(Please forgive if this is a duplicate posting. I have a new ISP, and
the original posting showed an error).
I purchased a bag of what they call "the rocks" from Ramona of the lost
(due to fires) Islander Delight. This is similar to Ivan Harrison's
Aussie Gold except that it has none other than the diatomite. I have
been mixing it with a little fine bark, perlite, and charcoal on top and
a little orchid rock on the bottom with "the rocks" to provide good
drainage and all. So far I like it.
.. . . Pam
Everything Orchid Management System
http://home.earthlink.net/~profpam/page3.html
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Al wrote:
There are a lot of local sources for freshwater Diatomite and it is a good
media for most orchids, both in a mix and alone. There has to be some mine
for it around the great lakes region, anyway. It is light weight, but it
*is* a rock, so shipping the stuff, mixed into a brand name concoction from
Australia when it can be had from a more local source, always gives me
pause.
I remember seeing H&R nursery's recipe for their diatomite mix someplace on
the web. It might have been an American diatomite source.
"in5years" wrote in message
news:1102950329.3e4f4d110957ebdf01b4025e83c17b39@ teranews...
"Maidenwell Diatomite"
"Maidenwell Diatomite" Absorbalite (diatomaceous earth) consists of the
skeletal remains of microscopic single cell aquatic plants known as
diatoms. These small plants developed an opaline silicious shell like
armor for protection, upon the death of these plants the fossil shells
accumulated on the beds of these fresh water lakes and compacted into
lightweight porous rock.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Color- White, cream to yellow
Moisture- Approximately 6%
Bulk Density- Approximately 0.4
PH- 6.2 to 6.9
Water absorption- From 150% to 170% w/w
Oil absorption- From 115% to 125% w/w
TYPICAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Silicon Dioxide (SiO2) 82.17%
Aluminum Oxide (Al2O3) 6.74%
Iron Oxide (FeO3) 3.15%
Calcium Oxide (CaO) 0.04%
Magnesium Oxide (MgO) 0.37%
Titanium Oxide (TiO2) 0.60%
Sodium Oxide (Na2O) 0.30%
Potassium Oxide (K2O) 0.04%
Phosphate Oxide (P2O5) 0.09%
Manganese Oxide (MnO) 0.01%
Strontium Oxide (SrO) 0.01%
Zircon Oxide (ZrO2) 0.03%
Sulphur Trioxide (SO3) 0.04%
Loss on Ignition L.O.I 5.93%
danny Wrote:
If we asked H&R about your claims for the diatomite mix do you think
they
would back you up? I seriously doubt it. Your claims just don't make
any
sense. You say every orchid you repotted had buds in a month??? You
must
have a very limited selection of orchids.
-danny
"in5years" wrote in message
news:1102474889.35f9f0ea18280c21dceed46fd58dc5b [email protected]
Hi,
Just ask a few well known nurseries such as H&R Nurseries out of
Hawaii. They use Diatomite with their orchids. Many nurseries do.
Just think that a nursery in San Diego was quoted as saying, " Why
should my customers make their orchids live longer. I want the
orchids
to die so they can buy more orchids!"
Think about it.......most nurseries out in the world are out to make
cash and then conservation.
*****All I can say is do your own research on anything you care to be
interested in. The internet has all of the resources! Don't believe
what other people say..........Trust what your gut and head say!!!!!
Happy growing!
Steve
danny Wrote:-
Claims like this obviously come from inexperienced growers or
salesmen.
The
majority of orchids won't put out new growth within two weeks
because
you
put it into the newest "wonder mix". If I repotted my entire very
mixed
collection of orchids at any particular time, 90% of the plants
wouldn't put
out new growth in two weeks regardless of what I potted them in.
-danny
"in5years" wrote in message
news:1102402915.12f5a2e3db31bac798fe4c7d40dac43 [email protected]
Hi,
This new mix works like a charm!!!! IT REALLY DOES WORK!!! All of my
orchids that I've repotted have new shoots within 2 weeks and buds
within 1 month.
I'm so convinced.....I became a dealer for Aussie Gold! What's great
about this mix is that it is already made for you. There's no need
to
go running around or waiting for your different components to your
mix
to arrive.
For those who wait, you'll not win any ribbons at the orchid
shows!!!
WOW !!!!
Steve
MN, USA
francis marion Wrote:-
Anyone here heard of, it or used it?
Their web page http://www.aussie-gold.com/ sure makes it sound like
the
greatest thing to happen to orchids since sliced bread.
Any opinions?
Thanks,
Francis Marion-
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in5years--
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in5years-
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in5years