Is Using Volcanic Rock Powder a Good Idea?
happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
14 years ago
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rom.calgary.ab
14 years agosteamyb
14 years agoRelated Discussions
Volcanic Rock or Pea Gravel for our bio-bog?
Comments (9)I don't have any experience with lava rock, but I know that other people on this forum say it's difficult to work with--very hard on the hands, if I remember correctly.Hopefully someone that has used it will share their thoughts. We used "pea gravel" (or something close to that size) in our bog filter. I don't think the size matters, unless it's too small and clogs up the pipes as Jenion mentioned or if it's too large to plant things in. When the time comes to clean the filter, I'm sure we won't be thrilled with scooping all that gravel out, but it's been 3 years and so far everything is working fine. My mother has a similar, smaller version of our filter and hers is approx. 5 years old. She thinks the flow might be slower this year and wonders if it might be time to clean the whole bog out. She doesn't have a "clean-out" pipe like we do, so I'll be curious to see if we can go longer before having to do the same thing. Sherry Here is a link that might be useful: bog filter...See MoreSimulating Italian Volcanic Soil - How?
Comments (40)"A lot of North American annuals are perennial where there is no frost." I understand the point you're making, but what you said isn't accurate. Where a plant grows has no bearing on whether or not it's an annual or perennial. If a plant is CAPABLE, the key word, of surviving for 3 or more growth cycles, it's a perennial. If it dies at the end of a single growth cycle, it's an annual. There are many perennials we grow AS we would annuals, but they are still perennials regardless of where they are grown. Snapdragon, dusty miller, coleus, impatiens ......., all perennials no matter where they grow or if they escape the winter's killing lows. Al...See MoreNeed help finding volcanic rock powder
Comments (22)My own small, informal trials are enough to convince me of the value of using the "paramagnetic" volcanic powder. Back in the spring, I was starting several kinds of plants using a bagged potting soil my wife and I bought. I used that "growing medium" unamended, in sets of matched starter trays, except for those trays in which I'd added about 15% volcanic rock powder to the mixture. All those seedlings were started under grow lights. (I didn't take pictures of the results.) Somewhat over a week ago, I again used starting trays ("six packs") and matched the basic growing medium, the watering regime, and the lighting on the experimental and control trays. However, I made up my own starter medium as follows: 50% sphagnum peat moss; 30% worm castings; 20% perlite - well stirred. This, in itself, is a pretty rich mix because of the worm castings. One of the trays contains this mixture as such. The other has this mixture with about 12% volcanic rock powder stirred into it. I made up only two trays, and identified each one to be able to interpret my results. With each of the six packs, I filled each of the cells as close to the same level as I could. I planted each cell with two radish seeds from the same packet. I kept the trays on a bench in our greenhouse. Then I was careful to keep the watering and the light exposure the same. Seed germination took about 48 hours, on average - and the germination rate was pretty much the same, comparing the two six packs. The picture, taken eight days after planting the seeds, pretty much tells the story. The seedlings (on the left) with the volcanic powder in their growing medium are clearly doing better. I'd estimate the difference in vitality and growth to be maybe 20%, at this early stage. With my spring-time experiment, the difference seemed more marked - probably because the commercial growing medium was very basic and not high in nutrients (such as those the worm castings provide to the new mixture). With the spring experiments, the seedlings growing in the medium that included the volcanic rock powder did twice as well, in my assessment, in terms of vitality and size. However, I judged this difference not after eight days, but after a month or so. I was thinking some people who look at this thread might like to see a picture that conveys the benefit. While Paramount Growth Holdings is not yet retailing their product, other sources for this sort of volcanic rock powder in the U.S. and Canada might be available....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 Morehappy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
14 years agosbryce_gw
14 years agoCanAmaze VRP
8 years agohummersteve
8 years ago
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