AusBonsai

I am interested in alternative growing mediums, and have developed my own Mix of Diatomite and Zeolite as outlined here viewtopic.php?f=12&t=40
See also this thread for info on Akadama and Kanuma viewtopic.php?f=20&t=1833

In Order to get some hard facts as to whether it is useful or not, and the relative performance of the soils, I am conducting some long term tests with several different plant species, and soil types.
I will have 3 of each variety, and they will each be in different soil type and subjected the same Watering, Fertilising and general care / maintenance.
Over several years I should be able to identify trends and performance of each soil type.

The trees will all be photographed in the same order from left to right, sort of Alphabetically.
Akadama Mix ( or Kanuma for Azaleas), Diaomite / Zeolite Mix, and last Ray Nescis own Bonsai soil as a control.

I have purchased 3 of Ray Nesci starters trees and have potted them this weekend into 75 mm Orchid pots

This thread will be Prunus Okame - Japanese Flowering Cherry

Please note I have not go the Akadama as yet, and when i do i will repot the one on the left, Currently it is in Rays mix

Ken

A link to each relevant thread so I can find them easily

Flowering Cherry thread - viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1877
Sargent Juniper thread - viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1878
Zelcova Serrata thread - viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1879

Wow, I admire your dedication. I can't wait to see the results. Good luck with that.

Update each tree has leafed out at the same time and looks like they are Growing well
Azalea tests viewtopic.php?f=12&t=2056

I will repot the left hand tree into Akadama Tomorrow

After this weeks malfunction with watering, I have had my trees dry out to much
Interstingly they were suffering more in the order of
Akadama, Rays mix, Diatomite

Once watered, hopefully they will recover. Up till now they were doing real well and each was seeming to do as good as each other.

Ken

Out of the 3 trees, the only one to survive was the one in Diatomite.
Both Akadama and Rays mix did not recover
I have trimmed the remaining tree, and will try to stike some more as cuttings to replace the dead ones

ken

As a user of diatomite, i am not shocked with these results. Good work Ken!

JayC

Very interesting. Where can we get dolomite from? I can't find akadama or dolomite for that matter. I'd used some gravel type mix, and the mix sold by Leong Kwong. I like Leongs mix but want to try others just to see. Any advice on obtaining other mixes?

wisterialane wrote:Very interesting. Where can we get dolomite from? I can't find akadama or dolomite for that matter. I'd used some gravel type mix, and the mix sold by Leong Kwong. I like Leongs mix but want to try others just to see. Any advice on obtaining other mixes?

Hi Wisteria
Not Dolomite, but Diatomite

Sold in Sydney from Enfield Produce, and trying to get Ray Nesci to stock it
The product name is "Kleensorb" from Mt Sylvia Diatomite

Used to to be Maidenwell but they now stock product from a new supplier.

Ken

Hiya Ken. God I'm such a dimwit. I shouldn't read without the specs! So are there any suggestions as to how one might get the best from it? Mixed with bonsai growing medium? Or river sand and so forth. I like things nice and simple:) Thanks so much for putting me right. Apologies for being so dim!

wisterialane wrote:Hiya Ken. God I'm such a dimwit. I shouldn't read without the specs! So are there any suggestions as to how one might get the best from it? Mixed with bonsai growing medium? Or river sand and so forth. I like things nice and simple:) Thanks so much for putting me right. Apologies for being so dim!

No worries
My mix is very simple, 2/3 diatomite, 1/3 Zeolite. mix together and that is it
The Zeolite ( castle Mountain Zeolite) I get from Ray Nesci by the 25L bag

The only diatomite I can get locally is Septone Dryup which is meant as an industrial spill cleanup. It has heaps of clay in it which has to be washed off before use, but we are 400Kms from the next major town, so I use what I can get. Once washed it is just great. Would use something else if it was available!

Does ray do a smaller bag?!?!?! LOL I have to pop over to North Ryde later on so I might nip in before I come back home.

wisterialane wrote:Does ray do a smaller bag?!?!?! LOL I have to pop over to North Ryde later on so I might nip in before I come back home.

i wouldnt worry bout the smaller bags. once you start using this stuff you will want more and more. i have gone through a massive bag of it already and it is brilliant!
and for the price it is pretty good stuff.

watch the zeolite though it can hold A LOT of moisture, if your climate calls for it that will be ok but i found it was gonna cause root rot if used in to high a quantity


jamie

Cheers for that. I just want to compare and see how it goes. I use Leong's mix and I'm happy with it, but I want to see how another growing media compare. I assume you have to bear root when you change mediums too.