AusBonsai

Hi all,

I will eventually be setting up a trial of diatomite and others as growing media and trying various permutations and combinations of them together.

Firstly we will see how much water the various media absorb/or not and then hold onto/or not.

At the collection I have some brand new orchid pots measuring measuring 28cm accross and 11cm deep. The holes are generous and largish so I will use a drainage layer of equal volume of each type of potting media in each pot.

Weigh first, then dunk and let sit in the water for say 10 minutes, then lift and drain and then reweigh each one as it stops draining, and then all at the same time each hour .

(I will donate the various potting materials that I have accumalated as I will use it all up myself eventually.)

Any other suggestions or observations at this time?

Grant

G'day Grant,

Goodonya for running this trial. I have read with great interest the trials others have done and I look forward to your controlled results.
One additional aspect I would be interested in seeing is the amount of settling from the different mediums. I have run some (crude) trials with various mediums and have noticed some compact more than others despite being sieved to a similar size. Perhaps you could fill each squat pot to the same level and then measure how far each subside.

Regards,
Steven

Steven wrote:G'day Grant,

Goodonya for running this trial. I have read with great interest the trials others have done and I look forward to your controlled results.
One additional aspect I would be interested in seeing is the amount of settling from the different mediums. I have run some (crude) trials with various mediums and have noticed some compact more than others despite being sieved to a similar size. Perhaps you could fill each squat pot to the same level and then measure how far each subside.

Regards,
Steven

That would come into it when we actually start growing I would presume?

Grant

G,day Grant, I agree with Steven as compaction, plays a big part in the mixes ability to drain evenly. As you saw in my mix when we were discussing it.

Cheers Pup

Pup wrote:G,day Grant, I agree with Steven as compaction, plays a big part in the mixes ability to drain evenly. As you saw in my mix when we were discussing it.

Cheers Pup

You use Akadama as a 50% component. Does it compact much and have you used Diatomite?

NBPCA wrote:

Pup wrote:G,day Grant, I agree with Steven as compaction, plays a big part in the mixes ability to drain evenly. As you saw in my mix when we were discussing it.

Cheers Pup

You use Akadama as a 50% component. Does it compact much and have you used Diatomite?

No I have not used what you guys call Diatomite, but have used Versarock and Spongealite,and Kitty litter, as all three components are the same. I found that they broke down and compacted like garden clay, thus the drainage did not happen well. So stopped using it.

Cheers Pup

Pup wrote:

NBPCA wrote:

Pup wrote:G,day Grant, I agree with Steven as compaction, plays a big part in the mixes ability to drain evenly. As you saw in my mix when we were discussing it.

Cheers Pup

You use Akadama as a 50% component. Does it compact much and have you used Diatomite?

No I have not used what you guys call Diatomite, but have used Versarock and Spongealite,and Kitty litter, as all three components are the same. I found that they broke down and compacted like garden clay, thus the drainage did not happen well. So stopped using it.

Cheers Pup

Thats interesting but you really do have to water a lot.

After what period did the various materials compact?

Grant

I have the following materials.

(All Diatomites are used as Kitty litter by the looks of it; as well as potting mix and soil applications.)

WA Diatomite(Attapulgite)
Qld Diatomite from Maidenwell
SA Diatomite from Mt Sylvia
Akadama
Kanuma
Perlite
Crushed Brick

Anything else I should be testing(Other than gravels/Zeolite etc)?

Grant

How about Pumice

Bretts wrote:How about Pumice

Pumice and Scoria are two others. I have trialled Scoria many years ago but would not use it again.

Is pumice available anywhere and what properties do you think it would add/be beneficial?

Grant

I would be interested in why you would not use Scorio again. I thought great things of it to start with but now I am not so sure!

I often see Pumice in soil recipes and has been one of those ones that I could not get hold of. It is meant to be light porous and does not break down. I believe a member has found a place to buy in bulk at a reasonable price and has offered some for me to try.
I will ask them to PM you if you are interested or maybe they will jump in!

Bretts wrote:I would be interested in why you would not use Scorio again. I thought great things of it to start with but now I am not so sure!

I often see Pumice in soil recipes and has been one of those ones that I could not get hold of. It is meant to be light porous and does not break down. I believe a member has found a place to buy in bulk at a reasonable price and has offered some for me to try.
I will ask them to PM you if you are interested or maybe they will jump in!

I found the roots grew into the scoria particles and it was a hassle to cut the roots.

I have emailed ausperlite as they sell it and will see what happens.

Grant

What about ph testing the various mixes. I am guessing they are all roughly neutral but they may not be?

Yes thats the place Grant I thought I would have lost the link with pm's gone but it is still there
http://www.australianperlite.com/pumice ... ulture.htm

Now I will know where to find it when the PM disapears