Volcanic rock, any nutrients?
poaky1
11 years ago
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Kimmsr
11 years agoRelated Discussions
scoria - red volcanic landscape rock
Comments (2)It could potentially be very good. What size are the pieces? If they average between 1/16 and 1/4 inch, you'll have an excellent ingredient for container mixes. You shouldn't have any problems in a vegetable bed, and the particle size won't matter as much. As with most stone products, I'd rinse before use. Josh...See MoreVolcanic Soil
Comments (2)Our Western states are full of it. No need to send to Hawaii. Pumice is volcanic, and can be ordered through Grigsby's Mexico is full of it, Mt. St Helana has loads of it. Do not gather it from a state park. If you come to Calif.I will take you to a spot where you can gather it. I notice you live in Main. Buy quartzite, pumice, sandstone, granite. All volcanic. Any coarse sand will do as well and Chicken grit #5 or larger. Castus and Succulents grow in decomposed quartzite, decomposed granite, and a lot of rocks. You can find these in streams, or where new houseing developents are being built out in the woods. These plants are not fussy, but they do not like Peat Moss, unless they are jungle growing plants. They only need 10-20% of leaf mold, or bark. Go to any rock and gravel store, deserts and see what you can find, or Home Depot, perhaps you can find a building supply store and get washed coarse washed construction sand. These are just some suggestions, you are going to have to make the choices. If you have high humidity put in more sand/gravel and no organic matter. Experiemnet to see what soil does the best for your location. Alway check and see whre the plant came from, and I don't mean Wally's , Most cactus will come from North America or South America, they grow on mountain sides, or deserts, so that that into consideration, Succulents come from all over the World, Mexico and all up our west coast. Some come from the mountains of Europe, others from Africa, below the equator, or from Tropical pleces. You will need to know this information before you can make the choice of what they will need. I hope this response will help others on the forum as well as you. Good question. Norma...See MoreVolcanic chips?
Comments (7)Dear Scott, I just go out to the desert and find some decomposed granite, but deserts are few in Scotland, are they not? I just knew that all those hours in geography class weren't wasted. Well, if you want actual volcanic chips, I guess Mount Etna would be closest.... I don't know if you use rocks/pebbles as part of your roofing over there across the Pond (I suspect not), but what about going to a builder's supply and asking? Alternatively, you could go to a cement company. I'd also suggest a dry river bottom, but stones found there usually are rounded, and that's what you want to stay away from. I know you have a few mountains, so I am not suggesting that you chip away at Ben Lomond, but what about finding some loose granite somewhere and making your own? That's also particularly effective for getting rid of stress, although I highly advise the use of complete eye protection....See MoreGritty Mix - why not use volcanic rock instead of gravel?
Comments (33)Sorry to jump on this thread - I thought it the best place to ask: Ive been on my own long mission to improve my plants health and I have found these forums and its members priceless (a big thank you!). In particular I have had great success with Al's 5-1-1 but wanted to give the Gritty Mix a go. Problem is I have not found the ingredients (I know this has been discussed countlessly but I wanted a bit more clarification before I spend more money for something I might not use) I have sourced: • Granite in 2-5mm • Pine bark - I need to hammer mine down to the correct size and sieve but okay • Turface - no where to be found where I live!!! So I have two alternatives for the water retaining portion of the mix from what I have read but the information is confusing me as to its appropriateness / water retention Pumice ~5mm Tuff / Red rocks 4-8mm - from my reading this is a volcanic rock and I have a attached picture of the small particles and a larger one for reference. Im leaning towards the small lava rocks but I don't know how it will affect the soil: Does it hold less water than Turface? Would that mean I need to water more often? I live in a hot country so im not sure I can commit myself more to my plants than i already do. I know its not a formula set in stone and it can be adjusted but I feel like im going into this blind. Also which plants would I plant the Gritty mix in and which for 5-1-1 as im confused about this. I have ficuses, monsterra adansonii and leaning towards getting more succulents. thank you again !!!...See Moreplaidbird
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