Source for Diatomite and other mediums in Europe - Page 3 - Orchid Board

chromebright · #21 09-21-2010, 02:48 PM

glitchathon · #22 09-21-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chromebright

Part Number is #8822 for the Floor Dry which is 100% calcined DE. They should have pallets of it at every Napa Auto Store.

orchids3 · #23 09-21-2010, 04:35 PM

Is diatomaceous earth, Silica or a form of Calcium Carbonate? Seems like diatoms would be like tiny sea shells which are Calcium carbonate. Will get some and try it to be sure - Might discourage snails and slugs as well as provide a source of calcium to the plants as well as a good pH buffer. Really betting its Calcium Carbonate - silica that small would be called sand. Its a good tip in any event.

glitchathon · #24 09-21-2010, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchids3

Is diatomaceous earth, Silica or a form of Calcium Carbonate? Seems like diatoms would be like tiny sea shells which are Calcium carbonate. Will get some and try it to be sure - Might discourage snails and slugs as well as provide a source of calcium to the plants as well as a good pH buffer. Really betting its Calcium Carbonate - silica that small would be called sand. Its a good tip in any event.

It is a form of silica, and won't supply any calcium. really I just use it as a durable nonorganic moisture holding medium. Going to try it with a Paph and mixed with bark and crushed granite. DE should perform almost identical to Turface (i think DE will hold a bit more water so adjust accordingly). PH of DE is around 7.

DelawareJim · #25 09-21-2010, 05:05 PM

DE is silica from diatoms, a type of algae. It's commonly used as a mild abrasive, filter medium, and as a physical barrier to discourage snails and slugs as they don't like the sharp edges and spines of the diatoms.

Unfortunately, there's no calcium in the diatoms shells.

Cheers.
Jim

orchids3 · #26 09-21-2010, 05:21 PM

Yes you are right - its 80 to 90% silica althought it has some alumina and iron in it. I just bought a bag
$10 for 40 lbs at my local NAPA store. It looks like a good addative to my mix. Will go slow with the paphs and prags but wouldnt hesitate to use it on cats and cyms.
This thread on media is interesting but the one I use very successfully is Stalite Gravel. Stalite is Heat expanded clay stones. The heat pops the clay like popcorn and forms a type of porus ceramic. It is used as a light weight aggregate in the concrete industry. I get mine at the local gravel yeard - the price is deffinately right and have been using it for a couple of years now ( potted around 2500 cymbidiums in it as well as the other half of my collection) Several commercial growers here in Florida are using it including Krull-Smith Orchids. You can do more research look at "Light weight aggregates"

glitchathon · #27 09-21-2010, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchids3

Yes you are right - its 80 to 90% silica althought it has some alumina and iron in it. I just bought a bag
$10 for 40 lbs at my local NAPA store. It looks like a good addative to my mix. Will go slow with the paphs and prags but wouldnt hesitate to use it on cats and cyms.

I found about 25% fines in my bag of Napa floor dry. I sifted it out with a kitchen strainer (like insect screen) as I did not want that stuff in the mix.

I suggest using a face mask when using it. It is fairly safe at less than 1% crystalline silica... however, better safe than sorry. Things get REAL dusty when working with the stuff.

I learned that this stuff is surprisingly water retentive. Good luck with it. I will be reporting on its use with Paphs in the Beginner subforum.

chromebright · #28 09-21-2010, 06:25 PM

NAPA lists the product as an oil absorbent:

http://partimages.genpt.com/largeimages/214603.jpg

glitchathon · #29 09-21-2010, 06:43 PM

My bag says Floor Dry but same part number and probably exact same product. They may have changed the packaging recently.

orchids3 · #30 09-21-2010, 06:54 PM

Will be interested in how it works. Am using fine stalite and Coconut Husk chips for Paphs. It works well. The one problem I will be looking for is the tendency to absorb and hold salts. Sometimes media handles water well but retains too much salts. That was discussed recently in one of the cymbidium section threads. Lava Rock can have that problem in some growing conditions. Stalite works well outside in Florida but then drainage is one of the most important charactistic. Would not use diatomite alone but mixed in some ratio - yet to be determined.