Rice hulls as your only aeration

rkmcdon

Well-Known Member
Rice hulls look like a nice alternative to perlite for aeration, but every time I see them used it always seems to be in conjunction with perlite.
mare rice hulls adequate as your sole aeration component or do they need to be used with a second component like perlite?
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Rice hulls look like a nice alternative to perlite for aeration, but every time I see them used it always seems to be in conjunction with perlite.
mare rice hulls adequate as your sole aeration component or do they need to be used with a second component like perlite?
No don't use rice hulls only. And I prefer pumice and lava rock over perlite. Rice hulls and perlite break down, lava rock and pumice don't. I do use rice hulls just not like that.
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Rice hulls look like a nice alternative to perlite for aeration, but every time I see them used it always seems to be in conjunction with perlite.
mare rice hulls adequate as your sole aeration component or do they need to be used with a second component like perlite?
I gotta correct myself a bit. You can use them as an alternative to perlite, but they will breakdown and decompose. It's not a big deal if you remix your soil everytime and add more aeration. I'm doing no-till though so that's why I use pumice and lava rock instead of perlite. I did mix rice hulls into the no-till when I made it, and I've been using it as a mulch.

I've used rice hull only, but I don't think it works as well as perlite or the others alone. I think it holds a little extra water, so the roots won't get as much oxygen. The soil stayed wetter longer.
 

rkmcdon

Well-Known Member
Thank you. I’m making adjustments. Moving my mix from 6gal rice hull and 3 of perlite (plus the roughly 2 gallons from the promix) to 5 and 5. I’m also going to switch to pumice before I start recycling.
where are you getting your pumice/lava rock?
 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Thank you. I’m making adjustments. Moving my mix from 6gal rice hull and 3 of perlite (plus the roughly 2 gallons from the promix) to 5 and 5. I’m also going to switch to pumice before I start recycling.
where are you getting your pumice/lava rock?
Build a Soil. It's not cheap, but you only have to buy it once.

 

TintEastwood

Well-Known Member
Always good to confirm hulls have been sterilized.

 

PadawanWarrior

Well-Known Member
Always good to confirm hulls have been sterilized.

I got lucky. I ordered mine from the hydro shop behind my house, and to my surprise when I went to pick them up, I noticed it was from BAS. I was stoked. Not to mention I paid like $13 for the cu ft bag. That's when I learned they could get me a discount off the BAS stuff if I ordered through them.
 

rkmcdon

Well-Known Member
Always good to confirm hulls have been sterilized.

I get a good deal on riceland par boiled hulls. $23 for a 50 pound bag of compressed hulls
 

OneHitDone

Well-Known Member
Thank you. I’m making adjustments. Moving my mix from 6gal rice hull and 3 of perlite (plus the roughly 2 gallons from the promix) to 5 and 5. I’m also going to switch to pumice before I start recycling.
where are you getting your pumice/lava rock?
You should be able to source pumice at most grow stores and local nurseries. You wouldn't want to pay to ship this stuff by the bag.
I was looking for screened lava rock for my current bed project but settled on pumice since it is something I could find within driving distance and pick up in person.
Pumice is going for about $12 a cu ft out here on the west coast. Unigro is one of the main "Brands" :peace:
 

Bignutes

Well-Known Member
Rice hulls look like a nice alternative to perlite for aeration, but every time I see them used it always seems to be in conjunction with perlite.
mare rice hulls adequate as your sole aeration component or do they need to be used with a second component like perlite?
I like using both pumice and rice hulls, about equal parts of each. Pumice for longevity, rice hulls for aeration and organic matter. I've found rice hulls hands down breaks up heavy soils that need aeration, the best so far, it also resists compaction.
 

rkmcdon

Well-Known Member
You should be able to source pumice at most grow stores and local nurseries. You wouldn't want to pay to ship this stuff by the bag.
I was looking for screened lava rock for my current bed project but settled on pumice since it is something I could find within driving distance and pick up in person.
Pumice is going for about $12 a cu ft out here on the west coast. Unigro is one of the main "Brands" :peace:
I was planning on ordering from Agron where it’s $10/ cu ft and I have an order that already has pallet rate. I’ve not had any luck finding it locally, but where I am, that’s no surprise
 

rkmcdon

Well-Known Member
Says $42.39 plus shipping.
I get mine at redbud soil in okc and pick it up to avoid shipping

 

rkmcdon

Well-Known Member
I like using both pumice and rice hulls, about equal parts of each. Pumice for longevity, rice hulls for aeration and organic matter. I've found rice hulls hands down breaks up heavy soils that need aeration, the best so far, it also resists compaction.
Thank you. My last adjustment took it to about 50/50 and I have pumice on the way to replace the perlite

I haven’t actually started recycling my OLS yet. I’m getting everything in place and starting my worm farm. My current soil will go to the worms and next harvest I’ll step up to 10 gallon pots, fresh ewc, I’ll have transitioned to pumice, will hopefully have my recipe fine tuned and be cooking for at least 2 weeks by that time
 

norcalreppin77

Well-Known Member
My buddy uses coco coir and rice hulls mixed nothing else. He spreads his soil out in his yard so he doesn't want perlite everywhere. It seems to work alright.
 

BigDavid

Well-Known Member
Most feed stores will carry rice hulls and many large farm supply stores will carry pumice. If you're in the Los Angeles area, you can buy a 50lb bag of rice hulls at Damoors for $14 including tax. For Pumice, Whittier Fertilizer carries it for I think $1.50 for a 1/2cuft bag.
 

foreverflyhi

Well-Known Member
Like mentioned before, rice hulls would eventually decompose. Best to use them with another aeration. If you're in oregon, concentrates sells them for 12$ a #50 bag. Shipping would be crazy high tho
 
Top