Diatomite going green

[senseijames]

G'day all, does anyone who uses Diatomite, find that it goes green thru to black after a period of time ?? Mine does.
James

[Taffy]

A number of people have been reporting it on different forums James, but they don't seem to be too worried about it. Are you using it 100%?

Because it is a mineral product and holds so much water, I guess algal growth could be expected. If Diatomite came in a sheet, it'd be great for growing moss on!

I'm still not convinced about using it 100%, I prefer to use it at 50/50 with potting mix - and so far, no I haven't had a problem with it discolouring.

[kcpoole]

I have found that too.
Also happens on Kanuma, and only a little on Akadama. I have also seen it on pots with "normal Soil", but as it is black then you just do not notice it

I think it from using Organic ferts mainly, as if I put a few lumps of Dynamic lifter on, then a few weeks later it appears quite thickly.
I find it is not much a problem unless you let i build up to film which can become impervious. I just rake the surface to stop it forming every few weeks, or more recelty have been giving the green a light spray with water / Vinegar

Seems to dry it out and stops mor forming, but have only tried it so far on 2 trees only

Ken

[senseijames]

[quote="Tman"]A number of people have been reporting it on different forums James, but they don't seem to be too worried about it. Are you using it 100%?

G'day Taffy, no not 100% I usually mix it with cocoa peat and potting mix.
James

[senseijames]

[quote="kcpoole"]I have found that too.

Thanks Ken
James

[benny350]

I've found it happens with mine too. I use about a 80/20 mix diatomite to organic although I'm going to start using it 100%

[stymie]

I suspect that the appearance of this growth is more likely to be a reaction to nitrates on the surface more than the actual substrate composition.

[Mojo Moyogi]

I have found that Osmocote can cause the green slimy stuff on the soil surface when used with high % diatomite mixes. The moisture retentive diatomite seems to break Osmocote pellets down quite quickly.

Cheers,
Mojo

[Joel]

Try adding some horticultural charcoal.

Joel

[senseijames]

Thanks for all your info guys, appreciate it.
James