Amorphous Silica and perlite as an amendment.

[marc206]

I was loo.king around for other diatomaceous earth from other auto part stores. I found one at Napa auto. The part number is SAS 7702 and made with perlite & Amorphous Silica. Could this be used in bonsai soil. I'm thinking the Amorphous Silica is like a absorbent type material(wild guess). Any knowledge would help me a lot just trying to explore less expensive options for Bonsai soil

 

[BigDave]

Hey Marc,

We are talking Silica, tiny pieces of rock, aka silica sand. Any sand is good for drainage not so much for holding water or nutrients. Also very heavy, but inexpensive.

Perlite on the other hand Drains well, takes in water and nutrients and holds it in its pores.

For my money perlite is a yes, silica sand a no.

You should experinment, as they say in ceramics,

test test test


to see whats right for you

good growing,
big D

 

[Jason_mazzy]

Tell them 8822. That is pure DE.