Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
- Bretts
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Thanks Ken but I thought Grant had both types of Diatomite?
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Some improvement after increasing dose of ferts but probably too late this year to expect too much.Bretts wrote:That's interesting Grant.
My hunch with 100 percent mixes in general is that you can run into pH issues. The mixes in general act as a buffer to any pH issues. Akadama is one that seemed to be an exception to this rule with me and I thought Diatomite Maidenwell was much the same.
I was suprised to see Attapulgite (Chandlers kitty litter) in the "Components that on their own grew well/OK or good" list. I had always used it only in a mix and when I experimented with it at 100% with a JBP seedling I had pH issues. the seedling was yellow. Did not think it would make the Winter but it did and recovered in an akadama mix this year I am still mucking around with Attapulgite 100% though.
The 50% Diatomite and 50% Spongelite mix was that with the high pH diatomite.
I have a bunch of tridents growing in 100% Spongelite. More from necessity/laziness than anything and apart from being a little light in colour which is probably lack of nutrients they are going quite strong.
I also have a hornbeam seedling in 100% diatomite mid pH and it is going at least as strong as any of the others.
It just gets more confusing
Oh did you notice any improvement when you stepped up the fertilising?
The experiment will run for a while yet to see if there are any toxicity problems.
Towards the end of the growing season I will pot the trees on into bigger pots, inspect roots and test PH on the old mix to see if the PH has changed.
Grant
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Yes I have both kinds of Diatomite and have listed them separately in the components tests.Bretts wrote:Thanks Ken but I thought Grant had both types of Diatomite?
In the blends it probably won't make much difference which one you use.
Attapulgite was a surprise. I thought it would stay far too wet but it hasn't been through a winter yet of course.
grant
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
I was thinking different Grant. The Mt Sylvia and the Spongolite both have high range pH if I remember right. So I reckon the neutral pH diatomite would compliment the spongolite better.In the blends it probably won't make much difference which one you use.
No big one anyway as I believe there is no readily available source for spongolite anymore with richgro replacing spongolite with Mt Sylvia diatomite in thier aquatic planting mix
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Yes unfortuneately with both organic and inorganic components their make up/behaviour/specs change all the time without notification so it is best to stay flexible about what you use. No point dying in a ditch about this or that as it is largely irrelevant or beyond your control.Bretts wrote:I was thinking different Grant. The Mt Sylvia and the Spongolite both have high range pH if I remember right. So I reckon the neutral pH diatomite would compliment the spongolite better.In the blends it probably won't make much difference which one you use.
No big one anyway as I believe there is no readily available source for spongolite anymore with richgro replacing spongolite with Mt Sylvia diatomite in thier aquatic planting mix
As usual just do your best and muddle on.
Grant
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
I have just updated my thread on my (informal ) tests so will not pollute this one of Grants. See the thread here
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1878
Anecdotally on the different plants I am trying I find that Diatomite/Zeolite performs best with Ray Nescis mix very close and Akadama much worse off
What I will say though is that as long as your mix is a free draining one and the trees are looked after with good water and fertilizer regimen, then you cannot go wrong. Use whatever works fro you in YOUR situation as the few % differences will not make much difference.
If you are wanting to grow a tree on ad develop it, then put it in the ground or large pot a fertilize it well. If you have trees in Bonsai pots, then growth rate does not matter so use what you know works for you. For us in OZ, then that means Mix that hold water well and is easy to Rewet when drying out.
For me, that is Diatomite / Zeolite
Ken
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1878
Anecdotally on the different plants I am trying I find that Diatomite/Zeolite performs best with Ray Nescis mix very close and Akadama much worse off
What I will say though is that as long as your mix is a free draining one and the trees are looked after with good water and fertilizer regimen, then you cannot go wrong. Use whatever works fro you in YOUR situation as the few % differences will not make much difference.
If you are wanting to grow a tree on ad develop it, then put it in the ground or large pot a fertilize it well. If you have trees in Bonsai pots, then growth rate does not matter so use what you know works for you. For us in OZ, then that means Mix that hold water well and is easy to Rewet when drying out.
For me, that is Diatomite / Zeolite
Ken
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
I have found some good results with Akadama and I am looking forward to mucking around with it some more including heaps of fert. But not all have gone over past experiences from memory. Maybe as Japan does not have to water as much as us and we need to change the way we fert. Maybe lots of solid fert on top or as Walter suggests?
I think we are very lucky to have diatomite here in Australia. I have not had enough experience with it yet but I have had what I see as pH issues with the high pH one. I finally have a local supply of the mid range ph Diatomite even if it does cost $28 for I think 20L bag
I am seriously thinking of a bulk order of Ray's mix for my stock trees as it will not need as much fert and keeping the other mixes for my bonsai pots.
Thanks for your update KC
I think we are very lucky to have diatomite here in Australia. I have not had enough experience with it yet but I have had what I see as pH issues with the high pH one. I finally have a local supply of the mid range ph Diatomite even if it does cost $28 for I think 20L bag
I am seriously thinking of a bulk order of Ray's mix for my stock trees as it will not need as much fert and keeping the other mixes for my bonsai pots.
Thanks for your update KC
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Ps forgat to add, that my diatomite is Mt Sylvia, which is the high PH one
Azaleas have no issue with it as I have 2 test trees and 3 others in it
Ken
Azaleas have no issue with it as I have 2 test trees and 3 others in it
Ken
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Thanks for everyones input. It all adds to our experience.
Grant
Grant
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Correction to PH of Mt Sylvia diatomite.
We retested the Mt Sylvia diatomite and found it had a ph of 6.
i can only think that we got it mixed up with spongelite rather than it having changed its PH while sitting on a shelf.
I had found in use it made no difference which Diatomite you used so this confirms it.
Grant
We retested the Mt Sylvia diatomite and found it had a ph of 6.
i can only think that we got it mixed up with spongelite rather than it having changed its PH while sitting on a shelf.
I had found in use it made no difference which Diatomite you used so this confirms it.
Grant
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Thanks Grant for the updateGrant Bowie wrote:Correction to PH of Mt Sylvia diatomite.
We retested the Mt Sylvia diatomite and found it had a ph of 6.
i can only think that we got it mixed up with spongelite rather than it having changed its PH while sitting on a shelf.
I had found in use it made no difference which Diatomite you used so this confirms it.
Grant
As a longtime user of Both types, I have not seen any real world performance difference in them, Just the colour, but that gets darker as it ages and can be disguised anyway
Ken
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Maybe I just did not fertilise mine enough Maybe I am still getting used to using fully inorganic mixes I will have to try to remember to do a pH test on mine (Did I already say that ) Still have some left so I will aim to try it with KC's ratio and see if it starts to work better for me.
It is possible I am blaming lack of fertiliser on pH issue. Maybe more time will tell.
Thanks for the correction Grant.
When was ya last update on the other mixes. Is the apugulite still holding together in your test.
It is possible I am blaming lack of fertiliser on pH issue. Maybe more time will tell.
Thanks for the correction Grant.
When was ya last update on the other mixes. Is the apugulite still holding together in your test.
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Still doing OK Bretts in our climate with a deciduous tree.Bretts wrote:Maybe I just did not fertilise mine enough Maybe I am still getting used to using fully inorganic mixes I will have to try to remember to do a pH test on mine (Did I already say that ) Still have some left so I will aim to try it with KC's ratio and see if it starts to work better for me.
It is possible I am blaming lack of fertiliser on pH issue. Maybe more time will tell.
Thanks for the correction Grant.
When was ya last update on the other mixes. Is the apugulite still holding together in your test.
Grant
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Hi all,
Today at the collection we took all the single component growing test subjects (an ash seedling growing in the many types of potential potting media components) and photographed, bare rooted, root trimmed and potted them on into a slightly bigger pot.
The ones that had done very poorly were potted on into our standard mix.(No point flogging a dead horse) The ones that had done OK or good were potted back into their original media( same type but brand new). All had osmocote added to the mix as those without had mostly done very poorly.
I will elaborate further soon but there were some interesting results.
One noticeable diiference was the root growth pattern. The ones that had had Osmocote in the mix mostly had a dense root system with lots of near surface roots. The ones that were liquid fed only tended to have roots going down into the mix or most of the roots coming from where the seedlings roots had been originally cut off.
And before you ask Brett; the attapulgite performed quite well. In fact in our test attapulgite at 100% did better than both Mt Sylvia and Maidenwell Diatomite at 100%. (Stayed wetter I think; the Diatomite certainly stays drier)
I will be getting on with the Tests tomorrow and repot the blended components growing subjects. (Most of the blends performed well by the way from just a glance today)
Grant
Today at the collection we took all the single component growing test subjects (an ash seedling growing in the many types of potential potting media components) and photographed, bare rooted, root trimmed and potted them on into a slightly bigger pot.
The ones that had done very poorly were potted on into our standard mix.(No point flogging a dead horse) The ones that had done OK or good were potted back into their original media( same type but brand new). All had osmocote added to the mix as those without had mostly done very poorly.
I will elaborate further soon but there were some interesting results.
One noticeable diiference was the root growth pattern. The ones that had had Osmocote in the mix mostly had a dense root system with lots of near surface roots. The ones that were liquid fed only tended to have roots going down into the mix or most of the roots coming from where the seedlings roots had been originally cut off.
And before you ask Brett; the attapulgite performed quite well. In fact in our test attapulgite at 100% did better than both Mt Sylvia and Maidenwell Diatomite at 100%. (Stayed wetter I think; the Diatomite certainly stays drier)
I will be getting on with the Tests tomorrow and repot the blended components growing subjects. (Most of the blends performed well by the way from just a glance today)
Grant
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Re: Potting Mix Tests Results Abbreviated
Very interesting about the trees with Osmocote in the mix
I have never done it myself but would concur that the Roots tend to push to the bottom of the pots. the trees do not seem to mind tho, but I think having more roots higher would be better.
Ken
I have never done it myself but would concur that the Roots tend to push to the bottom of the pots. the trees do not seem to mind tho, but I think having more roots higher would be better.
Ken
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