Diatomite - Should I use it?

[bonsaeen]

This has been asked many times before but where is the best place to get Diatomite in Melbourne. I found one online but they have 2-10mm size and I was hoping for more like 2-7mm max?
I have not used Diatomite before and only got interested as I heard Ryan Neil talk about in a video and then when I searched the forums I found many members use it but the posts are mostly years old.

My questions are:

1. Should I use it? I think I am happy with my current mix but I was wanting to pot a few trees in Diatomite and some in my own mix and compare over time.
2. Is it becoming a hard to find resource now? In which case probably better not to use it.

Thanks

[Ryceman3]

Hi Bonsaeen,
I have used diatomite in the past and been happy with it but the quality over the last 12 months I have found to be unreliable, the guy I get some of my elements from stopped supplying because he couldn't guarantee the quality. I have subbed it out of my mix since this Spring so I can't say for sure (still too early to know) but I think my mix is doing OK without it. We could go into ratios of what to put in your mix and when etc... but that is just a can of worms that I aren't particularly qualified to comment on ... the perfect mix is a neverending quest!
I wouldn't go with it unless you can be sure the quality is up to scratch.
Good Luck!

[kcpoole]

I have used Diatomite for years and Like Ryceman have found the recent supplies to quite soft

The original mine was Maidenwell in Queensland but they closed up shop,
then Mt Sylvia opened in Northern NSW and for about 5 years was doing well but the Mine apparently has run out of Hard Diatomite and thus the mushy stuff around now. Froim what I hear, they have more hard deposits but to get at them they need to remove too much overburden and that makes it uneconomical to mine.

Last year the original Maidenwell mine restarted, but from what I understand they do not have Worksafe (OHS) approval to run the ovens they use to bake the mined product so it is also not suitable for Bonsai

As the last importer of Akadama decided to not bring any more in I have taken up the mantle and do so myself and now am using a mix of Akadama, NZ Pumice, Zeolite in al my trees and am adding some Orchiata into the mix for my deciduous trees.

To answer your original question, If you can get Diatomite then test its ability to stay weto for long periods and not turn to mush.

Ken

[Keep Calm and Ramify]

...am I the only one that just uses a good quality [store bought] potting mix?
My plants seem to be happy enough.

[bonsaeen]

Yes, sometimes I wonder if having my plants in a so called Bonsai mix from Osmocote would be the same as other mixes? But surely all these experienced ppl use these mixes for a reason right!

[kcpoole]

I use inorganic mixes to rid my pots of Curl grubs in the first instance,
Secondly they require less water each day and if th4ey do dry out while at work, they Rewet instantly.

Ken

[melbrackstone]

Agree with Ken, curl grubs are never a problem when using diatomite, and they do tend to re-wet much more easily. I've substituted pumice for diatomite recently, am hoping it will also repel curl grubs!

[bonsaeen]

Where do you guys get Diatomite?

[treeman]

I am experimenting with thoroughly washed and screened scoria and peatmoss. So far I have only planted azaleas and gardenias in it. I will get back with the results and details if successful.

[wrcmad]

Where do you guys get Diatomite?

My local Norco Rural has Kleensorb.

[Ryceman3]

Where do you guys get Diatomite?

I got some from this place but it was over 12 months ago ... the quality was OK, but like I said, there has been a few issues with hardness since then :
Sold as Kleensorb (35l bag)
A Grade Cleaning
15 Waigani Ave
Ravenhall 3023

[wrcmad]

Agree with Ryceman regarding hardness issues - however both my 2017 and 2018 batches were just fine.
I copped a batch of soft stuff a few years ago, but it didn't present any issues with my trees, percolation, or anything else - the soft diatomite was still harder than akadama.

[Bougy Fan]

It isn't readily available here in QLD - Fernlands doesn't have it nor do a lot of pet stores. I have no need for more - I am reusing my mixes and also have 2 old bags of Kleensorb before there were issues with it. I am trialing Quincan as a replacement now I have secured some stock.

[kcpoole]

Agree with Ken, curl grubs are never a problem when using diatomite, and they do tend to re-wet much more easily. I've substituted pumice for diatomite recently, am hoping it will also repel curl grubs!

From my experience so far it does, but I also add Akadama which i KNOW does not support grubs ( Kanuma does the same for Azaleas)

Ken

[kcpoole]

the soft diatomite was still harder than akadama.

Hard Akadama? The sof Diatomite went t mush in about a month where Jard Akadama I am using are still are fine after 3 seasons in the mix
Wash and reuse every year so far and probably lose about 10 - 15% each time

Ken