Sanitized Sand

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Plantpetter Arlington, VA(Zone 7a) Aug 01, 2001

New homeowner here.. really still learning my way around the garden/yard. I have some potted plants that I really like (an irish/scottish moss in one planter and a type of oregano in the other planter.) I recently repotted the moss in a bigger flatter planter and planted the oregano in a new terra cotta pot after getting it home from the nursery. (The oregano is more ornamental than that the type you use for cooking.) I had read that herbs like sandy soil, so when I planted the oregano, I got some sand to mix with the potting soil. I couldn't find regular old sand at the Home Depot.. had to opt for "play sand." Only after I'd potted the thing did I notice that the bag stated that the sand was "sanitized" Well, now, about four weeks later both of these potted plants are just up and dying, going brown. (The moss had been doing very well, very lush and crawling out of its previous pot. I was adding a bunch more rocks to the moss' new container, so I figured.."Heck, why not some sand too.")

I potted other plants (with NO SAND) at the same time, and no problems there. Did I kill my oregano and moss with the sanitized sand? I was thinking if there was any sort of "bleaching" in this so-called "sanitizing" process.. then that could very likely be what happened. Anybody have any further insight?

Post #9764
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paulgrow Allen Park, MI(Zone 6a) Aug 02, 2001

Take a look at the ingreidents if you still have the bags.
I bet here was some type of disinfectiant or bleach in the sand.
The best source for sand is your local block or brick yard. They will usually sell it to you by the bushel.
I would get the plants out of the sand and repot them and water the heck out of them.

Good Luck

paul

Post #104742
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Aug 03, 2001

Go back to home depot, or as Paulgrow mentioned, your brickyard and buy "Builders Sand". Its usually with the concrete mixes thats why you probably couldn't find it. Play sand is not appropriate for plants as you have already found out.

This message was edited Thursday, Aug 2nd 8:13 PM

Post #104914
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Plantpetter Arlington, VA(Zone 7a) Aug 03, 2001

Thanks for the input Paul and Jersey guy. I'm definitely going to repot the moss this weekend.. see if i can save it.

:-)

Post #105133
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