3Star Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 I have finally managed to get hold of some Melcourt Growbark Pine and I now intend to start repotting my plants in to Mike King's suggested mix of Growbark Pine/granite grit/perlite. Mike uses 2-4mm grade grit and I was wondering if anyone has any advice on a suitable brand and where I might obtain some without paying a fortune in postage ! I have looked in some local garden centres and although they stock potting grit (which is the required grade) it isn't granite. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Krelbourn Posted February 7, 2018 Report Share Posted February 7, 2018 5 hours ago, 3Star said: I've used RHS potting grit from Homebase, about £4 for a reasonable sized sack, I'm not a geologist, but it looks like crushed granite to me. If it wasn't so dark/ cold/ like a quagmire I'd go down the garden and check what it says on the sack . Hope this helps Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 If it's the Kelkay stuff it seems to say quartzite on the bag but granite on the website! I'm doing some soil experiments and potted some flytraps and sarracenia up in a variety of mixes back in August, including some with the Kelkay potting grit. Everything seems fine in it so far, but need to see how they do when the growing season starts. I'm not really sure what the advantage is in swapping 50% of the perlite for potting grit is though personally. I'm leaning towards 25% Melcourt / 25% peat / 50% perlite, but like I say we'll see how these do compared with mixes with potting grit, 100% Melcourt etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenofeden Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 I use grit and or perlite with melcourt, doesn’t really matter. Usually perlite as it’s easier to get. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Krelbourn Posted February 8, 2018 Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 To confirm the bag says" lime free washed quartzite grit". The product is sold as RHS but also carries the Kelkay logo. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Star Posted February 8, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2018 Thanks for the replies folks, especially you Phil for braving the elements and checking what it said on the bag ! When I googled granite grit the RHS stuff did come up but looking at images of it on the internet I couldn't see where it said granite on the packaging so was a little unsure whether it was or not. I think that has now been answered. I will probably trawl a few more of the local garden centres to see what I can find and if I can't turn anything up go down the route you have Stephen and just go with the perlite. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ahrens Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 It's good stuff, this granite grit. I have recently bought the RHS branded lime-free sharp sand. I haven't done the fizz test so I hope it is alright. I am not totally convinced that a bit of lime in the sand does any harm, I think it is possible that hard water is the real killer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsty Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 I have never seen granite grit for sale anywhere, all the stuff I have seen is either quartzite or flint. I've been in touch with Kelkay, and although I am yet to receive the specific technical info, it seems that yes, officially an amount of lime is allowed in sand and it can still be called lime-free. Out of all the sharp sands I have tested with acid, Kelkay RHS lime-free grit sand fizzes the most! Very surprisingly, the best sharp sand I have found is Diall from B&Q. It almost completely does not fizz, and has a very, very low content of superfine material ..... Sand, UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Star Posted February 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 I managed to get two 25kgs bags of granite chippings from a local builders merchants for less than a fiver ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsty Posted February 20, 2018 Report Share Posted February 20, 2018 2 hours ago, 3Star said: I managed to get two 25kgs bags of granite chippings from a local builders merchants for less than a fiver ! What was the size of the particles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Star Posted February 21, 2018 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2018 The size is 6mm which is probably slightly larger than I was looking for but to be honest isn't too bad. It was either use it at this size or get the lump hammer out so I decided to stick with it Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mushroom13 Posted May 4, 2021 Report Share Posted May 4, 2021 (edited) Thanks for your advice; I had the same problem now. I will try quartzite grit RHS; I hope it will be ok. To tell the truth, I didn't know that granite can be used for these purposes. Indeed, it is a rather ancient material that has shown its best side for many millennia. It is actually used in many industries because it is very durable. Some years ago, I ordered for our kitchen such a countertop http://countertopshq.com/dallas-white-granite/. Indeed, I remained satisfied because it doesn't absorb dyes, is shockproof, and withstands high temperatures. This is one of the most practical materials Edited May 7, 2021 by Mushroom13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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