seramis growing

[SJW]

Could you possibly advise me which cat litter you are using and from which shop in the UK

The usual one quoted is Tesco non-clumping low dust. It's in a pink package. https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/265235247?sc_cmp=ppc

There's also this one which I haven't used and I think the clay granules are slightly larger: http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/lightweight-non-clumping-pink-cat-litter
The link I posted above has more info on brands available in different countries incl UK.

Gabriela - you won't go far wrong with a 50:50 mix but you can increase the % of cat litter. As an experiment, I have had cyclamen seed germinate in pure cat litter but not so easy to grow on unless watering/feeding is spot on.

[Gabriela]

Gabriela - you won't go far wrong with a 50:50 mix but you can increase the % of cat litter. As an experiment, I have had cyclamen seed germinate in pure cat litter but not so easy to grow on unless watering/feeding is spot on.

Thanks! Tomorrow I go cat litter shopping  I am curious about the contents of the bags, probably I will take 2-3 brands to see the difference in the clay particles.

[SJW]

Thanks! Tomorrow I go cat litter shopping  I am curious about the contents of the bags, probably I will take 2-3 brands to see the difference in the clay particles.

If you can't get the right sort of moler clay based, non-clumping cat litter where you are then Turface may be an alternative http://www.turface.com/products/infield-conditioners/mvp

[Yann]

yeah Turface is sold in whole north america

[Michael J Campbell]

[Gabriela]

If you can't get the right sort of moler clay based, non-clumping cat litter where you are then Turface may be an alternative http://www.turface.com/products/infield-conditioners/mvp

yeah Turface is sold in whole north america

Seems that you guys know every plant related product that sells on this planet! 
After a closer inspection, only one brand had the non-clumping stuff so I bought the last two bags of it; looks Ok in my inexperienced opinion. It should make it for a better mix than what I've used before.

[fermi de Sousa]

If you can't get the right sort of moler clay based, non-clumping cat litter where you are then Turface may be an alternative

I found this on-line:https://crataegus.com/2013/11/24/life-without-turface/
Makes no difference to me as I doubt either is available around here!
cheers
fermi

[SJW]

I found this on-line:https://crataegus.com/2013/11/24/life-without-turface/
Makes no difference to me as I doubt either is available around here!
cheers
fermi

Fermi - thought this was interesting from the website link I gave at the beginning of this thread:

Grant Bowie, the curator of the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia has mailed me to give his thoughts and recommendations with regards catlitter/diatomite for bonsai."There are two main sources of Diatomite in Australia; one that has already been noted in this article is Maidenwell. Sage Horticultural of Melbourne carry it in stock. The other is Mt Sylvia Diatomite which is available in Sydney at Enfield Produce.At the moment it is 38 to 40 degrees celcius outside but in winter it can be -6 or -8 degrees. It can be very wet like this year or very dry as per usual. I am still experimenting but not inclined to go 100% Diatomite; but as a blend with others. The tests so far don’t support use of it on its own in Canberra anyhow. A blend used very successfully by the best (IMHO) bonsai grower in Oz is 50% Maidenwell Diatomite, 25% Coco Peat and 25% Pine Bark Mini Nuggets(graded 5mm to 8mm).I am using 40% Diatomite, 20% Coarse Gravel or Zeolite, 20% Coco Peat and 20% pine Bark Mini nuggets. I will progressively try higher rates of Diatomite but steady as she goes."

[Yann]

I've also make trials with zeolithe, it's a very dry material, you need to add humus element (coir, turf).

[fermi de Sousa]

The plot thickens
Maidenwell mine apparently closed in 2012 but back then someone posted on a Bonsai forum that they could get Diatomite through Sage Hort. in Melbourne.
Diatomite not on the Sage Hort. product list so I sent an email and got told
"We don’t sell Diatomite, we have an alternative which is called Turface.
It is used by bonsai growers & propagators, It sells for $ 40.00 in a 40 litre bag ( 22 Kgs )"
How bizarre! Not sure how it compares price-wise but not sure yet that I want to try it
cheers
fermi

[Yann]

Here's the mix used for 2 years, i also added osmocote fertiliser, potash.