Zeolite and other non-organic substrates

Hi again (Hope I'm not posting too often), Have any of you worked with zeolite as a soil? I found a site in Italian with some examples of that which seem to be working very well, but I can't read any of it, and web translators aren't much help on those either ( http://forum.cactus-co.com/viewtopic.php?t=4765&highlight=zeolite ). How about any other 100% non-organic soils? I am thinking about switching to a perlite/scoria or a pure scoria soil mix for the types of cactus that are root rot prone. If anyone has experience with any of these, and also with what kind of nutrients or fertilizers should be added, please add in your experiences.
Cheers, IX

I use 0.5~2.0 mm Zeolite, mixed 30% into seedrising pottingmix in marcket for cactus seeds germination. I use Zeolite insted of sand. The particle of Zeolite can holed water by itself and allows less frequence of watering than that of using sand.

I use 100% of crashed and sifted scoria as a rooting medium e.g. rooting of degrafted plant.

Non-organic soil is the best for cactus propagation, I believe.
Unfortunately I can not find good non-organic soils in Australia.

The appearance of Zeolite in the Italian site is quite differnt from the Zeolite sold in Australia.

Hanazono

Thank you Hanazono, that helps me with my decision. I have been buying bags of scoria from Bunnings and then crushing it with a sledgehammer, then sifting it into the various sizes. Whatever doesn't make it through the coarsest sifter, gets crushed again. I had been using a mix of sand, perlite and seed raising mix to grow my seeds, and it worked great, except the sciarid flies were causing problems over time. I am going to have to experiment with different mixes until I find one that is 100% non-organic for my seedlings.

For rot prone species on their own roots I use the following;

River Sand - very coarse type and I give it a quick wash to get rid of any sediment that can cause it to "set" and go hard.

Red Scoria - I get the 10mm variety and break it up a little
Crushed "Blue metal" rock about 2mm
Slow release ferts - I crush them up as I have found larger pieces can cause rot


I have used perlite and vermiculite in the past but have found them both to be unnecessary.

HN

P.S Hanazono where do you get your Zeolite ?

I like the perlite, except for when it floats to the top when watering

Hellonasty

I get Zeolite from a local nursery in Adelaide.
I use 0.5~2 mm and 2~4 mm sizes, in 25 kg bags.
2~4 mm size is used for top dressing of asterias potting.

I think the Zeolite is packed by Zeolite Australia Pty Ltd in NSW.

Hanazono

Ok thanks for that.

IXOXI, I use scoria in my mix at 50/50 with a standard potting mix. I see you are located at "Earth" so depending on where you actually are, you might be able to get the product I use which will save you crushing larger scoria.

Essendon Quarries have scoria called "GF Product" which contains a range of sizes from about 8 mil down. I fyou are lucky enough to be close to them, you can buy this stuff for $35 a tonne. (I had to pay $168 a tonne to get it to South Australia!)

I sift and grade this product into 5 different sizes and then mix it at a size rate to suit me. About 20% of the product is dust and therefore useless, unless you have a need for dust that is!

You can find the details for Essendon Quarries at essendonquarries.com.au if you want to give them a call.

Hi Eric, I have it listed that I live on 'Earth' because I have homes in multiple countries, with most of my time being spent in Australia, followed by the USA. BTW, your website is looking great, I'll be putting in a big order probably in the middle of next month when things here settle down

Hi IXOXI. Glad to share a place on Earth with you then! I used to use Perlite but got tired of it coming to the top too although a good layer of scoria on top stops that from happening.

I'm also not keen on the stuff flying around the place with very little breeze when repotting (dry) plants as I have a Grandson that often visits me in my growing house, just to play with the mister I use. He has a habit of eating the inedible (usually paper, chalk and sand though).

Like HN, I've used vermiculite as well as Perlite but found they are both an unnecessary cost.

Glad you like the website. Lots of work, very little reward monetary wise but at least it's relevant to Oz and gives beginners an insight into Lithops. I'll keep my eyes open for you as I try to be a little more generous with ACF members.