I was sceptical about granite grit and dust , but if you have backbulbs of cymbidium orchids, you just stick them halfway into a pot of the stuff and they are 95% guaranteed to grow ( even though it sets like cement). Angela from a sunny spring day in Albany, Western Australia (lovely t-shirt weather) ----- Original Message ----- From: Linda Foulis <plantlady@beautifulblooms.ab.ca> To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> Sent: Wednesday, November 09, 2005 10:45 AM Subject: Re: [pbs] granite grit > > > < soil scientist enquired if my pot's top dressing was granite gravel. It > is (grower and developer grades of chicken grit) and he mentioned the fact > that there was no wonder I didn't need to feed micronutrients because all 15 > the plants need are made available in the right quantities from the top > dressing.> > > At the risk of sounding like a complete moron, I really have to question the > above written by > John Lonsdale, last evening. And my apologies before hand when someone > proves to me why this can be so. > How can micronutrients be derived from granite grit? Especially in a > growing season, or even 10 growing seasons for that matter. I can maybe see > it if using a sandstone grit, if there is such a thing. > All the granite I've ever come across has been an extremely hard rock and > not inclined to erosion or break down in which micronutrients would be > released, at least not in my life time. > > Scientifically I am a moron as defined in any dictionary, however this > really stuck in my mind and I would like to learn how it is possible, > especially in the case of granite. The bag of granite grit #2 that I just > picked up has been well washed and there is very little granite dust which > could be the source of micronutrients, but even then what would it take to > break down the granite dust to release those micronutrients? > > I had to ask, I've been wrong before and can only stand to learn something > when proven wrong! > > Linda > Okotoks, AB > Canada > > BRRRR! Snow is here to stay for a bit, the cold frame is almost packed up > for winter, lets hope a deer > doesn't walk through it! > > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php