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 _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php