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Granule Size of Inorganic Soil? 12 years 6 months ago #1910

  • Leslie
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Hi Folks,

I'm in a bit of a pickle at the moment. :pinch: I'm in the middle of sifting my Diatomatious Earth and I don't know what size the granules should be for potting purposes. My colander has holes from 3mm to 5mm and when I'm done sifting there's very little left in the colander. I have a screen sifter with holes measuring 2mm ~ is this the one I should be using? :huh: Please help!

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Re: Granule Size of Inorganic Soil? 12 years 6 months ago #1923

  • leatherback
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Hi Leslie. Do you think plants really care about the grain-size ? The grains are indications. So you could say: A grain of 2mm is good. Someone else will tell you 4 mm is perfect. I believe the mixture of finesse is best; Allowing holes to drain the soil, yet not so thick as to allow the roots to dry out too quickly.

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Re: Granule Size of Inorganic Soil? 12 years 6 months ago #1931

  • Pinkham
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Hey Leslie,
Just make sure the granules are big enough so they don't clog the drainage screen at the bottom of your pot. When I sift mine I'm always surprised at how little is actually big enough to use. I sift mine through a plastic colander that has holes a little bigger than the drainage screen.
Lance

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Re: Granule Size of Inorganic Soil? 12 years 6 months ago #1932

  • Leslie
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Thank you Jelle. I like that..."the mixture of finesse". ;) You make a very good point about the roots.

Thank you Lance. If it wasn't for those odd 5mm holes, my aluminum strainer would be perfect. :unsure: ...sigh...

It was midnight lastnight and here I was still straining my DE. I had baby seedlings that *had* to be potted!!!

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Re: Granule Size of Inorganic Soil? 12 years 6 months ago #1948

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Hey Leslie,
Just make sure the granules are big enough so they don't clog the drainage screen at the bottom of your pot. When I sift mine I'm always surprised at how little is actually big enough to use. I sift mine through a plastic colander that has holes a little bigger than the drainage screen.
Lance


I find that a few pebbles around the screen work well..

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Re: Granule Size of Inorganic Soil? 12 years 6 months ago #1949

  • Leslie
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Actually...I did put down a layer of crushed, red clay (pot) gravel in the bottom of the dish first. ;)

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