sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Folks, we simply can not speak of soil success or failure without also speaking of watering frequency and duration.
Sorce
Sorce
Optisorb was a little bigger particle size than the Napa 8822 but I wouldn't call it 1/4" size.Optisorb have particles as large as 1/4"? I thought they where comparable to 8822 which is nowhere near 1/4".
I may need to get some Optisorb to add to the mix if that's the case since getting larger size DE is difficult at the moment.
Optisorb does have some larger particle sizes than the Napa 8822. But they are still pretty close overall.So optisorb is larger than 8822?. Fastenal sells it for $12 a bag, so it's only marginally more than 8822. Though they sell by weight and napa by volume, so I don't know how it compares lb for lb. wish I knew that before! Dang.
Autozone sells Optisorb as well but I didnt ask the price. Should have asked though when i was there today.Fastenal sells it for $12 a bag, so it's only marginally more than 8822.
I was just jumping on to say that! I have a very heavy hand for watering. Mostly due to climate but I enjoy watering as well. Straight DE of this size takes a ton of watering. So if your goal is to cut back on watering this size DE alone is not the way to go IMO. My main goal of trying this large particle size is to hopefully get more air flow through the roots. The larger particle size allows for that I believe. I had some really good results with a flood and drain hydroponic set up when I used hydroton (clay balls) and I thought the larger DE may replicate that for bonsai. This size DE also helps lighten the impact my heavy watering hand has on my trees.Folks, we simply can not speak of soil success or failure without also speaking of watering frequency and duration.
Sorce
1/4 and 1/8 are the sizes of the sifters that I use for "medium" sized particles. TBH, I usually skip the big sifter for Optisorb because there aren't enough pieces that are larger than 1/4" to matter.Optisorb have particles as large as 1/4"? I thought they where comparable to 8822 which is nowhere near 1/4".
I may need to get some Optisorb to add to the mix if that's the case since getting larger size DE is difficult at the moment.
Optisorb is non-calcined and will turn to mush in one season. Also non-calcined is less porous (info I learned reading patent applications) so it's not as well suited for our needs.Optisorb have particles as large as 1/4"? I thought they where comparable to 8822 which is nowhere near 1/4".
I may need to get some Optisorb to add to the mix if that's the case since getting larger size DE is difficult at the moment.
Thanks for that tidbit. I was not aware of that. So Napa 8822 is though?Optisorb is non-calcined and will turn to mush in one season. Also non-calcined is less porous (info I learned reading patent applications) so it's not as well suited for our needs.
8822 is supposed to be calcined according to the manufacturer.Thanks for that tidbit. I was not aware of that. So Napa 8822 is though?
Folks, we simply can not speak of soil success or failure without also speaking of watering frequency and duration.
Sorce
@milehigh_7 sad day today Clyde! Cracking open last box of your DE! I love this stuff. It tempers my overwatering tendency.
The best I have settled for is Floor-dry on Amazon. Costs $18 for a 25lb bag which if my math is correct is equal to 10 gallons of American Bonsai NatraAgg Mini #20 (they charge $90 for that much lol). Pic related is sifted and wet, but after the first 2 pots I got lazy and stopped sifting.
It lists product dimensions in inches, using cubic inches you can convert it to gallons. The product dimensions may not be accurate though since it's Amazon I'm using for reference.Confirming: you believe the 25lb bag of floor-dry is approximately 10 gallons?
It doesn't list volume, only weight.
It lists product dimensions in inches, using cubic inches you can convert it to gallons. The product dimensions may not be accurate though since it's Amazon I'm using for reference.
The best I have settled for is Floor-dry on Amazon. Costs $18 for a 25lb bag which if my math is correct is equal to 10 gallons of American Bonsai NatraAgg Mini #20 (they charge $90 for that much lol). Pic related is sifted and wet, but after the first 2 pots I got lazy and stopped sifting.
Do you know which places carry Napa 8822? Haven't been able to find it in Florida.I received my bag of amazon floor-dry. My first impressions are:
1. It’s basically identical to Napa 8822 in terms of particle size and consistency.
2. I’m guessing it’s about 8 gallons (I don’t have a full bag of 8822, but they’re very close in total quantity).
3. It’s more expensive than 8822.
Conclusion: stick with 8822 over floor-dry from Amazon.