The information the suppliers have given is the company supplying them Maidenwell known as Maidenwell diatomite Australia had gone bust. Then a new company seems to have formed called Maidenwell Diatomite with a new website and new contact details.
http://maidenwelldiatomite.com/
If you call these people they say they had a take over wich I can imagine is a nice way of saying we would have gone broke if it did not get taken over. Aparently it is all the same people working there but they have a slightly different name different website and new address and contact details.

It was a very scary venture when the normal suppliers dried up In NSW for the people that have now gotten used to using it.

I got a bit confused with what you said about the kitty litter diatomite KC but now I understand what you are saying I think I tried a diatomite product for collecting oil under the BBQ and it broke down as well.
I have used Chandlers Kitty litter and can reckomend experimenting with it. It is made from appugulite clay.
The diatomite from Maidenwell seems to work very well too but KC has experimented with it alot more than I have.

Just got our first shipment of double line hard Akadama in like KC said and I am impressed with first impressions. Although it seems easy to sqaush when wet I can imagine that it works really well if handled correctly.

Hey Bretts
I have not tried to squash the Akadama when wet so cannot comment, ( I thought about that today thos :-)).

Clinton Nesci advised me last night that they have ordered a delivery of Diatomite from Mount Sylvia, and delivery is imminent, so when it arrives I will be using it instead of Maidenwell but the performance should be the same I hope

Ken

Forgot to add th URL for Mt Sylvia http://www.mtsylviadiatomite.com.au/

Ken

The diatomite, in my opinion is better then the akadama, believe it or not. I have used both and still do so. I use diatomite for almost everything. The korean expanded clay has been available in Sydney for years, but not any more, it is identical to the japanese akadama (hard). It certainly doesnt go soft or mushy when wet, dont know whats happening there but it doesnt sound good!

The new owner of maidenwell is the same as the previous owner. They did run into some difficulties and supply was interupted but is back on track now and hopefully will remain as such, i have a pellet just in case! I sieve the fines from it as it can clog up with too much in the mix, always use a mask when doing so as the silica dust is very fine. Dont throw the fines away, put them around your house plants, they love it.

cool thanks Peter.
Intersting re the akadama and diatomite comparo. It will be interesting what I discover over summer

The bags of Diatomite I got had very few fines in them so neve bothered to sieve, Just washed it well after potting

One thing we have not mentioned it the costs of each soil mix I have ( Aussie Dollar)
Diatomite and Zeolite = $35 for 60 litres
Ray Nesci commercial mix = $11 for 15 litres
Akadama = $16 for 12 litres

Cost for 60L of each =
$35
$44
$80

Ken

It certainly doesnt go soft or mushy when wet, dont know whats happening there but it doesnt sound good!

I think you misunderstand what I said
I did not say soft and mushy
I said

Although it seems easy to sqaush when wet I can imagine that it works really well if handled correctly

Easy is comparitive I guess
I was unable to squash with my fingers but I am able too with my nail. If you get a handfull of it and squeeze it can crumble when pushing one againts the other. Since the instructions we where given state to be carefull not to sieve too hard and not to stab too hard with a chopstick when repotting I gather this all makes sense.
This is the best quality double line hard brand so I don't believe there is anything wrong with it. If yours doesn't do that maybe you don't have the good stuff?
What brand akadama are you using?

I'm sold on the diatomaceous earth. Thanks for everyone feedback!

After the 1st harsh critique I did some further research for us believers and found out some good stuff.

I spoke to my uncle last night, (he worked for grumman as an engineer designing satellites for 37yrs)
They would use this in their garages and labs.
He told me its firing produces an extremely strong molecular structure far more uniform hence superior to any thing found in nature (due to the controlled setting when it it made). This gives it a longer life, better water/mess absorption, and an even release of it moisture!

Have a good day everyone!
Anthony

Shoot what does a rocket scientist know about growing bonsai

Like I said previously, please don't use akadama. It would be a waste for you to do so. I personally don't give "poop" (don't want to be banned) about where material comes from, I don't base my decisions on "faith" or "belief" but on performance. I also don't plant trees in pure akadama.

I also think that you will soon come out and "discover" how great "pine bark" is for potting mixes, HB101 is the elixer of life, the art of making pots out of toilet paper and flour, that clip and grow is the only way to really make a bonsai, repotting and grafting are "artificial", that too many bonsai look too japanese and that one can make a root hook out of a used fork. Oh, and let's not forget about that long standing internet battle on "what is cheaper than cut paste" or even more moronic, "cut paste doesn't work and really slows down wound healing", all posited by folks who really haven't been doing bonsai.

Cheers,
John

I agree with the pine bark 100%! I just bought some from Norhtstar bonsai. It is excelent quality and I would definately recommend it to anyone who needs it. It has that aroma like a fine pipe tobbacco! Also for the " frugal" it was only 5.99 for 5 quarts. I checked two or three other sites and looked on eBay for a day and that was the best price I found.

I also agree about what works rather than belief. One of the reasons I started bonsai because other art fourms are crowed with hipsters who spend more time on their outfit than their "art". (at least in NY) But with two years in bonsai I find very few people who are willing to try anything out side of what they read or see in a book. When an art fourm is practiced with little or no interest to break out from tradition you stay a hobbiest rather than an artist. And i'm sure people are content with that bit it's not for me!!!

And your right what would a rocket scientist know about bonsai but us Italians can grow anything!!!