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Old 12-04-2016, 09:09 PM   #11
Reece
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Perhaps I should have said I do bake it first! Mainly because it is damp so I put it in the range to dry it out. It has never grown weeds or anything and I would imagine I am killing off micro-organisms.

Keep in mind my torts were 2 when they came.

I have introduced coir too, so trying that.

Sorry i'm abit slow with the John Innes! Does this have any plant feed or chemicals in this product?
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Old 14-04-2016, 07:57 PM   #12
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To be honest Reece I had never checked. When I started using it from our village garden centre I had followed the advice on the Tortoise Trust web site and at the time I thought they had written something like 'top soil' and cleaned 'sand', so I bought play sand and mixed 50/50, although I found too sandy and was worried about their eyes, so reduced.

I will have a look, but it just said top soil, so I assumed ok. I didn't think it had anything added and if it did I would not have bought. I have just had a look at one of my old bags (using it to store some plants on) and the last one I bought was Arthur Bowers. Just says top soil so assume they would have to specify additives.

I'm a bit worried now.... The only thing I can say is that my torts have never been unwell with anything, no swollen eye, gastro-intestinal problems - anything in 6 years (touch wood etc).

However, I would also say I do not have the experience or expertise of many of those advising, so perhaps take note of others.

I'm going to investigate, so will update the thread when I have had a chance to find out.
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Old 14-04-2016, 08:09 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Jan W View Post
Perhaps I should have said I do bake it first! Mainly because it is damp so I put it in the range to dry it out. It has never grown weeds or anything and I would imagine I am killing off micro-organisms.

Keep in mind my torts were 2 when they came.

I have introduced coir too, so trying that.
good point Jan,

Reece not slow at all, you would have to check contents because even some coco coir has additives or nutrients unless you get natural. My elderly ma says its not the same as in the war - good healthy home spun soil.

now its a mix and if left long enough mushrooms will grow on it, or weeds in the actual bag as it has loads of fungal spores in anyway.

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Sorry i'm abit slow with the John Innes! Does this have any plant feed or chemicals in this product?
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Old 20-04-2016, 01:38 PM   #14
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Hi all,

Can I just point out, quite cheekily that I developed EarthMix to do just this.

EarthMix is a wholly natural and certified organic substrate that can be used with all species and in any enclosure.

It has a high mineral content due to the added organic volcanic rock, as such it can and should be thought of as part of core nutrition itself,

I use it in every enclosure here. Our tort "Darwin" loves to dig about in it. Ok, so he gets nice and dusty, but, that's natural behaviour.

It is live! And as such beneficial to plants and animals alike

Hope this helps

John
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Old 20-04-2016, 02:02 PM   #15
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yes sorry John, good point very well made ! Be just the ticket for all tortoises but especially little ones. CB
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Old 20-04-2016, 08:05 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by Arcadiajohn View Post
Hi all,

Can I just point out, quite cheekily that I developed EarthMix to do just this.

EarthMix is a wholly natural and certified organic substrate that can be used with all species and in any enclosure.

It has a high mineral content due to the added organic volcanic rock, as such it can and should be thought of as part of core nutrition itself,

I use it in every enclosure here. Our tort "Darwin" loves to dig about in it. Ok, so he gets nice and dusty, but, that's natural behaviour.

It is live! And as such beneficial to plants and animals alike

Hope this helps

John
Hi John
Thanks for this, I hadn't heard of your product. I only joined the forum end of last year. I will have a look.
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Old 20-04-2016, 08:11 PM   #17
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John I have just tried to search on your web site earthmix and earth mix and nothing comes up?
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Old 20-04-2016, 11:34 PM   #18
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We are building a brand new site so it's not on there. But whack it into a search engine and our authorised dealers will pop up
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Old 21-04-2016, 07:57 PM   #19
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Found it thanks.
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Old 02-05-2016, 10:27 AM   #20
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Have you tried doing a mix of the top soil and choir Reece? I like that in my hatchlings table I find it really helps to keep the humidity for the little ones
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