Can this stuff somehow be used for orchids?

[cb977]

Cool, Camille! Let us know how your experiment goes...I love doing stuff like that

[camille1585]

So far I think I'm noticing faster and better root growth on the wine drinking one. Might be a coincidence (maybe that division is stronger) or maybe I'm imagining things,so I may try it on some other plants to see what happens. In any case, I'm enjoying the wine too!

[phearamedusa]

I'm going to chime in with my on this product. I"ve used a similar one, from Grotek instead of General Hydroponics. Pyrophyllitic clay can do some pretty amazing things for my roses outside. I top dress a little around each of my rose bushes in the spring, no more problems with black spot, or powdery mildew, the fragrant one is more intensely scented too, and if I don't do it then I get those same problems(black spot, powdery mildew) and have to practically stick my nose in the flower to smell it. I don't like spraying fungicide all the time to keep my roses looking nice. It can be used for propagation or top dressing, in soil/soilless mixes, on/in rockwool drip systems or reservoirs(hydroponics). I haven't really tried it with my orhids, but I don't think it would hurt, in moderation. It does provide more then just silica, it contains many rare minerals and trace elements too. I have given to customers (own a hydroponics shop, btw), the customer liked it so much he bought a 25lb bag to amend his veggie garden with(rate suggested on label is 200lb/acre).
Oh and I didn't find it to hold water since you're not using that much per plant(my product said 2tbs sprinkled on the medium around the base of the plant for top dressing).
Since it was a sample/freebie, give it a try, you might like it too.

[cb977]

Thanks for the input! I'm very happy to hear from somebody who has some experience with this or a similar product. I'm going to experiment on one or two chids and also give my one and only rose bush a little bit too

[entropy82]

CB - i don't have particular experience with the product you are asking about, nut rather "something" similar. i do use diatomite, or diatomaceous earth (DE) on some chids, paphs, some catts, etc. this product has extremely high silica content and other trace minerals. it's mined all around the world. be careful though, you want the DE from fresh water only. the others contain salts that are unhealthy for the chids or any plant for that matter. DE can hold up to 150% of its dry weight in water, basically its a rocky sponge. a huge bag of this stuff weighs almost nothing, lending well to having it shipped if need be. check out these two links, certainly not the only ones. i started using DE with a whole array of plants and haven't turned back.

OrchidSafari ARCHIVES* Diatomite

Maidenwell Diatomite | Product Information

[CoolPhrog]

"your soil is coral-sand derived"

That's not an entirely true statement, Ross...

[Ross]

Originally Posted by CoolPhrog

"your soil is coral-sand derived"

That's not an entirely true statement, Ross...

Maybe not Jacksonville. But down Tampa way, I'm pretty sure that's true.

[CoolPhrog]

Most of the sand in Florida, inland or coastal is primarily quartz.

[cb977]

Florida Beaches And Beach Sand Information And Comparison Coast To Coast | | Florida Vacation, Tourism, Travel & Entertainment Information, VISIT FLORIDA

[LauraN]

That's what I love about this site! I always learn something new. I've lived in Florida most of my life and never really knew what caused the differences inthe sand, but now I do!