Inert Growing Medium

[Bretts]

Wheres Maidenwell gone?
Enfield is out of the 2-7mm at the moment. I know there is at least one other supplier in Sydney area so I have tried to contact Maidenwell to get the details. The website is down and they are not answering the phone. Hope they are not a result of the turn down in the market like other mines?

[Mojo Moyogi]

Ken,
Many of the particles in the calcined clay as used in cat litter break down very easily and is in no way a substitute for Maidenwell Diatomite. I learned that the hard (and expensive) way.

MM

[Bretts]

Mojo try Chandlers Kitty litter it is Attapulgite clay. I have been using it for three years and it works fine. I think I prefer Rich Grow Aquatic Planting Mix these days though. Doesn't say what the stuff is except 100% natural minerals and nuetral ph. I used to think it was dearer than the Chandlers kitty litter but once I sat down and worked out the volumes Aquatic mix is slightly cheaper and aquatic mix is a bit better quality. I have found chandlers just starting to break down a bit after three years but I am not rushing to repot anything that is not due as it is working fine. The aquatic mix shows no sign of deteriating at all after the three yaers and I think the trees like it the best out of all I have used for potting mediums.

[Bretts]

Wheres Maidenwell gone?
Enfield is out of the 2-7mm at the moment. I know there is at least one other supplier in Sydney area so I have tried to contact Maidenwell to get the details. The website is down and they are not answering the phone. Hope they are not a result of the turn down in the market like other mines?

Just talked to Enfield produce again and they say they can not get the Maidenwell Diatomite any more. It seems my fear was real?

[teejay]

Just talked to Enfield produce again and they say they can not get the Maidenwell Diatomite any more.

Bugger! Did they mention them going out of business at all?

[kcpoole]

Just talked to Enfield produce again and they say they can not get the Maidenwell Diatomite any more.

Bugger! Did they mention them going out of business at all?

Ahh shari!!!!

Was going to call them next week to see if they had gotten any more in as will nedd some more soon

Ok everyone can all see if we can find another supplier and post here

Ken

[teejay]

Ok everyone can all see if we can find another supplier and post here

I'm not sure if the supplier is the issue, it sounds like the problem is at the beginning, Maidenwell may have gone under! Although I can't find any mention of it anywhere, but if a supplier can't source it anymore it sounds bad. Reeeeeeaaaaaaal bad.

[teejay]

There are other Australian diatomite products out there which may be suitable if they can be found. Like this maybe:

http://www.mtsylviadiatomite.com.au/

http://www.mtsylviadiatomite.com.au/mod ... ensorb.pdf

This stuff is 13.70 for 35ltrs:

http://petwise.shopau.biz/catalog/produ ... 3ac6d9a881

Anyone tried it?

[Jow]

There was diatomite from a sydney quarry that was used a bit down here when it first hit the market. It killed a lot of trees as it was very acid i think it is the diatomite that is used in kity litter.... Maidenwell was close to neutral ph wise.

[SteveT]

Rich Grow Aquatic Planting Mix is a product called 'spongalite' (I contacted the distributer). The great irony is that it comes all the way from WA but I prefer the look of it over diatomite which is highly available to me here in Brisbane (from the pet store around the corner). I believe it holds less water than diatomite (only around 50% vs 100% its own volume) so I intend to use it for my large JBPs (possibly even straight).

[Pup]

Rich Grow Aquatic Planting Mix is a product called 'spongalite' (I contacted the distributer). The great irony is that it comes all the way from WA but I prefer the look of it over diatomite which is highly available to me here in Brisbane (from the pet store around the corner). I believe it holds less water than diatomite (only around 50% vs 100% its own volume) so I intend to use it for my large JBPs (possibly even straight).

Spongolite versa rock and kitty litter are all inert. All made by the same manufacture here in WA in a town down the south called Albany not allbany as many eastern states people say.
I had the products analysed by a soil chemist all are the same just different colours. Kitty litter is the cheapest of them all.
Spongolite is sold to workshops to soak up oil, versa rock was sold here about 10 years ago as an inert soil mixer. We all know what kitty litter is sold for.
Just my two cents worth. Pup

[teejay]

It's all very weird. The website has gone and the phone is now disconnected at Maidenwell but my closest supplier reckons they're still in business??????

[teejay]

Just got this from Mt Sylvia Diatomite:

Kleensorb granulesa are 2-7mm

pH is around 8.

Vitec in Dandenong South can supply.

[anttal63]

sage horticulture have a new diatomite delivery. they say maidenwell still operating.

[teejay]

That's a relief! I only just got on to the stuff.

Cheers Ant!