FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I read somewhere recently to not use silica sand used for succulents in CP soil. Is this correct and if so, which sand should I be using in my medium? This is what I have been using: https://www.amazon.com/5-7-lbCoarse-San ... 151&sr=8-5

Give what you already have the vinegar test (cover a small amount of sand with vinegar and see if it bubbles. Pure silica sand won't bubble.)

If the sand is just silica (no other minerals), then it's chemically inert. It won't react with the acidic soil or water. evenwind's vinegar test is a good way to confirm this.

I used this sand in the past, when I didn't have so many plants. Now I buy big bags of filter sand from a local farm-supply store.

Mike, you're using the standard #20 grit pool filter sand?

I am using the same stuff as Mike linked to. If it is pure silica should I continue to use?

If you've got it on hand already, I'd use it. It apparently is good stuff and the coarseness of it a good thing.

Intheswamp wrote: ↑Tue Aug 01, 2023 1:22 pm Mike, you're using the standard #20 grit pool filter sand?

The stuff that I use is #12 filter sand, pretty coarse. It's from a company called Southern Products & Silica Co., located in the Sandhills region (naturally) of North Carolina.

Oh well, I was hoping you were going to give regular #20 a passing grade. All the filter sand that I've managed to find around here is 20 grit.
Thanks for the reply, though!

Intheswamp wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 4:18 am Oh well, I was hoping you were going to give regular #20 a passing grade.

A few years ago, I got a flytrap from a grower in New Jersey. He had mixed #20 white silica sand in the soil, and the plant grew well. I've seen wild flytraps growing in sand so fine it was like powder. #20 pool filter sand is acceptable (much better than no sand at all, in my opinion).

Before I do my next growmix mixing I'll grab a bag of pool sand. Thanks for the feedback.

I have been using a mix of CaribSea Super Naturals Crystal River + Peace River. It's a little pricey but it's widely available and seems to work fine.

dizzle wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 2:43 pm I have been using a mix of CaribSea Super Naturals Crystal River + Peace River. It's a little pricey but it's widely available and seems to work fine.

Is this the stuff you use or the coarser stuff? I notice they have a couple different ones.
https://www.amazon.com/Carib-Sea-Super- ... B00C892B8K

In my experience Ceph leaf pullings

andynorth wrote:

dizzle wrote: ↑Thu Aug 03, 2023 2:43 pm I have been using a mix of CaribSea Super Naturals Crystal River + Peace River. It's a little pricey but it's widely available and seems to work fine.

Is this the stuff you use or the coarser stuff? I notice they have a couple different ones.
https://www.amazon.com/Carib-Sea-Super- ... B00C892B8K

I use a 50/50 mix of these 2:
https://www.amazon.ca/Caribsea-Naturals ... B005QTEO66
https://www.amazon.ca/Carib-Sea-ACS0083 ... B0002APMU6