fuller's earth

Discussion in 'Soils, Fertilizers and Composting' started by ginkgo nut, May 16, 2007.

  1. ginkgo nut

    ginkgo nut Member

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    I was looking for something to loosen up a container soil mix and accidentally bought fuller's earth ( I was trying to get traction grit). The guy at the farm supply place said that it was fine for that application. Well, a year later, I don't think it was such a good idea. The stuff seems to have caused those pots to drain poorly in heavy rain and it seems to be clumping tagether like wet pottery clay. What is this stuff, and is it good to have in a container/potting mix?
     
  2. Anne58

    Anne58 Active Member

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    Here is the Wikipedia definition:
    Fuller's earth is any nonplastic clay or claylike earthy material that can be used to decolorize, filter, and purify animal, mineral, and vegetable oils and greases.

    Not the sort of thing to use in gardening . . . . .
     
  3. ginkgo nut

    ginkgo nut Member

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    Yikes...what have I done?
     
  4. Anne58

    Anne58 Active Member

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    Well, if you have sandy soil where you are, it will be a little less sandy and a bit more clayish! :o)
     

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