AusBonsai

Asus101 wrote:you can re use zeolite... thats a plus. Also add it to the dishes of water you have plants in, helps filter the water I'm told.

I reuse my maidenwell too

I have heard there are people in Melb using Only Maidenwell as their Growing medium and have for a while now

I have heard there are people in Melb using Only Maidenwell as their Growing medium and have for a while now

Yeah that's why I originally thought it did hold nutrients, because it's essentially the same as the kitty litter or 'kittydama' being used in Europe and they've been using that on it's own over there.

I use it 100% on pines and get great results. After a few months the loose mix becomes solid with roots and micoriza. I tried using it 100% on tridents and had not so great results. Junipers also dont seem to like it at 100%. That being said, my test was limited to only a few plants.

I am interested on how Kens mix (30% zeolite 70% diatomite) goes with decidious and Junipers.

Jow wrote:I use it 100% on pines and get great results. After a few months the loose mix becomes solid with roots and micoriza. I tried using it 100% on tridents and had not so great results. Junipers also dont seem to like it at 100%. That being said, my test was limited to only a few plants.

I am interested on how Kens mix (30% zeolite 70% diatomite) goes with decidious and Junipers.

Hi Jow
I have Juniper, Black Pine, Maple ( Trident and Japanese), Chinese elm, Azalea, Camelia, Crepe Myrtle, in my mix and am happy with them all.

I am going to get some different varieties of Starters, and put in both mine and Ray's mix for an extended experiment to get some definitive results.
I will be repotting all of my trees into it this year.

Ken

http://www.zeolite.com.au/products/zeolite.html

its basic but i hope that it helps a little.

Thanks Damian, it does.

Hey does anyone sieve their Maidenwell? I discovered on the weekend that it's dusty stuff which concerned me. I work in a winery and we use diatomaceous earth as a filter aid and we're taught that it's carcinogenic to breath as dust, so whenever it's being handled we wear a full mask respirator.

Maidenwell is essentially the same gear although it's not crushed into breathable particles, although the dust cloud that emanated from the bucket upon pouring certainly looked breathable!

teejay wrote:Thanks Damian, it does.

Hey does anyone sieve their Maidenwell? I discovered on the weekend that it's dusty stuff which concerned me. I work in a winery and we use diatomaceous earth as a filter aid and we're taught that it's carcinogenic to breath as dust, so whenever it's being handled we wear a full mask respirator.

Maidenwell is essentially the same gear although it's not crushed into breathable particles, although the dust cloud that emanated from the bucket upon pouring certainly looked breathable!

Never have sifted as I by 2 - 7mm in size and use just as it is.
I have noticed the dust, but never stick my nose to close to it and alwys pour it outside

I mix it up all dry in the large tub then put in a bucket to use later when repotting. I ladle it out with a scoop and very little dust is stirred up so hope I will be ok.

after repotting i always water from the top and the dust gets washed out then.

Good to hear kc, 'cos I got the same grade and didn't sift it either.

I'm sure the dust isn't too much of a hazard but due to my work I'm always wary of diatomite. I understand that no one has yet contracted cancer through inhaling it but they suspect that it's a carcinogen due to it's abrasiveness.

Opening it outside is the go, just in case.