Cat litter as soil

[Hoosteady]

Just in case anyone was interested... Read up on the Espoma Soil Perfector being used as an alternative to the spill cleanup materials, akadama, etc. I've just started using this with pine bark, "red lava rock" (use the quotes b/c as a geologist, the name cracks me up) and a few other minor constituents. Seems like a decent mix from the little I know. Anywho, in case anyone was interested in pursuing Espoma's Soil Perfector, figured I'd throw out a little info. I bought mine at ACE Hardware, had to have them order it since they didn't have it in stock (took 2 days to arrive at the store). I seived it using a 1/4" mesh and then a 1/16" or so mesh to get rid of the fines. I would estimate that 60% or so of the bag fell within the range of 1/4" to 1/16" in size. About 35% were just larger than the 1/4" size, but not by much. 5% or so were fines and removed all together. For your viewing pleasure, I've linked to some pics.
First is the 1/4" to 1/16" sized particles, second is the ones larger than 1/4" and the third and final thrilling picture is a bag

 

[rockm]

That's pretty coarse stuff. You will have to be extremely vigilant in watering it especially with deciduous material. It will dry pretty fast...even with orgnanics of some kind in there.

 

[Poink88]

That's pretty coarse stuff. You will have to be extremely vigilant in watering it especially with deciduous material. It will dry pretty fast...even with orgnanics of some kind in there.

I think it will be best if you leave it as-is and not sift, just amend with pine bark or chopped sphagnum moss maybe? This is what I do with my Turface by the way.

 

[Hoosteady]

I think it will be best if you leave it as-is and not sift, just amend with pine bark or chopped sphagnum moss maybe? This is what I do with my Turface by the way.

What's your logic for not sifting? Even for removal of fines?
We'll see how she works... So far I've only used it for a Fukien Tea. If it doesn't respond well, can always switch it up. Trial and error, trial and error... Hopefully there are no plant or human casualties in the process.

 

[Poink88]

What's your logic for not sifting? Even for removal of fines?
We'll see how she works... So far I've only used it for a Fukien Tea. If it doesn't respond well, can always switch it up. Trial and error, trial and error... Hopefully there are no plant or human casualties in the process.

My logic (and I could be mistaken) for keeping the fines is to slow down drying. I am in TX and my needs may be very different to yours. Turface drains very well regardless with or without the fines (in my experience).

 

[Dav4]

It seems a bit too coarse to be mixed as a component with my turface and lava. I have used it as a top dressing for a show (it eventually got kinda mixed in to the soil) and I'm planning on using it as drainage layer substrate.

 

[Vance Wood]

Not being able, for a number of years, to find Turface I too have been using Espoma with goo results. I do not sift it, there are not enough fines in it anyway as far as I have noticed.

 

[Poink88]

Not being able, for a number of years, to find Turface ...

Have you tried this link? http://www.turface.com/distributors/state/

 

[cmeg1]

Shoot, you all have any tips on where someone could find bark fines or something that could be substituted for them? I'm having a whale of a time. No one around me seems to carry it. If push comes to shove I'll order online, but only if I have to.

Go to a hydro store,there is one near you somewhere and get happy frog soil conditioner.Tell them to ship it to store.It is about half and half composted bark fines and a bit coarser composted bark along with all kinds of beneficial bacteria and stuff.The hydro store near me is awesome.He offers to ship to store and the potting soils are premium.

 

[Jason_mazzy]

Diatomite aka diatomaceous earth? I actually have a large bag of diatomaceous earth that I bought for spider control. I don't think that the form that I have it in could be used as soil though. The bag that I have is a very very fine powder. What is the best inorganic soil mix? From what ive read it seems that akademia and fine lava rock are the best, but in what approximate proportions?

Napa part #8822

that is "kitty litter" DE and makes a great soil. I have many many plants planted in pure DE. Waters easy. pure fast drainage, and it retains moisture for a long time while being porous and allowing a lot of air. It is a great soil.

 

[Jason_mazzy]

Just in case anyone was interested... Read up on the Espoma Soil Perfector being used as an alternative to the spill cleanup materials, akadama, etc. I've just started using this with pine bark, "red lava rock" (use the quotes b/c as a geologist, the name cracks me up) and a few other minor constituents. Seems like a decent mix from the little I know. Anywho, in case anyone was interested in pursuing Espoma's Soil Perfector, figured I'd throw out a little info. I bought mine at ACE Hardware, had to have them order it since they didn't have it in stock (took 2 days to arrive at the store). I seived it using a 1/4" mesh and then a 1/16" or so mesh to get rid of the fines. I would estimate that 60% or so of the bag fell within the range of 1/4" to 1/16" in size. About 35% were just larger than the 1/4" size, but not by much. 5% or so were fines and removed all together. For your viewing pleasure, I've linked to some pics.View attachment 24509View attachment 24510View attachment 24511
First is the 1/4" to 1/16" sized particles, second is the ones larger than 1/4" and the third and final thrilling picture is a bag

Appears to be the same as growstones http://www.growstone.com/soil-aerator-2/

http://www.amazon.com/Growstones-Gr...228&sr=1-2-catcorr&keywords=Growstone+Aerator

 

[pseast]

Hi there,

I also came across Special Kitty at Walmart.

I am planting a Norway Spruce.

I could get my hands on Oildri, but it is much more expensive than kitty litter where I am.

Anyone have recommendations for something cheap that I should mix the Special Kitty? Perhaps some sand and a touch of soil?

Since I am new to this I don't need the best, but over the years I may learn what is best. Just hope the tree will be happy.

Thanks for the help.

 

[penumbra]

Diotomite is essentially a product made of fossile sea life and primarily calicum.

Actually it is nearly all silica. This is what diatoms use, not calcium like corals and such. Diatoms can live in fresh water as well.

 

[Vance Wood]

Actually it is nearly all silica. This is what diatoms use, not calcium like corals and such. Diatoms can live in fresh water as well.

I stand corrected.

 

[Vance Wood]

I stand corrected.

However; Kitty litter is basically calcined clay, it has a tendency to break down and turn to snot after a couple of years unless it is fired at a higher temperature. Many of the so called Kitty litter products are not the same as each other.

 

[Eckhoffw]

I’m currently using napa 8822 or Oil dry premium. I’ve only tested it in one actual Minnesota winter, but I compared the 2 in this little experiment.
Both seam adequate when mixed with another 1 or more companion ingredients like lava, perlite, bark fines, etc.
*I have had problems using turface (calcined clay) by itself.

 

[penumbra]

However; Kitty litter is basically calcined clay, it has a tendency to break down and turn to snot after a couple of years unless it is fired at a higher temperature. Many of the so called Kitty litter products are not the same as each other.

Agreed. I do use some calcined clay like Turface but I use it as an additive in grow boxes and such. I know these will be repotted about every 1 to 3 years.

 

[leatherback]

However; Kitty litter is basically calcined clay, it has a tendency to break down and turn to snot after a couple of years unless it is fired at a higher temperature.

This is very much dependent on the brand. I have it in my mix and so far, no falling apart (Been using it now about 7 years, reusing and allowing to freeze wherever the weather decides it want to).

I think this is the main reason it has a bad name: People grabbing at random a bag and assuming it works. You do not need the actual hard variety. I am not sure it is baked or found in the form they sell it?

 

[Patience is an Art]

Another source for Perlite, Vermiculite, and Clay pellets is the FarmTek website. Not sure how products compare price-wise to your sources but I have found them to be comparably reasonable with other products I have ordered from them.