Is the pumice/lava rock i can get from a landscape supply store suitable for a living soil?

ClaytonNewbilFontaine

Well-Known Member
I am basically going to get the tail end of the pile. I'm going to look at it Monday to see what size the chunks are. Is would this be OK to use as erration in a living soil? What is the ideal size for the pieces of pumice that I would want?
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
I am having a hard time finding pumice locally.. tried all the big box places and feed stores with no luck...shipping the amount I need seems to be very costly... what other things did this store sell? Maybe I can use that as an example to find a local place near me.
 

ClaytonNewbilFontaine

Well-Known Member
I am having a hard time finding pumice locally.. tried all the big box places and feed stores with no luck...shipping the amount I need seems to be very costly... what other things did this store sell? Maybe I can use that as an example to find a local place near me.
Landscape supply store. If you live on the east coast I don't think you'll find it in bulk. I need 5 cft and couldn't find that. I've looked extensively, I've had people in the industry who have looked and told me unless you wanna pay shipping, figure something else out. I think I'm going to go with a mix of lava rock, vermiculite, perlite, maybe some rice hulls too. I was told not to use perlite for living soil bc eventually it all works its way up. I know that happens but I've only seen/ heard about it happening when you drench your soil, for a flush, then the perlite def comes up. But if I'm using blumats in living soil, then hopefully my soil should never be drenched and I'll never lose my perlite. Good luck
 

meangreengrowinmachine

Well-Known Member
Landscape supply store. If you live on the east coast I don't think you'll find it in bulk. I need 5 cft and couldn't find that. I've looked extensively, I've had people in the industry who have looked and told me unless you wanna pay shipping, figure something else out. I think I'm going to go with a mix of lava rock, vermiculite, perlite, maybe some rice hulls too. I was told not to use perlite for living soil bc eventually it all works its way up. I know that happens but I've only seen/ heard about it happening when you drench your soil, for a flush, then the perlite def comes up. But if I'm using blumats in living soil, then hopefully my soil should never be drenched and I'll never lose my perlite. Good luck
Yeah, this is basically my same situation. I want a shit ton of if but don't want to pay as much in shipping as I pay for the actual product! Well sounds like I need to pound the pavement. Thanks for the info!
 

ClaytonNewbilFontaine

Well-Known Member
Yeah, this is basically my same situation. I want a shit ton of if but don't want to pay as much in shipping as I pay for the actual product! Well sounds like I need to pound the pavement. Thanks for the info!
I'm literally going to pound lava rock into smaller pieces and use that. But I can't pound 5 cft worth. I can't seem to find the smaller pieces locally and it's the same with shipping lava rock as it is pumice. I've read stuff about lava rock cutting/damaging the roots. But if you don't use too much it's fine.
 

Fallguy111

Well-Known Member
Check out a landscape supply shop. They usually cater to companies and not individuals but I've had good luck walking in and having them order large bags of many hard to find items. Landscapers I've known have appreciated good smoke so roll a couple ahead of time to grease the wheels.
 
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