AusBonsai

Hi All, I have been getting my supply of 2-7 ml, 40 litre bags of diatomite in Melb. from SAGE HORTICULTURAL.
They ran out of the above size a couple of weeks ago. I just got off the phone from them today and was informed that it looks like the Maidenwell mine has gone into receivership and that the mine is looking to find a new owner so things can get back to normal, but it hasn't happened yet and may not??...fingers crossed!
Sage Hort. has taken diatomite off their website for the moment.
I for one really hope that the mine is purchased by a new owner so that supplies get up and running again. I am aware of the Mt. Sylvier mine (spelling?), but prefer to stick with Maidenwell.
Does anyone know what is happening, or have any contacts in the mine etc??
Sage Hort. told me to call them in a couple of months to see where things are at, but I am out of diatomite and would like to get some more...any info would be appreciated.
If this doesn't get resolved, it looks like I will give scoria a shot.
Thanks, Dario.

This happened some time back as well just after the GFC. they get things soughted

Here is a bit of discussion on what happened last time.
The funny thing was that the old maidenwell site turned into some weird movie and ramblings that I could only guess was someone acting upset over what happened? But that is purely conjecture
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=40&hilit=maidenwel ... e&start=45

Thanks for the link Bretts. When talking to Sage Hort. I mentioned that this had happened before and asked if they new why it had happened again in such a short period of time...they didn't know but mentioned that their contact in the mine has moved on as he didn't think the situation would resolve itself quickly.
I hope that isn't the case, but I guess time will tell.
Cheers, Dario.

Just went to Maidenwell's website and read this message...
"Notice
Please be advised that Maidenwell Diatomite is currently closed for repairs. At this stage there is no definate re open date but we will advise as soon as possible"
...well that is not what I heard.
Anyway, has anyone heard any news re this?
I reckon they will get up and running again, I just wish it would happen quick smart.
Also can anyone advise me where I can get some 40 litre bags in the 2-7mm size in Melbourne as I still have some repotting to do and would prefer to use diatomite.
Thanks Dario.

Hi Dario, I got mine thru the Waverley bonsai club. You can try them they may still have some stock
Kirky

If you can't find any maidenwell, maybe you'll have to give Mt Sylvia a go? I use it and have no dramas

NathanM wrote:If you can't find any maidenwell, maybe you'll have to give Mt Sylvia a go? I use it and have no dramas

I second that
Ken

KIRKY wrote:Hi Dario, I got mine thru the Waverley bonsai club. You can try them they may still have some stock
Kirky

Thanks Kirky, will give Waverley bonsai a call tomorrow.

NathanM wrote:If you can't find any maidenwell, maybe you'll have to give Mt Sylvia a go? I use it and have no dramas

Thanks NathanM and Ken, I will also look into Mt Sylvia too...I had heard that it had ph issues...but obviously you guys have no dramas with it and being that we fert heavy, I suppose it isn't an issue?
Thanks again, Dario.

The pH is said to be higher but it seems that I am the only one that has had percieved problems with that. It could easily be something else. Maybe some peat that I used at the time

Bretts wrote:The pH is said to be higher but it seems that I am the only one that has had percieved problems with that. It could easily be something else. Maybe some peat that I used at the time

Hi Bretts
It has supposed high PH, and that was confirmed by Grant in his tests. But I have Azaleas in it with no issues, and the performance of Azaleas in Mt Sylvia D. is similar to Azaleas in Ray Nescis mix that I use as a Benchmark.
I use Kanuma for my Azaleas now, only because it is twice as good as anything else I have tried.

Why do I have no problems with the hight PH?, Maybe because it drains so well that it gets flushed out? Maybe because I reuse Diatomite for ever, and the high PH gets leached out quickly? Maybe the Zeolite I add 33.3 % counteracts it? Dunno but could not be bothered trying to work it out.

Either way I am Happy to use Mt Sylvia as a substitute for Maidenwell as that is what I can get, and it works better than anything else

Ken

In my efforts to try and source Diatomite 2-7mm (Maidenwell) here in Adelaide, I had heard of the mine closing. The good news is that there is a Hydro shop out north of Adelaide

(Hydro World Hydroponics--Equipment & Supplies - Northfield, SA
40 Folland Ave, Northfield SA 5085, Australia
Phone number(08) 8262 8323)

that brings Diatomite into the state, and they told me that they have found a new supplier (not Mt Sylvia due to the high PH levels) and are currently doing tests on the PH levels of it to ascertain if it is suitable for use as a growing medium. I think it is only a matter of a few weeks to maybe a month or two wait? I was told to ask for Jason at Hydro-World, but he wasnt available when I rang and I spoke to someone else who was very helpful and informative. He was intrigued to hear about using Diatomite for bonsai also.

Until then I have settled for using Richgro Aquatic Plant mix from Bunnings which seems to be quite good (although it doesn't hold as much water as diatomite)

Thanks Luke308, please update the info as you find more out.
Cheers, Dario.

Hi Luke

I have just started using the Buzings aquatic mix and have been really very happy with the results. I have used it 50/50 with a cactus & succulent mix and the trees i replanted are doing really well, maple, oak, azalea and juni.

The maple and the oak are particularly thriving. The mix seems to be retaining so much more moisture without being stodgy. Previously my maple (only Buzzings bonsai mix variety) really struggled if i was late on the watering.

I am new to all of this and i don't know what the product actually is, but my tress are doing well atm.

anyone else out there using this product and what are your thoughts and results?

It ca be a little dusty, and i'd say it needs to be sieved to eliminate these small bits, but i just did my best without anything too tehnical..... guess there's another thing i need to get. I might try my wife's cooking sieve and see how that goes.

Stew

Hi all,

I posted elsewhwere that we retested the PH on Mt Sylvia and found it was similar to Maidenwell; we must have got a bum reading or confused a product.

Mt sylvia; other than the colour, is a suitable substitute for Maidenwell.

Lucky i got 15 bags of Maidenwell though as I prefer it.

Gavin G posted about the aquatic mix and found it not very good; in fact it killed a tree in his opinion.

Grant