And anyone who has had a fish tank whose filter used diatomaceous earth
probably knows that breathing in even tiny amounts of the stuff will shred
your lungs like ground up glass.
Murri

"Ray" wrote in message
...
Very fresh diatomaceous earth - the skeletons of ocean diatoms- have lots
of really sharp spikes on them. That is what discourages snails and
slugs.

Diatomite is a mud of freshwater diatoms that has been pumped and calcined
and crushed, and is in the form of large chunks. All the sharp spikes are
long gone, if they existed in those species in the first place.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"Chris Savas" wrote in message
...

Does anyone know if diatomite chips are synonomus with diatomacious
(spelling
?) earth? Somewhere in the very back of my memory, I learned that bugs
don't like habitating on diatomacious earth, again, because of the
sharp
edges/points.

Good growing.
Chris




In article , "Mick Fournier"
wrote:
Rob,

I haven't reverse engineered the mix
www.aussie-gold.com

It looks like some of that brick peat moss mixed with diatomite chips the
size of a dime. I haven't really looked all that close at the total mix
to
figure out the other ingredients... I've just started a new project
management job on overseeing the construction of a $53 million shopping
mall
and the pay is so good I haven't been too concerned on what I pay for
compotting material lately. Maybe next year I will figure the mix out if
I
get some free time.

I must say though... this mix is the best I have seen in years for new
seedlings fresh out of the flask. I am amazed at how good it works. I
also
like it because the bugs don't want to settle on or in it.

Mick

PS, Cattleyas rule.

===================




"Rob Halgren" wrote in message
...
Mick Fournier wrote
whim for $18. It is primarily the Van-Rolen Horticultural diatomite
mix...
I tried it on seedlings coming right out of the flask and I want to
tell
you
all this stuff is gold. Great drainage, Cattleyas (which is the only
orchid
really worth collecting incidentally) and Phals love it, you can't
overwater
this mix for some inherent reason in its natural make-up, it appears
pH

So Mick, what is Van-Rolen Horticultural diatomite mix? Do you know
the
recipe? I can't afford the Aussie stuff and they ain't sayin'.

Brassavola nodosa is one of the few cattleyas actually worth
collecting... And Laelia purpurata. All those non-pouched, so called
'orchids' tend to be a bit boring to me. *grin* (I'm pushing
somebody's buttons, I'm sure...).

Rob (paph-rat)
clip