AusBonsai

Got some Kleensorb Diatomite. I've never used it before, but when I press it hard between my fingers it turns to dust. Is this normal?

I also just purchased a few bags, but haven't yet opened them. From what I've been reading I'm expecting to be possibly disappointed. There was talk about the lack of firing by whoever is running one of the mines now. I'll check mine out on the weekend.

I read a thread on here recently where someone said they'd contacted the company that produces Kleensorb and apparently they only heat it to around 21 degrees now so it's no longer hardened, and will disintegrate into mush pretty quickly.

I pressed some Zeolite hard between my fingers and it also turned to dust

Any inorganic material that can be crushed into dust with your fingers is going to be a problem in your mix. The dust will collect at the bottom of your pot and block the drainage holes. Material like Akadama will break down but it takes years. Pumice would be a better bet.

Matt.

Kleensorb is only being baked to 280- degrees now.

it is no longer calcined (1100 degrees Celsius plus)

Ive done some water stability tests by soaking in a jar of water and after a week some particles are still ok but some turn to mush.

Surprised that zeolite crushed as well. What brand of zeolite?

If its castle mountain zeolite that is either very very strange or you have a 200PSI finger crush strength

the problem with kleensorb is the currently mined material cannot be made hard like the original supplies were
Maidenwell is not allowed to bake theirs either apparently.
I have al little bit of the original stock left and you cannot crush it when wet or dry.

That is why I have moved to Akadama instead.

Ken

GBarb wrote: ↑June 19th, 2020, 11:25 am Kleensorb is only being baked to 280- degrees now.

Surprised that zeolite crushed as well. What brand of zeolite?

Spillzorb

Matt S wrote: ↑June 19th, 2020, 10:54 am Any inorganic material that can be crushed into dust with your fingers is going to be a problem in your mix. The dust will collect at the bottom of your pot and block the drainage holes. Material like Akadama will break down but it takes years. Pumice would be a better bet.

Matt.

Yes this is my concern. I guess I'll have to switch to pumice.

kcpoole wrote: ↑June 19th, 2020, 11:33 am I have al little bit of the original stock left and you cannot crush it when wet or dry.

Thank you. This confirms that there's something wrong with the Kleensorb Diatomite.

Maidenwell was confirmed with the dust produced when calcining and the associated health risks.

Mt Sylvia (now chalkmine) i don't think have the facilities anymore.

I have a few bags of diatomite from Vitec (I believe they are maidenwell) that I bought about two years ago.
I have soaked for weeks and they do not turn soft. I have some in my mix and they have remained solid after two years of use.

I am not sure if I am lucky to get some old stock.
With every bag I open, I soak them first for at least 2 to 3 weeks and give them the squeeze test.

I have never tried pumice. Where can I get some quality pumice in Melbourne?

longd_au wrote: ↑June 19th, 2020, 9:22 pm
I have never tried pumice. Where can I get some quality pumice in Melbourne?

You can get it here:

https://www.petandgarden.com.au/pumice/ ... e-25l.html

Damn! Over the last 11 years every time I have moved house (4-5 moves) I have gifted to someone at least 1 if not 2 bags of Maidenwell or Mt Silvia diatomite as I did not think it worthwhile to pack (or more I spent so much time packaging and moving plants I forgot about growing mediums).

Now I am looking to do repotting and cannot find any decent diatomite for love or money... Oh well, just ordered a bunch of Agg Pumice. Is it similar ratios with Zeolite? I used to do between 1/10 and 1/5 depending on the wetness preference of the trees.

Or does pumice do it's own thing not needing zeolite?

Sorry not posted in a very long time...

Bonsai Elmo, Where abouts are you?
I have both Pumice and Scoria (and small amounts of Kanuma in stock)
Kings Langley
Ken