Lava Rocks (Pumice)

[Vas Deferens]

I am going to trial a few different mixes next spring and I'm about to prep them to be ready. I am planning to use some pumice rocks that I can get for free from nearby beaches for aeration. I have read pumice is good for aeration but did not state it's origin (land / ocean). Do you think it would be no good as they've been in the ocean or better with dried sea minerals ? or too much salt and wash them in fresh water & drying before adding to the mix ? I'm trying to avoid perlite as I'm trialling till less plots, hopefully over a few seasons.

 

[Eyes on Fire]

well thats hard to say really.depending where you gather them really.but in all honesty Id rather be safe than not ,and clean them n soak em a lil prior to using in your mix n let dry prior.but that and rice hulls work perfectly awesome.especially if used in two sizes..small and medium with a cpl fistfuls O rice hulls. or just order a simple bag of pumice whichever but Id rinse it wither way.new,fresh,..either way.haopp growing dude!

 

[Vas Deferens]

Thanks Eyes...I have had to smash up some larger pumice pieces so now they have some sharpish edges. Do you think this could cause problems for some of the roots being damaged by sharp / abrasive pieces ? or am I just tripping balls ?

 

[farmergreen007]

like EOF said I would soak them for a little while to make sure, the sharp edges are fine the roots will grow right around them with no issues. So but your balls back in your pants and quit trippin I would give it a try if that is what I had locally available.

 

[Eyes on Fire]

if you break them up and they are indeed sharp you'll want to wet them with washed pebbles and stick a few large cups full of washed gravel and the piece of pumice and in a burlap sack or similar you'll want to tumble them some till they are smoothed out a little.