Figrown,

I have not used the Silica sand, but I do remember someone speaking of it in one of the debates over finding products for the Gritty Mix.

I purchased a sieve used for the kitchen (for rinsing produce with), a rectangular one. Similar to the one the Laura had in her demo photo's.

The Turface, definitely needs to be sieved. A lot of small fines, if not and I had a similar experience by not sieving properly.

The Homedepot product looks way to fine. Not able to zoom in as much as I wanted, but looked to be too fine.

Some of the producers of Granite Grit (sold at Livestock feed stores) have switched to a product called "Cherry Stone".

Too bad that you could not do some pruning and air drying to see if you could save your DR.

Rick

Thanks, Rick for the quick comments and advice well the plant is still alive and there is still the possibility to air dry it not quite sure how long I would have to do that since it's already got "Root Rot" or "Dry Rot". I never knew they termed it Cherry stone thats good to know I will have to check into that for maybe a substitute.

Just wanted to upload some more pics of the DR so you could see Rick. Im still kind of weary to use Silica sand as a substitute for Crushed Granite.

flgrown,

I am going to try a product that an acquaintance has been using for quite some time. It is a product called Floor Dry made from Diatomite. The size of the particles is roughly the same size as the Turface, but is much lighter in weight. He uses it as one of his components to gritty mix. Not tried it yet, but got a bag and am going to this summer. Will also screen it.

This is a photo of one of my special plants and I was doing usual touch and feel process. Always feeling firmness throughout the winter months.

One of the very small roots of the side had gone mushy. I cut it out as far back until no biege tissue apparent. This was done in Dec. and it looks to be fine, so far.

The brownish color is from the Elmer's Waterproof wood glue that I applied to it after cutting away bad tissue.

This may not be similar to your's. When I found this, I was sick and felt that I was going to lose it if I did not try something.

One of the first plants I ever got and really like it.

Rick

I will be performing open heart Adenium surgery tomorrow if I can find some sort of gravel or granite...ahh well I know it will work out

Update: Surgery complete LOL