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Trying out a new potting soil additive

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A

13 years ago

I bought a product called 'VoleBloc' in 15-lb bags to keep voles from digging around one of my needle palms. This stuff is an expanded shale and is quite light-weight. Particle size varies from maybe 3/4 inch to smaller.

It looks like it has some promise for lightening up and improving drainage in potting soil for plumerias. I don't have a good photo of it yet. Found these on the web (below). A 15-lb bag costs around $10 I think. A similar product is called PermaTill, though particle size might be smaller. I haven't actually found the PermaTill, but will keep an eye out for it. It might be cheaper.

Anyway, these products might be a good substitute for pumice which is next to unavailable (short of an internet order) out here.

I had tried expanded clay in the past, but that held too much water. So maybe this expanded shale will be better.

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Comments (4)

karyn1
13 years ago
I've never seen that. Where did you find it around here? I'm surprised that you are having issues with expanded clay. Are you using it whole as an additive or crushing it? I crush it (coarsely) and have no problem with it holding moisture.
Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
Original Author
13 years ago
Karyn,

The expanded clay I tried was Schultz Aquatic Soil. It just made the soil too heavy and for some reason caused it to hold too much moisture.

Now, this expanded slate (I said shale above and I'm correcting it) seems to be nearly as light weight as lava rock and has lots of little holes in it that will hold oxygen. It's fairly cheap too. But I'm not advocating it yet, just trying it out.

It is being used for 'green roofs' and as a medium for orchids.

Read more below:

Here is a link that might be useful: Permatill
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karyn1
13 years ago
Schultz Aquatic Soil isn't expanded clay. Expanded clay is used in hydroponics and is called LECA/Hydroton.
karyn1
13 years ago
Evidently the expanded shale is also sold under the name Haydite. Except for the irregular shape it looks the same as the hydroton.

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