Bugs and Discoloured Leaves

[Dr. Babnik]

Just translated diatomaceous earth.
I have it. I mix it with my soil.

How much should I apply as top dressing, @Waira and @Spanglish?

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

Just translated diatomaceous earth.
I have it. I mix it with my soil.
How much should I apply as top dressing,

Don't fear the DE I apply it very liberally, to the point that my soil is barely visible. As you water, it will eventually disappear into your soil profile.

 

[Dr. Babnik]

Don't fear the DE I apply it very liberally, to the point that my soil is barely visible. As you water, it will eventually disappear into your soil profile.

I'm not afraid!! Read my motto in my signature.


I have it in my soil kit. It's among the spices for my soil.

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

Right on Right on Right on!!!

 

[Spanglish]

Have never used it pal, but looks like Red is in the know

Don't breath the stuff in though as it can do a nasty number on your lungs, food grade DE has many great digestive properties and is great for keeping internal human parasites at bay, a spoon every morning in a glass of juice along with probiotics and CBD oil has all but cured my IBS.

 

[Dr. Babnik]

Have never used it pal, but looks like Red is in the know

Don't breath the stuff in though as it can do a nasty number on your lungs, food grade DE has many great digestive properties and is great for keeping internal human parasites at bay, a spoon every morning in a glass of juice along with probiotics and CBD oil has all but cured my IBS.

It's food grade. My mum eats the stuff claiming miracles for nails and hair.

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

Amen, @Spanglish.
Food grade is an excellent dietary supplement.
I mentioned the hazards of inhaling the stuff in an earlier post, but it can't be stressed enough. Diatoms leave behind a wicked sharp exoskeleton, and it will do to our lungs exactly what it does to a bugs soft parts.
Always wear a mask or particle respirator.

 

[Waira]

yup, shake out enough to cover the surface from view, it'll settle in as watering happens...
dietary??! WTF, this stuff is essentially SiO2-- glass! This is how you kill somebody with food- It must be a different source, with CaCO3 instead..?

 

[Spanglish]

yup, shake out enough to cover the surface from view, it'll settle in as watering happens...
dietary??! WTF, this stuff is essentially SiO2-- glass! This is how you kill somebody with food- It must be a different source, with CaCO3 instead..?

Yep the food grade DE is supposed to have a range of health benefits, and as mentioned earlier has worked great for me as part of my anti IBS regime.

Here are some links to the info on the health benefits and differences of food grade type of DE, looks to be the fact that it is uncalcined and therefore low in crystalline silica <2% , whereas in other types of DE the heating in the calcination process converts the silicon dioxide into crystalline silica leaving levels at 60%-70% , god knows as far from a scientist i am lol

http://www.absorbentproductsltd.com/food-grade-diatomaceous-earth-vs-pool-grade.html
http://diatomaceous.org/
http://www.enkivillage.com/diatomaceous-earth-food-grade-side-effects.html
https://authoritynutrition.com/what-is-diatomaceous-earth/

 

[Renaissance Redneck]

WTF, this stuff is essentially SiO2-- glass! This is how you kill somebody with food- It must be a different source, with CaCO3 instead..?

Here's a pretty good breakdown on the two main forms of DE:
http://www.absorbentproductsltd.com/food-grade-diatomaceous-earth-vs-pool-grade.html
Sio2 is amorphous in food grade. The really nasty stuff is calcined, and absolutely NOT safe for ingestion or use around a garden. The heat treatment changes the composition from about 1% crystalline to something like 50 or 60%. It's used primarily for pool filters, and will put a serious hurt on you
Never ever ever use pool grade DE for anything but a pool filter.
Even with the food grade, whether white or brown, I mask up before applying (just 'cause I'm paranoid doesn't mean things aren't out to get me)