Figured I would throw this question in this thread, keeps the forum tidier and information concise.
I am hunting for a good clay or clay substitute for adding to potting medium for certain fruit trees that tend to like this kind of soil. Unfortunately here in Yucatan, we don't get the multitudes of options that can be found in the USA. For example, Turface is something I just can't seem to get and even finding a store that sells surface medium for baseball fields seems a bust.
I've been mulling options to add to my soil to replicate the clay nutrient rich soils:
1) Adding Fine food grade diatomaceous earth. However, this is technically more like a silica, though may have better water retention than regular courser silica.
2) Plain, natural Kitty litter clay with no additives. Not sure if I can find it but stand a chance. If distributed evenly within the soil it could replicate what I need.
3) Potassium clay. Not quite the same as regular clay, and I worry about the nutrient level of this as I tend to control nutrient levels through compost, fish and algae fertilizer, bone meal, etc depending on needs. Also, it might not provide what I really need in texture. Here's an example:
https://articulo.mercadolibre.com.mx/MLM-1491319873-arcilla-potasica-organica-10-kgs-_JM#position%3D29%26search_layout%3Dgrid%26type%3Ditem%26tracking_id%3Ddb37c6bf-2ac9-49f3-914e-8197ddafbf774) Any other options? Open to any and all ideas.
Thanks,
Peter