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pumice as a soil conditioner

other horticultural uses

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When it comes to growing vibrant plants, it's all about the quality of the soil. The root systems of plants require a continual supply of oxygen, and the carbon dioxide respirated by the roots must be able to leave the root zone. This critical exchange of gases is key to a good growing medium. Other critical factors include the water-retention ability of soil and the available nutrients in the soil necessary for plant growth.

 Adding pumice to garden soils and growing mediums can help meet all of those key requirements.

Pumice as a Soil Conditioner

Pumice is an excellent soil conditioner, as it is highly porous (see magnified image, left), giving it excellent water and air holding properties. Advantages of using pumice in potting media and garden soils include:

—increases bulk density of potting mixes.

—the porous nature of pumice allows it to hold vital nutrients in the microscopic surface pores, which helps regulate fertilizer feedings. It can even be supercharged with nutrients before it is added to the growing medium.

—excellent conditioner for soils that need increased aeration and drainage, as when growing cacti, bromeliads, succulents, or when rooting cuttings.

—loosens the density of heavy clay garden soils, letting in the air and water plants need.

—increases water retention in light and sandy soils.

—makes tillage easier.

—reduces crusting, cracking, flooding and shrink-swelling.

—holds moisture in the soil, reducing watering requirements by as much as 35%, but pumice will not compact or become soggy.

—pumice is inorganic, so it will not decompose or compact over time, meaning it functions continuously and can be recycled and reused.

—does not attract or host fungi, nematodes, or insects.

—pumice is pH neutral.

These advantages can be realized with as little as a 10% addition of pumice to the soil or growing medium.

Other Uses in Horticulture

• Packing medium for storing tubers, roots and bulbs

• Lawn and Turf management. Used both in preparing a quality seed bed for new turf areas as well as a top dressing after aerification on heavily-trafficked lawns or greens to restore or maintain proper soil structure.

• Mulches. Coarse-grind pumice makes an excellent and attractive mulch for flower and shubbery beds. The soil beneath the mulch stays moist longer and is less likely to compact from watering. Weed problems are minimized with a couple of inches of pumice mulch. It does not break down, so does not need to be replaced. Our white pumice can also be color-dyed if necessary.

 • Lightweight pumice is ideal for hydroponics, cutting propagation and other speciality growing applications.