Hydro balls vrs perlite

[Scrappy4]

I'm going to pick up something to add to lighten up my next soil mix. All I've ever used is perlite inside or vermiculite when growing outdoors in sand. I do not have access to pumice, or bark. Would there be any advantage from using the hydro clay balls instead of perlite? Scrappy

 

[HighonPottery]

in the application you're using them (soil lightener), i don't see any benefit of them over perlite. personally i just add more perlite since i get it in the huge-ass bag, then you don't have to have ANOTHER bag of something laying around and taking up space that's going to do the same thing. OTOH, hydro balls don't really hold water and perlite does, so i guess they COULD have their place depending on needs.

 

[jaykush]

can you source rice hulls, they are getting quite popular at feed stores/garden centers. extra cheap too, 6 cf bag is 5$ here.

 

[Scrappy4]

can you source rice hulls, they are getting quite popular at feed stores/garden centers. extra cheap too, 6 cf bag is 5$ here.

Nope, not that I know of. Unless on the net I suppose.

I did find a source of the larger chunky perlite though, i've been using the smaller stuff.

I thought the clay balls being somewhat pourus might be an improvement over perlite. Maybe like the charcoal does.

I'm finding out the small perlite is not ideal with a high % of ewc. My current grow has about 30% ewc, and it holds water like a sponge.....scrappy

 

[DARC MIND]

might want to check this thread out
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=161875
i crushed the hydroton to smaller peaces and it worked very well
they sell smaller clay flake like gravel for ponds, aquariums, kat litter<~mostly treated,etc; that i think would be a better buy simply because them balls dont do much to help soil texture.
hth

 

[Greenheart]

I myself use perlite. I've considered lava rock like they use in landscaping but atm I am happy with the perlite.

 

[guest2012y]

Pumice is a pretty good alternative and not as messy as perlite. It's typically available in 3 sizes. Not as heavy as lava rock and not nearly as light as perlite,it increases the weight of the pots a bit. Good or bad depending on your physical condition.

 

[Tilt]

I second the pumice recomendation. I use it. Another benefit if you recycle your soil is it doesn't break down as fast as perlite. Looks more natural to me too.

 

[GeorgeSmiley]

I started using medium sized pumice this year. I found it was a solid amendment but didn't do what perlite did for my mix. It was still too dense. I put at least a cuft of perlite in this last mix and it improved drainage to more what I like.

@Jaykush, thanks for the suggestions on rice hulls I found them at 50lbs for $14, gonna pick some up next week. Do you apply at any certain rate or just to personal preferences like we do with perlite and pumice?

Smiley

 

[jaykush]

george try the rice hulls and pumice. i use lavarock(almost the same as pumice) and rice hulls for nursery plants i sell. i would just apply little by little until you are happy with the consistency of the soil, i find personal feel to be better than a set recipe/ratio. as all soils are different. i think by guess i end up with a good 20% rice hulls. not sure though.

 

[DARC MIND]

just a heads up on the pumice
dont no about other folks but when i got a few cubic foot bags @ the local landscape supply center;each bag came with about 5 gals of pumice powder. i didnt feel save adding the powder to my media so i ended up screening it out & using for composting here and ther.
i got no prob screening but from now on i buy one sample bag before jumping on new products till i can trust the source.

 

[guest2012y]

I think in my current mix a blend of 2 sizes of pumice and the perlite is pretty good. I like the rice hulls idea and may try that on the next recycle in 3 months.
Darc...that's the bummerabout bags that you can't see through or open. If I'm at a nursery,etc. and they have a product that interests me which is masked behind a bag I can't see in.... I have no reservations about busting out a pocket knife and taking a look.
I'm fortunate some places 'round here have open bags of stuff so you can see what you are buying.

 

[GeorgeSmiley]

People look at me funny at nurseries etc when I scoop up compost, ewc etc and take a huuuge whiff of it then start sifting through it. lol

Darcmind, I just sift everything now.... amazing some of the stuff I find lol

Smiley

 

[jaykush]

i get my pumice in bulk from a landscaping supply place. i get a 30 gallon trashcan full for 8$. no pumice dust as i load the trashcan with what i want.

 

[StonedCrow]

i get my pumice in bulk from a landscaping supply place. i get a 30 gallon trashcan full for 8$. no pumice dust as i load the trashcan with what i want.

Pumice dust wouldn't hurt your mix, would it? Gotta have some minerals in it?....SC

 

[guest2012y]

.... amazing some of the stuff I find lol Smiley

The most common item I find is that woven plastic bag material in long strands...must be from when they cut open the bags or something.
Jay..8 bucks for 30 gallons is far better than what I've paid....may just check in on some landscaping comps. around here.

 

[DARC MIND]

stonedcrow
i dont think a little bit of dust will hurt but im not about to poor 5 gals into my kick ass 3+ year old tubs of living soil singing everythings going to be all right.
less is best if experiance has taught me anything

as for the pumice
the landscape supply center had some sample patches of ther products (soil,peat moss,mulch,perlite,ect ect) & the pumice on display did not contain all the dust.
like most here, i do sift threw bags of compost, casting ect to see whats really going on but i mistakenly trusted the sample patch & didnt cut into my non see threw bags pumice.
never again