AusBonsai

Hi everyone,
I was reading some posts about some of our members in remote locations like Tasmania, outback areas and soforth. Obtaining Diatomite and the like seems extremely difficult. I have been trying this product called Castrol Mop-S it is diatomite and looks very promising. It can be sourced from any Castrol dealer. It sells for $26 a 30lt bag in SA, so is well in the price bracket for most. It has a beautiful colour range and as you can see from the pics it is even better wet. This is a natural inert absorbent and is used by the Fire Services for spill cleanups. It has horticutural aspects as well as can be read on their information data sheets. Hope this helps some of our members having problems obtaining this soil. Give it a go and let us know the results

Regards Panda

Hey Panda,
This sounds great, not just for those in remote areas.
How long have you used it?
Mick

Hi Mick (El-President),
I have been trialling it now for a few months, with different other soils mixed in to it. I was waiting to post some results after a time, but have not had enough growing time to do this yet. The plants are doing well in it in all the different mixes, but to early yet for any real hard data for the members. I will keep going with it and post when I have any results. The data sheets for this product look very promising and as stated it is readliy available on most places around the country. It absorbs water readily and crackles when it gets wet, absorbing the water. Some of the particles float when completely immersed in water, but it is extremely hard and does not crush easily. It can be ground down with your boots on a hard surface, but will not breakdown by itself. Im excited about this and its availibility.

Regards Panda

Mick asked what it looked like when it was dry, so I dried it out. I also have a pic of it in a pot growing a fig cutting. It is 2mm - 7mm in size, no dust.

Regards Panda

Looks good mate.

Looks just like Maidenwell to me.

Nice find

Ken