On 19 Aug 08, at 15:55, Jane McGary wrote: > . . . you would not use [saltwater] beach sand Technical detail: You can't get rid of the salt in beach sand by simply washing it. During its long immersion in salt water, sodium ions have gradually penentrated the crystal lattice of the minerals comprising the sand. Removed to a freshwater environment (i.e. in a flowerpot), saltwater beach sand then gradually releases this sodium over a very long period of time. Listen to what Jane says, people, heed her words. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate on beautiful Vancouver Island