Elusive Sand

[r1v3rfr0g]

I thought about emailing Mr. Brittnacher and inquire directly, but then I thought maybe I would try here first.

According to the information here --> www.carnivorousplants.org/howto/SoilsWater/PeatSandPerlite.php , it would be helpful for me to obtain some #14 sand blasting sand.  I have looked high and low and cannot seem to find this.  I am not sure if this is some kind of snipe hunt for the carnivorous plant enthusiast but I just have no luck finding this.

Has anyone here had any luck getting this?  I need some sand to mix with my peat and I am making an attempt to get the right stuff.  The trouble is because I have not found good sand, I have not had the pleasure of building my bog garden yet.

If you are using a different kind of sand, please add your input and tell me what you are using.

I am growing Sarracenias.

Thank you 

[Aidan]

Pretty much any type of clean, lime-free quartz/silica sand or grit will suit. Other rocks may be suitable too. Among other things, I use a crushed granite and gritstone.

[Not a Number]

It appears that some states or counties have banned the use of silica sand for sand blasting for health and safety reasons. I haven't been able to find out what the approved substitute is.

You should be able to find at least #16 mesh size silica sand at building and construction or landscaping supply places. As Aidan says it should be limestone free (ask). You can also test with a weak acid like vinegar. If it produces gas (fizzes) it contains limestone.

Another possible source are pool and spa supply stores. Silica sand (#20 mesh) is used in the filtration systems. #20 mesh is a bit fine for my liking but is usable in 50% or less sand to peat moss mixes.

Granite and other types of grit can be found at most feed and grain stores.

Be prepared to buy no less than a fifty pound bag from any of these sources.

[John Brittnacher]

The kind of place I have been able to find and buy the kind of sand I like best is one where there is an office with a counter, you tell the person there what you need, pay for it, drive your car to the bay closest to where it is stored and someone loads it into your car for you. Most of the time the loader was the other guy behind the counter. The sand I get comes in 100lb bags and costs about $10.

pacificsupply.paccoast.com/

I realize there are no stores from this company in your area but there must be something similar. And the store may carry 12, 14, or 16 mesh sand. It may not be washed.

You didn't say what you are trying to grow. If you want to grow Sarracenia outdoors, use perlite instead of sand. I get that from a farm supply store in 4 cu ft bags. I do wash/rinse it and I would rinse any perlite you can find. Be aware that some brands of perlite (MiracleGrow is one) contain fertilizer. You don't want perlite with fertilizer.

[r1v3rfr0g]

Thank you so much for your response, John. I'm going to take your advice and use perlite instead of sand.

Oh, and thank you also Not a Number and Aidan.

[jdallas]

At least here on the west coast, Home Depot carries what's called "Commercial Grade Sand". This is usually silica sand. Here's an example: www.homedepot.com/p/Quikrete-100-lb-Commercial-Sand-196201/100318538 It took me many searches to discover that this is silica since it only alludes to it on the package. Some other brands of "Commercial Grade Sand" do say so.

Jeff

[Not a Number]

With products like the Quikrete brand you need to go to their website and find the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) which says it is silica. Actually by law Home Depot should have these available if you ask for it.

I've never found anything but the medium grade sand at Home Depot and Lowe's which looks to me about #20 mesh. You could ask them to order you some of the coarse grade which is closer to #16 or #14.

These are sold in 50 pound bags but Home Depot and Lowe's seldom carry this size.

[NiceDrosera]

I have had luck in finding "pool filter" silica sand in the pool supply section of various retailers. Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Walmart, and some regional stores you would not find in Florida. On average I pay $8.95 per bag.

My Drosera seem to like the sand being mixed in with the peat I buy at Home Depot.

[jthompson9586]

I know this won't help the west coast people but here in the great lakes area we have a lot of stone quarries I can get any grit. 50 lb bag of 100% quarts sands for around 4 bucks..