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Zeolite
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Posted by buddaboy qld aust (My Page) on Sun, May 27, 07 at 16:34
| Gday, Im trying out different soils for my bonsai's and have found some zeolite. Has any one out there used this before? I wouldnt mind trying Akadama(?) but it is BLOODY expensive in Australia. I am using lillypillies from tubestock as comparison plants. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Zeolite
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| I've heard of it, and if it doesn't break down quickly (within a year) then you should be fine, though you might consider adding a little organic compost or bark mulch, and/or some perlite. |
RE: Zeolite
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| Lucy, Thanks for your reply, sorry it took so long to get back to you. I am trying various combinations of soils to see which works the best. I tried pure zeolite, zeolite with shell grit, and potting mix with shell grit & zeolite. I am already using shell grit with potting mix to give some drainage to my soil. I use a comercially available 'Bonsai Mix' as my normal potting mix.
Thx Ron |
RE: Zeolite
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| Oyster shells are not good. Proper chicken grit is decomposed granite, even though I understand that especially in the south oyster shells are used, but it's not good for plants. |
RE: Zeolite
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| I am not familiar with Zeolite, but use Isolite. It is a ceramic bead ( 2mm in size)or cyliners that has many small holes to retain moisture. I use approx. 20% Isolite, 35% sifted Pine Bark mulch and 45% #3 Builders Sand. Works very well on a wide variety of species. |
RE: Zeolite
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| Zeolite is a class of volcanic minerals comprised of approximately 50 different types. Specifically, what you are looking for is clinoptilolite, yet it is commonly referred to as zeolite. Do NOT use sodium-based zeolite as you will introduce salt to your trees and cause significant damage. High-purity, potassium-based zeolite however is an excellent soil ammendment and I use it in my bonsai trees. The standard broadcast rate is 10 per cent (by weight). Ideally, it should be consistent and the particle size of medium to coarse grade sand. It should be well-mixed into the soil media. It should be sown into the root zone and not present on the soil surface. Because of its strong hydraulic activity (it moves moisture through the soil) if it is at the soil surface it will wick moisture from the soil up to the surface. It has a high porosity but also holds moisture well. It will self-load with nitrogen in the soil and act as a slow release fertilizer. It dramatically increases cation-exchange and helps with the uptake of micro-nutrients. It helps to buffer stresses and will reduce the risk of nitrogen burning in the event of over feeding. Its molecular structure is a stacked, inter-locking tetrahedron (like honeycomb) which is stable and inert. As such, it is resistant to freeze-thaw cycles and will not break down quickly. It will continue to provide the many benefits for many years. |
RE: Zeolite
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Chicken grit here is composed solely of ground oyster shells. So if your chicken grit comes from South Texas or Louisiana check the label.
Soil_scientist thanks for the great information!
Tally HO! |
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