Cacti and other succulents want soils with good drainage. Pumice enables enthusiasts to mix the perfect soil to balance watering frequency and drainage rate.
The choice of grade in pumice soil allows for simple management of drainage rates: larger grades (stones) drain more quickly and hold less moisture than smaller grades. To achieve perfection, grower-blended grades are used when necessary.
How should a pumice stone be applied to a cactus?
Improve drainage by amending beds with a mixture of 25% garden soil, 25% pumice, 25% compost, and 25% sharp (large-grain) sand such as decomposed granite for succulents and other plants that can’t sit in damp soil.
Plant fat euphorbias and other cactus-like plants that hold moisture and are particularly prone to rotting in berms that have been 50 percent pumice-amended. Fill the planting hole with pumice to enclose the roots and prevent the plant’s crown from touching the earth if amending the soil in a garden bed is not an option.
To absorb rainwater that pools around plants, topdress with pumice. Use a metal rod or broom handle to create a circle around the plant with vertical tunnels (air holes) that are several feet deep for succulents and other plants that are in danger due to soft, wet soil. Place them around that far from the plant’s base and 12 to 18 inches apart. (It is intended to add pumice to the soil without harming the roots.) To make it simpler to funnel pumice into the holes at soil level, enlarge the perforations there a little.
Pumice or perlite—which is superior?
Lexi and Austin Petelski, the dynamic brother and sister duo that runs General Pumice Products, were just introduced to me.
These energetic young gardeners are here to assist clarify the differences between pumice and perlite after recently purchasing two California pumice mines.
Pumice will be especially useful to those of you who enjoy growing succulents because it not only aids in water absorption and delayed release, but also in aerating the soil.
Pumice is an excellent way to stop succulent pots and water-sensitive plants (such as leucadendrons, euphorbias, proteas, and grevilleas) from sitting in pooled water and drowning.
You’re both so young! When did you realize you wanted to own and operate a pumice mine?
Sincerity be told, we never in a million years would have imagined that this would be our future. Before purchasing the pumice mines, neither my brother nor I had any experience in the horticulture industry.
What fundamentally signaled the beginning of our foray into gardening? “It was actually the mining aspect of pumice that drew us to the industry in general.
For the past 40 years, our family has worked with heavy equipment and construction, and all of a sudden, we learned that two pumice mines in California needed to be reclaimed. Being the business mastermind that he is, our father viewed them as a fantastic asset, so we bought them, reclaimed them, and completely refurbished both mines.
After purchasing the mines, we began investigating alternative markets and applications for pumice “Pumice is an item you use to scrub your feet, and the enormous options it presents are overwhelming. Amazingly, we found that pumice is used in over 30 industries, including pencil erasers, lightweight concrete, makeup, and gardening!
Since these were the most typical and well-liked markets for it, we initially focused on lightweight concrete and stone companies (since pumice is employed as an aggregate), oil absorbent industries, and kitty litter organizations. However, after much investigation, we discovered article after article claiming that pumice appears to be the healthiest and best soil amendment/conditioner available to professional gardeners.
Due to the pre-purchase conditions of the mines, there was no local supply of pumice for horticultural consumers despite the high demand.
We immediately began working full-time on the nursery and gardening markets and fell head over heels for the business. As soon as we started selling to farms, wholesale growers, soil firms, etc., business simply began to take off.
The horticulture industry has by far been the most enjoyable of all the industries we have pursued since owning the mines because the people are fantastic, warm, and friendly and genuinely adore our product. We adore being able to offer a fantastic product to individuals who have long been in need of it and, in some cases, even have a strong passion for it.
The nicest thing about working in the gardening industry, in my opinion, is that we have developed a strong passion for succulents and have visited some of the most amazing nurseries on earth. Though we are new to the actual growing part of the industry, we have had a fantastically wonderful time learning, and our most recent objective is to concentrate on developing our own green thumbs.
So, what’s the difference between pumice and perlite (and other similar products on the market)?
A natural, 100% organic growing medium known as pumice offers the perfect blend of moisture retention, gas exchange, and drainage properties.
Most gardeners typically use perlite, peat moss, coco coir, and vermiculite in their soils; while these materials may have some advantages, they don’t compare to our pumice.
Since I sell pumice, I’m not just stating that it belongs in its own category. None of the comparable products are 100% ORGANIC, nor do they provide all the health advantages and water-saving features that our pumice has been scientifically shown to have.
Over 70 different trace vitamins and minerals have been found in our pumice, which has been scientifically verified and helps purify and revitalize your plants.
Just like our bodies, succulents, produce, and flowers need daily nourishment. These minerals, including zeolite, fulvic acid, iron, sodium, humic acid, calcium, nitrogen, potassium, and many more, are abundant in our pumice.
Because your plants can only be as healthy as what they consume, or what you feed them, they require certain nutrients in order to be healthy and prosper. Plants require a balanced diet with advantageous bacteria, minerals, and nutrition just like humans do, and none of our rival goods can provide such things.
Our pumice’s ability to conserve water is another significant distinction and advantage over other soil amendment methods. Numerous minuscule holes on every pumice stone work as tiny sponges to store the nutrient-rich water before releasing it when the soil need hydration. Utilizing pumice in your soil provides for air circulation, oxygenation of the root zone, release of carbon dioxide, and constant availability of nutrients for root absorption. No other soil conditioner or addition can accomplish this.
Because pumice is heavier than its top rival Perlite, it must remain mixed with the soil in order to prevent floating to the top of your containers and being blown away.
Lastly, pumice never needs to be replaced because it never decomposes (unlike Coco Coir and Peat Moss that tends to rot and must be removed.)
What’s the best way for home gardeners to use pumice in their garden or containers?
wonderful question Well, the quality of the soil is everything when it comes to growing healthy plants. The soil must be able to contain water and nutrients without drowning your succulents and plants, while also ensuring that the roots receive an uninterrupted supply of oxygen and that root-level carbon dioxide may quickly escape the root zone.
Pumice is the best material for plants that require water because its minute holes function as tiny sponges. As a result, if the soil is overwatered, the pumice will absorb any excess moisture and store it inside its pores until the soil needs to be rehydrated.
The simplest and most efficient soil mix that our larger clients and in-house home gardeners have given us is a blend of half dirt and half pumice. Numerous articles and YouTube videos on how to mix the ideal soil blends for particular breeds of succulents and plants are available from Debra Lee Baldwin, a succulent author and specialist with whom we collaborate frequently. Debra suggests combining equal amounts of garden soil, pumice, coarse sand (like crushed granite), and compost for a huge garden mix.
Would you consider pumice and pumice mining, an environmentally friendly alternative to other similar garden products?
The greatest environmentally friendly gardening product you can use is YESPumice, without a doubt!
It not only originates from the earth, but it also retains its natural state. All we do is sort it by size using a screen, package it, and send it.
Our pumice is unheated and untreated with chemicals; it is simply dug up from the ground and placed in your garden.
Unlike comparable items, ours does not emit any dangerous or harmful chemical fumes or dust. What is superior to that?
Where can gardeners find your product?
General Pumice Products are available in 15lb bags, and gardeners can order them online and have them delivered right to their front door for free as well!
On pumice, can succulents survive?
The use of pumice as a soil additive for succulent plants has gained a lot of popularity thanks to one excellent pumice provider, General Pumice Products.
Pumice is considerably more durable than perlite, as was already noted, so if you’re using a more organic soil, I definitely recommend adding some.
Succulents can also be planted in pumice alone, but you’ll need to be cautious about how frequently you water them.
Pumice is incredibly porous, and the many holes that make up each particle collect water. Pumice, which is similar to the gritty mix in that it allows for more ventilation around the particles, doesn’t “feel” damp like typical potting soil and can be beneficial for succulents.
It does, however, hold a lot of water, so you should wait until it is totally dry before watering your succulents once more.
How can I speed up the growth of my cactus?
Cacti, often known as cactuses, are fairly slow-growing plants that can take years to exhibit noticeable growth. Is there anything you can do, though, to help your cactus grow more quickly? You’ll discover general care advice and advice on how to make your cactus grow quicker in this post.
You must maintain a regular watering schedule, enable adequate air exchange, and water cacti with soft water if you want them to develop more quickly. Additionally, nurture your cactus while they are growing and let them inactive throughout the colder months.
To how much potting mix should I put pumice?
- Pumice can be added to any horticultural soil mixture in amounts as low as 10% and still have positive effects.
- Use this for up to half of your potting soil medium for growing succulents.
- You have the option of using it right out of the bag or activating or supercharging it first by saturating it with nutrients and advantageous bacteria. Before adding your pumice to your garden soil, simply let it sit in a nutrient solution, such as compost tea, for at least 24 hours to activate it.
Can I combine pumice with perlite?
Ever pondered the nature of the tiny white particles in your potting soil? Most of the time, they are pumice or perlite. Pumice is a soft, insert-mined stone that frequently originates from Oregon, whereas perlite is a mined siliceous rock that is heated and inflated, or “popped like popcorn,” into a white lightweight substance. Being screened for consistency and having the finer particles removed makes Black Gold Perlite and Black Gold Pumice highly appealing.
As porous rocks, perlite and pumice are both added to potting soil to enhance aeration and drainage. A potting soil’s ability to retain moisture and nutrients will also be improved by the addition of perlite and pumice. Similar to peat moss, they serve as reservoirs for water and nutrients, storing them until the plant needs them.
Pumice gives potting soil bulk density because of its weight. When you are growing plants in outside containers and you don’t want them to topple over in the wind, this quality is advantageous. Because it offers excellent aeration and aids in root encapsulation, pumice is frequently the aggregate of choice for speciality potting soils (cactus, bonsai).
Perlite serves as a component of potting soil mixes and is a superior neutral media for germination of seeds and cuttings. Additionally, it can be used to hold bulbs and is a crucial component of hypertufa planters.
How should pumice be applied to plants?
Mix 25 percent pumice with 25 percent garden soil, 25 percent compost, and 25 percent large grain sand to increase drainage for plants like succulents. For plants like some euphorbias that are prone to rotting, amend the soil by adding 50% pumice, or in place of amending the soil, fill the planting hole with pumice so the roots are completely covered.
Is pumice better than perlite?
When a plant is tall, it is recommended to use pumice since its weight may assist keep the pot from toppling over. Pumice also has a far longer shelf life than perlite. Contrarily, pumice might be harder to find in stores, especially in the crushed form that is typically used in gardening, and more significantly, it might cost more than perlite.
Can I substitute pumice for perlite for growing plants?
Pumice can be used in place of perlite, yes. Pumice is a great medium for plant growth and has several advantages. By improving soil absorption in sandy soils, which reduces runoff and fertilization, it lessens water runoff and fertilization. Additionally, it absorbs extra moisture, which prevents the roots from decaying. Pumice helps to maintain soil structure because it does not disintegrate or compress over time in the same way that other soil additives do.
What can be substituted for perlite?
Depending on the application and the properties of the material, there may be several perlite substitutes. For instance, calcined clay and coarse sand can be used as perlite’s substitutes for aeration. Compared to perlite, sand and clay are less expensive and offer greater drainage. Additionally, as an alternative to perlite, you can use bark, coco coir, peat moss, rice husks, vermiculite, calcined clay, and granite gravel, depending on the needs of your garden.