AusBonsai

Is Mt Sylvia Diatomite as good as maidenwell?

From what I gather the Mt Sylvia is cleaner but has a slightly alkaline ph at 8.6. (quoted from Mt Sylvia website)

The point is rather moot seeing the Maidenwell mine has been closed for over 6 months. Personally I liked the colour of Maidenwell but did it find it much dustier. I haven't noticed much difference using Mt Sylvia except that the bag is 5 litres smaller

Mt Sylvia is more than adequate for most applications , I use it for plants from Azalea to Ficus ,Maples etc ...I think the best topic to look at is the one that Grant has been running ,I think this a more controlled and scientific approach to this often asked question

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5745

Cheers
Barry

Thanks Barry. Have you been using it straight on your azalea or are you mixing it with other ingredients?

I reckon as you cannot get Maidenwell any more, Mt Sylvia is 100% better

I started using Maidenwell and after 2 years could not get it any more, and my supplier swapped to MS. Apart from the colour, i cannot pick any difference and after a season of use, it brown off anyway and is almost indistinguishable.

I prefer to use Kanuma on Azaleas, but i do have some stil in Diatomite and it works OK.
I use 2/3 Diatomite, 1/3 Zeloite.

Ken

Damian Bee wrote:Thanks Barry. Have you been using it straight on your azalea or are you mixing it with other ingredients?

Sorry Damien for not replying sooner , I use 50/50 Diatomite and sieved Searls premium potting mix and I have 2 Azaleas still flowering

Barry

I've been using maidenwell for mamy years so was a bit apprehensive about the change but have to say I am quite happy with the mt sylvia, the particle size is much more consistent so very little waste which was quite an issue with maidenwell.
Craigw