AusBonsai

Hi Guys, can anyone tell me where in Melbourne I can buy diatomite. I'm on the sth east side but anywhere would be great as I can't find any one who even knows what it is. I'm happy to travel to buy it if I have to.

Thanks
Josh

Try this thread viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10466&p=113551#p113551 good luck!

I used to get it from Sage Horticultural.
When Maidenwell closed down they stopped supplying.
I heard in recent weeks that they would be getting supplies of Mt Silvia diatamite but I am not sure if this has happened yet.

Perhaps someone knows?

cre8ivbonsai wrote:Try this thread viewtopic.php?f=12&t=10466&p=113551#p113551 good luck!

Thanks for that, they are just up the road from me so will give them ago. Appreciate the quick reply.

Josh

Hi all,

What is Diatomite?

Thanks,

Brad75

Brad75 wrote:Hi all,

What is Diatomite?

Thanks,

Brad75

I'm about to find I've never used it before but after reading so many discussions on here about I decided to get some and try it. I have had some pretty crap potting mix so now playing around with making my own or modifying what I have.

This is from the mt sylvia mine website.....

Diatomite is a sedimentary rock composed largely or wholly of the siliceous skeletal remains of microscopic, mainly aquatic plants called diatoms that are a type of algae. The skeletons (frustules) consist of amorphous (as opposed to crystalline), opaline or hydrous silica, but the rock may be contaminated by varying amounts of organic matter, alumina, iron, soluble salts, and sedimentary particles such as clay, carbonates, and sand. http://www.naturalfeeds-fertilisers.co.uk
Mt Sylvia Diatomite is a massive near white relatively pure diatomite, although the colour becomes darker with increasing content of organic matter. It has a chalky appearance and is generally soft and friable.
The mass packing of individual diatoms results in a microscopically porous material of low density and high bulk. It has the ability to absorb up to 200% of its own weight in water. The diatomite particles are polarized and when the diatomite is added to soils it has the added benefit of keeping the soil pores open, allowing easy penetration of water and oxygen.
Diatomite also neutralizes toxic components that may be present in the soil such as aluminium and heavy metals. It is the most soluble form of pure silica that, when absorbed by plants, helps them to resist both fungal and insect attack. Because of its pure nature there is very little iron, alumina, soluble salts, carbonate or sand. There are minor concentrations of smectitic clays.
The deposit, made up of diatoms of the Melosira species was formed in a fresh water lake adjacent to a major Tertiary volcanic center. Our diatomite has the highest levels of amorphous silica of any commercial producer in Australia . Additionally, it is lowest in kaolin and sodium which gives it a most favourable pH and conductivity as well as soil solubility.



Josh

Hi Josh,

Thanks for the information. You have given me something to chew on.

Cheers,

Brad75.

Hi Kidsandall,

There a post put up by Ness it's on about page 5or6, About a supplier in Somerville 7 Ness has put the suppliers name in there so its not to far from you, hope this help's,

Regard's

The Hacker