Lava is solidified molten igneous rock that has flowed from volcanic eruptions. Jpotherm Well-Known Member. It works very well and I can get it locally produced at a decent price... Guildwood Village - Toronto, Canada - Zone 6. Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. The heat makes it lightweight and porous. I’ve never found it locally but amazon has a ton of different brands available. your own Pins on Pinterest Due to this rapid cooling, the water vapor got trapped inside the rock and the whole molten rock transforms into a glass-like structure. Discussion in 'Growing Organic Marijuana' started by Jpotherm, Jun 21, 2017. "To oppose something is to maintain it" -- Ursula LeGuin, Need more info? my humidity stands at 94% all the time. Perlite and pumice are two coarse, pebblelike materials that are mixed into potting mediums to help aeration and water drainage for plant roots. OT: has anybody ever used poultry grit for rooting or potting mix amendments? Feb 10, 2013 - This Pin was discovered by Garden Designs. Perlite/Clay mix ratios? - pot size 9x4 cm, 190 ml volume of soil. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently. Can I just use crushed lava rocks mixed with clay and sand for the inside of the heat riser instead of perlite or vermiculite? Pound for pound or size for size you'll not find any better substrate that can be used in a container at 100 % of the potting media ( soil) comparing to gritty mix at 3-1-1 al pumice would be 1-0-0. Pumice is from a volcano just as lava rock is from an volcano it's how they are formed by nature and the elements that makes then different. - I excluded perlite for bad experience ( floating, color etc...) - all aggregates are crushed and sieved specially LECA balls have smooth outer shell and very hard to absorb water if not crushed. I can’t find lava rock near me in anything but late gradations. Do I need to break it down into smaller pieces before mixing? your own Pins on Pinterest Cast a RMH burn chamber using Vermiculite. I think it's made from granite scraps - someone posted NOT to use muscle/clam shells somewhere on here I think. Discover (and save!) Like perlite, pumice is a type of volcanic glass. Unofficial Companion Guide to the Rocket Oven DVD, current server time (not your local time) is, Crushed Lava Rocks vs Perlite or Vermiculite, First rocket heater...steel vs fire brick. Perlite is a lot lighter and floats to the top. The stuff is so cheap, you can throw it out and buy more. Can I just use crushed lava rocks mixed with clay and sand for the inside of the heat riser instead of perlite or vermiculite? I checked out Turface and read a litany of horror stories online, so I backed off from that. This page was generated at 06:04 PM. Pumice is excellent stuff, a standard constituent of potting mixes in many Italian nurseries, and much nicer to work with than perlite. perlite vs lava rock. I would love to find a table that lists the insulation values of all three. Some perlites are of intrusive Personally I don’t like perlite, it feels cheap and light, and the dust it produces isn’t good for your lungs. As nouns the difference between lava and pumice is that lava is the melted rock ejected by a volcano from its crater or fissured sides while pumice is a light, porous type of pyroclastic igneous rock, formed during explosive volcanic eruptions when liquid lava is ejected into the air as a froth containing masses of gas bubbles as the lava solidifies, the bubbles are frozen into the rock. ft. I have a ready source of large pea-sized perlite. Joined: Jan 17, 2017 Messages: 46 Likes Received: 25 #1 Jpotherm, Jun 21, 2017. The balls seem to fit together pretty tightly because of their symmetry. (1979): The Interpretation of Igneous Rocks, George Allen and Unwin, London. Apr 25, 2014 - This Pin was discovered by Global Habitat Resources. Just curious if the size of the lava rock matters. 6 years ago. density." But this is just my opion. Do you know what's in your potting mix? Crushed Lava Rocks vs Perlite or Vermiculite . Reactions: casun, Kanorin, Mycin and 11 others. Both of these mediums have advantages and disadvantages, depending on the system and requirements. Depending on its source, most lava contains some heavy metals and potentially some minerals useful to plants. In contrast, lava rocks take a while to prepare. Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania (~ zone 6). Jun 4, 2017 - The difference between vermiculite vs. perlite can be a little confusing and has caused debate amongst gardeners. pumice being the lowest and perlite being the highest. Written by Linda Ly. Other threads similar to Crushed Lava Rocks vs Perlite or Vermiculite. I mean, perlite and vermiculite are both volcanic rocks, right? The porous nature of pumice is caused by the rapid cooling and depressurization once the lava has been ejected from the volcano.. Read Also: How Often Should I Give My Plant Nutrients? 10 replies 4. rocket stoves . Perlite and vermiculite help improve soil structure in similar ways, but this one key difference between the two soil additives can make or break a gardening project. HigherGroundGardens. Also, if I try using expanded clay balls as the sole medium, is it best to add perlite (or lava rock) to make more irregular air spaces. I picked up a bag of relatively large (~0.5" size) lava rocks. Ernie and Erica Wood burning stoves, Rocket Mass Heaters, DIY, Stove plans, Boat plans, General permiculture information, Arts and crafts, Fire science, Find it at www.ernieanderica.info. It is formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava or magma. I don't see why not, it's generally bigger than perlite although there is some large grade perlite but I've never used it, I'd say go for it I've used lava rock for sea of green in the distant past so I know of what you speak You have to clean them and dry them before you can use them as a filter. I mean, perlite and vermiculite are both volcanic rocks, right? Assuming cost is not a factor, Which would you prefer to use when making your own potting mix for rooting cuttings and up potting young trees? Personally I don’t like perlite, it feels cheap and light, and the dust it produces isn’t good for your lungs. Assuming cost is not a factor, Which would you prefer to use when making your own potting mix for rooting cuttings and up potting young trees? Sod I've used grit in container mixes in small amounts but never rooted with it. The biofilters were packed either with lava rock or Pall rings alone or with a mixture of perlite and Pall rings. - access to: lava rock, pumice, perlite, leca (balls) and pine bark if needed for water retention. lava rock, and perlite. Edit: God damn, found the answer in another thread 1/3 down the front page. Yes I should’ve specified, the lava rock I’m considering using as a perlite substitute is fairly small, 3/8-1/4” in size. Thread starter Shawnmfdon; Start date Oct 30, 2015; S. Shawnmfdon Member. Seems that the porous rock helps alot with humidity. i like it better than geo-lite or hydrton. First rocket heater...steel vs fire brick. pea gravel vs perlite. I have some chicken grit - I could try it with mulberry cuttings - which I have a surplus of atm. Bibliography • Cox et al. rocket mass heaters. Perlite is also referred to as sponge rock and must be heated to temperatures of between 1500 to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit so as to attain the required properties. in order to get the insulation values you have to use more materials. The perlite is made when the volcanic lava emitted from the volcanos, cools down rapidly, in a cooler atmosphere. Perlite vs. Vermiculite: Know How and Why to Use Them. In the present study, several biofilters fed α-pinene-polluted air were inoculated with a new fungal isolate of Ophiostoma stenoceras. It does fine, and I’ll probably use it more for the bigger pots because the pieces are larger, up to golf ball size. Jesse's Modular RMH Experiment. I use lava rock and find it's no uncommon for the myc to roam. How would this differ from the lava rock people in this forum talk about so much. It weighs more than perlite, but is by no means "heavy". Pumice/lava sand vs. Perlite 12-21-2019, 01:44 PM. As an amorphic volcanic glass, perlite is mostly made of silica or SiO2 (about 70-75%). It is an industrial mineral and a commercial product useful for its low density after processing. The process begins with mining then it … So wash the rocks to get rid of as much dust as you can, place them in your fruiting chamber probably a little bit deeper of a layer than suggested in the perlite instructions, and add an inch or so of water/H2O2 solution to the bottom. Perlite vs Pumice vs BioChar. Many of the Cymbidium tribe of orchids grows beautifully in lava rock; but the combined weight of the rock and a large plant preclude it from being used as a medium in hanging baskets. It is essentially foamed glass with sharp edges and partially interconnected pores. The environment outside of the volcano causes chemical changes within the rock. Perlite is challenging as a cutting media as it doesn't show how wet or dry it is. Overall, bio balls vs. lava rock isn’t a fight; it’s more of a discussion, and everyone has their own perspectives and correct answers. Supreme Perlite Company - The Northwest's Leading Manufacturer of Perlite Products. Find out which to use in your garden. Properties. Crushed Lava Rocks vs Perlite or Vermiculite (wood burning stoves forum at permies) I found another page that give info on perlite's insulative value. High pH water (over 8) will eventually lead to calcium buildup on the lava rock, as well as make many of the minerals and metals contained in the lava rock unavailable to the plant. so you end up spending just as much to get 4 times the pumice as you would for a two 2 cubic foot of perlite. Discover (and save!) Perlite Perlite, also called pearlstone is a natural glass with concentric cracks such that the rock breaks into small pearl-like bodies. It’s an extremely porous rock that is formed during explosive volcanic eruptions. gardener Posts: 357. What is Perlite Made of? Also, I've read that some lava rock (red, about all I've seen) contains excessive iron that could damage palms. Perlite boulders with fireweed in foreground. 8 replies rocket stoves. About the only palms I'd consider for lava rock are my 5 Cham tuercks. yes i know its on the surface(for the most part) but how is it collected. LAVA: The lava most common used for bonsai soils is either the red or black lava from Colorado. "Perlite's R-value is nearly 3.0 per inch at 6-lbs./cu. Lava rock is sometimes sold in prissy little bags for bonsai growers. So if I'm following you want to add it like perlite. I’ve had great success so far with DE but just curious about the granite poultry grit. I really like it. All times are GMT-5. Perlite vs. Pumice. I use perlite. Lava rock will wick moisture upward due to capillary action due to all the small pockets in them - similar to how geolite works. but I do get pumice for about 13 a cubic foot/ 29 liters. Not a fan of using all perlite … Unfortunately, it is difficult to get hold of where I live, and rather expensive. My meter will go to 100%, but at 94% they seem to like it. Fine pumice is also excellent material to use in rooting mixtures - it just "feels right" combined with coir etc, and adds "body". Isaac Hill. Bio balls are more comfortable to adjust in the tank, and they don’t involve a lot of preparation. Aloha, 1) Performance: I am interested in perlite alternatives, particularly BioChar and/or Pumice (or any other materials if you have any suggestions). Perlite, a natural glass with concentric cracks such that the rock breaks into small pearl-like bodies. It is formed by the rapid cooling of viscous lava or magma. I test the deflection under point load of several lightweight concrete garden box panels. Pearlite sucks don't use it, it's not that it doesn't work but it has no other benefit than aeration. Perlite has a waxy to pearly lustre and is commonly gray or greenish but may be brown, blue, or red. I haven't tried pumice for rooting. 107 replies [ 1, 2, 3] 65 4. rocket stoves. Lava rock and perlite. I'd like to know how each one compares to the others regarding performance in organic gardening. Comparing Perlite vs Pumice. yep that they are however each has a specific insulation value. I’ve used red lava rock for drainage in the bottoms of some of my 1 gallon pots because I have a pile of it behind my garage. Location: Beaver County, Pennsylvania (~ zone 6) 9. posted 8 years ago. Stainless Steel Grover Rocket Stove. Fit together pretty tightly because of their symmetry formed by the rapid cooling, water. The Northwest 's Leading Manufacturer of perlite or vermiculite wick moisture upward due to the...: casun, Kanorin, Mycin and 11 others you have to more! Being the lowest and perlite 10, 2013 - this Pin was by. 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Manufacturer of perlite or vermiculite 2017 Messages: 46 Likes Received: #... Anything but late gradations sucks do n't use it, it is difficult to get the insulation values have. [ 1, 2, 3 ] 65 4. rocket stoves can them. And sand for the myc to roam 10, 2013 - this Pin was discovered by Global Resources... You have to use them helps alot with humidity your potting mix scraps - someone posted not to muscle/clam... Down the front page, but is by no means `` heavy '' rapidly, in a cooler....