- We recommend that you soak the diatomite in water for about an hour to allow it to absorb water and reduce dust before you use it. Add 1/4 teaspoon of SuperThrive or KLN to the solution if available.
- Diatomite can be utilized in a variety of ways. For example:
a) It can be substituted for the bark in a mix
b) It can be added as an additional component of your mix.
c) It can be used alone as the growing medium.
As most orchid enthusiasts know - growing conditions - be it on the windowsill, under various artificial light systems, or in a greenhouse will vary widely for individual to individual. The same is also true for light levels, temperatures, humidity, fertilizing, and watering schedules used in our diverse growing conditions. As a result, successful growers develop mixes that fit their particular conditions, preferences and procedures. The following mixes are suggested as a starting point. We strongly encourage you to make up a few variations that you think will work for you and experiment with them to see what works best. We suggest that when using Diatomite in your mix- think larger, looser, less watering and less frequent repotting.
Of course, the alternative to modifying your current mix is switching to Aussie-Gold Orchid Mix.
Aussie-Gold® Orchid Mix comes in 4 sizes:
| Regular- this mix is made with medium and fine diatomite and it the most commonly used size which can be used for most orchids as well as hydroponics and house plants. This size is ideal for Cattleyas, Phalaneopsis, and other larger rooted plants. |
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| Paph/Phrag- (P/P)- is made with fine and extra fine diatomite and is ideal for the slipper orchids as well as smaller rooted orchids such as Miltonias, Masdavalias, Plurothallids, and others as well as many different house plants such as African Violets. |
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| Seedling- is made with extra fine diatomite and is also suited compost, seedlings, as well as for smaller rooted orchids like P/P. |
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| Large- is made with large and medium diatomite and it used for Vandaceous and other larger rooted plants as well as specimen plants. |
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Small mix |
Medium mix |
Large mix |
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For your finer rooted plants and seedlings |
This is the ‘starting point’
for most plants in 31/2” pots and larger
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For standard cattleyas, vandas, etc. |
Small bark or Coconut Husk Chips (CHC)
#1 or #2 Perlite
#1 or #2 Diatomite (2-7mm)
Small Charcoal
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Medium bark or CHC
#3 or #4 Perlite
#3 Diatomite (7-15mm)
Medium charcoal+Peat Moss (optional)
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Large bark or CHC
#4 Perlite
#3 and #4 Diatomite (7-15mm, 15-25mm)
Large Charcoal
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| For Masdevallias & Plureothallids |
We grow our phrags in straight #3 diatomite
in water trays or on our flow table. |
We grow many of our cattleyas, phals and
vandas in straight #3 Diatomite. |
Fine tree fern
#1 or #2 Diatomite
#1 or #2 Perlite |
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Note: We want to hear about your particular growing conditions
and the mixes that work for you with your various plants.
Drop us an email and let us know what is working for you! |
