Diatomite Nursery Grade 0.6 to 2 mm 12kg

Diatomite is often used in the garden as a soil additive or as an alternative growing medium for certain orchids and other plants. It also has many other uses.

Nursery Grade: 0.6-2.0 mm

As the name suggests, the "Nursery grade" is very popular as an ingredient in potting mixes. It acts as a wetting agent holding water and slowly releasing it to the young seedlings. As importantly, it provides plant available silica to the young plant.

Silica is present in plants in amounts equivalent to those of such macronutrient elements as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Silica, like calcium, strengthens cell walls resulting in more robust and efficient plants. Silica improves brix levels and flavour. Plants produce more flowers and pollen is more viable resulting in a better fruit set. The CSIRO in Townsville have demonstrated that big increases in yield can be achieved from sugar cane by adding plant-available silica to the soil.

In the soil, soluble silica in the form of silicic acid plays a number of important roles. It negates aluminium, manganese and heavy metal toxicity, improves the plant availability of calcium and phosphorous and increases the number of beneficial soil organisms. It also improves the cation exchange capacity and conductivity.

Silica is deposited as opaline silica in plant tissue. This toughens the plant making it more resistant to fungal attack. A high silica content also makes the plant less palatable to insects.