Granule Size of Inorganic Soil?

Hi Folks,

I'm in a bit of a pickle at the moment. :pinch: I'm in the middle of sifting my Diatomatious Earth and I don't know what size the granules should be for potting purposes. My colander has holes from 3mm to 5mm and when I'm done sifting there's very little left in the colander. I have a screen sifter with holes measuring 2mm ~ is this the one I should be using? :huh: Please help!

Hi Leslie. Do you think plants really care about the grain-size ? The grains are indications. So you could say: A grain of 2mm is good. Someone else will tell you 4 mm is perfect. I believe the mixture of finesse is best; Allowing holes to drain the soil, yet not so thick as to allow the roots to dry out too quickly.

Hey Leslie,
Just make sure the granules are big enough so they don't clog the drainage screen at the bottom of your pot. When I sift mine I'm always surprised at how little is actually big enough to use. I sift mine through a plastic colander that has holes a little bigger than the drainage screen.
Lance

Thank you Jelle. I like that..."the mixture of finesse". You make a very good point about the roots.

Thank you Lance. If it wasn't for those odd 5mm holes, my aluminum strainer would be perfect. ...sigh...

It was midnight lastnight and here I was still straining my DE. I had baby seedlings that *had* to be potted!!!

Pinkham wrote: Hey Leslie,
Just make sure the granules are big enough so they don't clog the drainage screen at the bottom of your pot. When I sift mine I'm always surprised at how little is actually big enough to use. I sift mine through a plastic colander that has holes a little bigger than the drainage screen.
Lance

I find that a few pebbles around the screen work well..

Actually...I did put down a layer of crushed, red clay (pot) gravel in the bottom of the dish first.