Perlite substitute?

Richard xerics@cox.net
Tue, 04 Jul 2006 16:12:33 PDT
>From whom do you buy this graded pumice?


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "sekkei" <gardenersview@earthlink.net>
To: <john@johnlonsdale.net>; "Pacific Bulb Society" <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2006 11:43 AM
Subject: Re: [pbs] Perlite substitute?


> How about pumice? I have used it for many mixes here in California. The
> brand I use is from UNI-GROW?  It comes in two sometimes three grades. 
> Some
> batches need sifting, again respiratory precautions necessary. It is a
> little heavier but works well for me.
>
> Terence Hernstrom
> Kimberly Crest House & Gardens
> Redlands CA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org
> [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org]On Behalf Of John T Lonsdale
> Sent: Tuesday, July 04, 2006 9:29 AM
> To: 'Pacific Bulb Society'
> Subject: [pbs] Perlite substitute?
>
>
> For years I've used perlite in my bulbs compost, to very good effect.  I 
> use
> Supercoarse grade and sieve it to get rid of the fines.  Over the past
> couple of years I've noticed a trend towards more fines and less 
> Supercoarse
> particles - to the point where, today, I spent 45 minutes sieving 8 cubic
> feet of perlite and ended up with less than 50% by volume of sieved 
> material
> I can use.  This seems to be a waste of time and energy and a
> misrepresentation by the manufacturer of the perlite (Schundler).
>
>
>
> Is there anything out there that anyone has practical experience with that 
> I
> can substitute directly for the perlite?  I use about 50% perlite in my 
> mix
> and don't want to have to learn a whole new watering regime unless I have
> to.
>
>
>
> Thanks and happy 4th.
>
>
>
> J.
>
>
>
> John T Lonsdale PhD
> 407 Edgewood Drive,
> Exton, Pennsylvania 19341, USA
>
> Home: 610 594 9232
> Cell: 484 678 9856
> Fax: 801 327 1266
>
> Visit "Edgewood" - The Lonsdale Garden at 
> <http://www.edgewoodgardens.net/>
> http://www.edgewoodgardens.net/
>
> USDA Zone 6b
>
>
>
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