Dry-stall or Napa Oil Dry?

[karen82]

I'm just wondering which is best to use as the bulk of bonsai potting mix. These seem to be all I can get locally and it gets expensive to order potting mix online.
Dry-stall is pumice (or at least pumice-like, it just says lightweight volcanic aggregate), napa oil dry is diatomaceous earth.
Cost doesn't really matter as both are inexpensive, although I'd prefer one with less dust/fines to sift out.
I'm mostly wondering which is better for the plaints, which lasts longer before breaking down - also which has a larger particle size.

 

[milehigh_7]

If you get the pumice product, I would just mix the 2 50/50

 

[theone420]

If you get the pumice product, I would just mix the 2 50/50

I use them mixed 1:1 , I also add Red lava rock and do 1:1:1 and my plants seem to like it.
I am also trying DE and Akadama mixed, and then adding that mixture to pumice and lava rock (1/2 part DE and 1/2 part Akadama mixed with 1 part pumice and 1 part lava rock) trying to stretch the use of my Akadama if possible. It may be a cost effective way to use Akadama for those that have to pay shipping.

 

[jeanluc83]

I've used dry stall quite a bit. It is good stuff. After sifting you will probably be able to use ~80% of the bag. It is also fairly light and does not break down. For my pines in development I use a mix of 80% dry stall and ~20% fir bark.

Also it can be reused. It just needs to be re-sifted.