Ive heard Diatomite can be bad for orchids, whats the deal?
As recently reported in the September 2006 Issue of Orchids – The Bulletin of the American Orchid Society, diatomite absorbs salt and salt is injurious to orchid roots. If diatomite is used, be aware that it will retain fertilizer salts and is reported to not respond to conventional leaching techniques. If orchid mixes containing diatomite are re-used, we strongly recommend that the mix be thoroughly soaked and drained repeatedly (minimum of 3 times) to make sure salts from fertilizing are no longer embedded in the diatomite. Test for salts before reusing. Some orchid mixes made by other companies are made with heavy concentrations of diatomite, but not mixes from rePotme.com. We have never used diatomite in our orchid mixes because we prefer to use ingredients that we have used successfully and have established reputations as safe and healthy for orchids and other prized plants.
