix

I buy in 35L Bags from Enfield Produce. Coronation Rd. http://www.petandgarden.com.au/

Ken

HI Fiona

This is the Enfield shop you want -

http://www.petandgarden.com.au/browse/b ... mit=Search

KLEENSORB is the one talked about on this site I think Purasil is a more powdery form.

You should phone before driving that distance it's not always in stock. Got a bag the other week only because I was out that way and will play with it this spring. It's is a lot though 35 litres - in the BBQ tray is another use I will have and I believe as Kitty litter a use that I will not have.

I wish cars leaked oil like in the old days and that would be another use in a drip tray.

David

Sorry Ken

Did not see your post - must type faster.

Cheers David

Thanks Ken and David

I am going to try diatomite at repot time.

Cheers
Fiona

Hi all

Ken has the right idea with washing the Diatomite as it is a silica product and if you sieve it you should wear a mask because the dust can course silicosis which none of us want.

It would be interesting to know what grade is used for spills. I believe Maidenwell comes in several size grades and I'd assume they would use finer grade .5-2mm or dust for spills while we use 2-7mm for bonsai. The 7-15 mm is a bit coarse for all but the biggest pots.

shibui wrote:It would be interesting to know what grade is used for spills. I believe Maidenwell comes in several size grades and I'd assume they would use finer grade .5-2mm or dust for spills while we use 2-7mm for bonsai. The 7-15 mm is a bit coarse for all but the biggest pots.

2-7mm is used for spills at my work so a virtually endless supply . untill they change supplier i suppose. im going to look into the price of a pallet and might try and organise a bulk buy for all interested on Ausbonsai.

That would be a great idea

I'd be interested ^^

BTW, does anyone know if you can get it in VIC ??

According to others in Vic, from this thread here you might be in luck
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8128&p=91002&hilit ... vic#p91002

Ken

Sage Horticultural
121 Herald St Cheltenham

https://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&sa ... CBgQ8gEwAA

Hijack.......sorry Owie... -Craig (and others) how do you think diatoite would go in W.A.?.... ....Dog.