Bentonite?
- Thread starter Ninja420
- Start date
The stuff I used was called agricultural bentonite..that's all I know about the type. What I do know is that it will have an impact on your soil depending on the amount you add. I added it to get another good clay in the soil since I use a lot of native topsoils with a high percentage of sand.
Here's an example of the widely accepted use.
http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jas.2007.2641.2645&org=11
.
Here's an example of the widely accepted use.
http://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=jas.2007.2641.2645&org=11
.
Last edited:
E
elmanito
Most of the time it is sodium based with Al & K in it.You can use 3% of it in potting soil.
Namaste
Namaste
canniption
Active member
if you use azomite,it already has bentonite in it for anti-caking.when i was a driller we used it to go through water pockets.
Holy thread resurrection... is anybody using Bentonite to fix phosphorous in their souls, are there any disadvantages to adding bentonite?
Or any other clays I can amend organic soil for improving CEC, anybody???
I have Vitiben bentonite that is a filtering agent for wine http://www.bentonite.com/bpm/wine-and-juice-clarification.page?node-id=hlf0nlnd
It is granular, not a powder, so I can't mix it into the soil. But maybe I can dissolve it and water into the soil in solution? When moistened it becomes a sticky mass like wet soap.
I have Vitiben bentonite that is a filtering agent for wine http://www.bentonite.com/bpm/wine-and-juice-clarification.page?node-id=hlf0nlnd
It is granular, not a powder, so I can't mix it into the soil. But maybe I can dissolve it and water into the soil in solution? When moistened it becomes a sticky mass like wet soap.
too much bentonite is no good, i wouldn't go over 2% of soil mix, and make sure it's finely crushed.
i collected a bunch from a naturally occuring bentonite area leased by BLM. 2$ for 2 cu yds, had to collect it myself, but the price was right.
i used fabric pots outside, greased the insides of the fabric pots before filling with soil. at harvest time the roots had filed the bentonite area densely because the bentonite held so much water. plants did well, no ill effects.
i read someplace that the calcium bentonite is the best to use, was unable to find out WHAT kind i used.
i collected a bunch from a naturally occuring bentonite area leased by BLM. 2$ for 2 cu yds, had to collect it myself, but the price was right.
i used fabric pots outside, greased the insides of the fabric pots before filling with soil. at harvest time the roots had filed the bentonite area densely because the bentonite held so much water. plants did well, no ill effects.
i read someplace that the calcium bentonite is the best to use, was unable to find out WHAT kind i used.
Aha very interesting was your intention also to fix phosphorus?
not particularly
i just read it was a good soil amendment at 1-3% of soil mix, clays are important part of soil, bentonite is a "good clay" from my understanding.
also it's my understanding that i have enough P source amendments in my soil.... like fishbone meal
Tactical Farmer
Member
Red lake earth brand makes a food grade bentonite + DE mix from the animal feed store around here.
Seems NAPA stores are switching from DE and now selling Montmorillonite clay for drysweep.
Pretty sure microbe man said he uses sodium bentonite.
Seems NAPA stores are switching from DE and now selling Montmorillonite clay for drysweep.
Pretty sure microbe man said he uses sodium bentonite.
Yes I believe MM did say that!
While I have not tried any Bentonite clay as of yet.
I do have a eye on calcium bentonite.
This is the kind that I would choose especially over sodium I mean who needs more salt in their mix?
As far as fixing phosphorus only the calcium bentonite would do that being calcium and phosphorus will flocculate (bind together) but not to worry the beasties will eat on both the calcium and the P making both assumable by the roots.
A peep can find calcium bentonite @ soil minerals.com.
They carry almost everything a organic grower could want or need and price very reasonable I think.
Not very many places that you can fill a organic list at one place and with good prices.
No I don't work for soil minerals but I consider Michael Astera (its his site ) one of the greats in mineral science.
He also has written a book that will make the thickess of heads understand how minerals work in organic gardening principles. "The ideal soil"
PS did I tell you
I am Michales #1 fan!!!
Ratz
I do have a eye on calcium bentonite.
This is the kind that I would choose especially over sodium I mean who needs more salt in their mix?
As far as fixing phosphorus only the calcium bentonite would do that being calcium and phosphorus will flocculate (bind together) but not to worry the beasties will eat on both the calcium and the P making both assumable by the roots.
A peep can find calcium bentonite @ soil minerals.com.
They carry almost everything a organic grower could want or need and price very reasonable I think.
Not very many places that you can fill a organic list at one place and with good prices.
No I don't work for soil minerals but I consider Michael Astera (its his site ) one of the greats in mineral science.
He also has written a book that will make the thickess of heads understand how minerals work in organic gardening principles. "The ideal soil"
PS did I tell you
I am Michales #1 fan!!!
Ratz
