Curb your enthusiasm a bit, "In5". We already know your stake in the
stuff.
Aussie Gold might be a really good mix, but its marketers fail to
realize that when it comes to orchid potting media, one man's "gold"
is another man's garbage. There is way too much variability in the
needs of the different genera and the conditions under which
individuals try to grow them for a single medium to be applicable to
all combinations and permutations.
If the marketers feel that the ready-to-use feature of the medium is a
big selling point, it is likely they will soon learn that their market
is primarily newbies who know little about orchid growing. I can tell
you for a fact that successful growers tend to analyze their growing
conditions and tailor the medium to the specific needs of the plants
to be grown there.
I used to offer a custom media blending service so folks could get
their own media formula "ready-mixed," but it had limited demand.
Why? Because folks bought the media components from me and blended it
themselves, making on-the-spot modifications based upon the particular
plants to be potted up. A knowledgeable grower understands that under
their conditions, that phal and that catt are likely to have different
cultural demands that may mandate a different medium makeup.
It's not "reinventing the wheel," it's selecting the correct one.
Stretching that analogy to tires...you wouldn't put racing slicks on
your SUV, would you?
--
Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids -
www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
..
"in5years" wrote in message
news:1105258041.cd633d85d9c38bb7fe9fa1e0c32e20d1@t eranews...
Hi Pam.
I agree with you there are sources for Diatomite. Just check out
google!!!! My view and opinion is that Aussie Gold Orchid mix is
already premixed and ready for immediate use! Easy! If a person
cares
to buy a huge bag of Diatomite and make there own
concoction......SUPERB. I'm glad someone has the time to "reinvent
the
wheel" when it comes to creating a mix for their orchids. I know
there
had been alot of hype about Aussie Gold. Just ask around.........
All the best in growing!
****I really do like your Orchid Management software Pam.
Aussie Gold Orchid Mix will be passing by all those who are sittin
on
the fence!!!!!
See ya!
***I grow Catts, mini's, phals, bulbos,phrags ...all in the Aussie
Gold! I grow all under flurescents in an apartment!!!!!!! My orchids
are Happy as Clams!!!!
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@t eranews...-
"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:1102474889.35f9f0ea18280c21dceed46fd58dc5b9@t eranews...-
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:1102402915.12f5a2e3db31bac798fe4c7d40dac43e@t eranews...-
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-
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in5years