Diatomite at orchid festival

[guqin]

Did anyone buy the diatomite that was on sale at the last orchid festival at the botanic gardens? I was wondering if it could be used in growing CPs?

 

[neilsingapore]

I don't want to appear stupid but can you give me a clue as to what diatomite is? Obviously I didn't buy any at the orchid festival,...............sounds like a type of dynamite!!!

 

[guqin]

Oh, sorry about that and no, it has not blown up in my face yet!

Diatomite is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of the fossilized remains of unicellular fresh water plants known as diatoms. Over the millennia the diatoms have been compressed to create one of the most effective growing mediums available. It is being marketed for growing orchids. I was wondering if it is stable and lacking in nutrients for CPs.