Verdict on acceptable aeration for notill?

[Kind Sir]

So I’m having a hell of a time finding pumice. Online is like out of the question, due to shipping price (unless anyone can help me find some.) I know I can find some thick perlite, and I have broken up lava rock before.

Is broken up lava rock legit? It has the porous feature so the microbes can penetrate it some. Between finding quality compost and aeration locally, I’m having a hell of a time.

It looks like I’m only using 10-15 gallon pots this round, so I don’t need a lot but still.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

Lava rock is heavy but great. I've got some in my mix still from a while back. Perlite is good I think. People say it floats to the top but mine never has. i can get it locally so that makes it a premier aeration !material in my book. It's all I use but I'm in 7 gallon and recycle my soil. If you want something else look for Growstones. Similar to pumice but bigger. Company may be out of business. Good luck!

 

[green_machine_two9er]

What's your location?

 

[youraveragehorticulturist]

Perlite is totally effective and cool. As long as I don't flood my pots with inches of standing water on top of the soil, I've never had issues with it floating to the top.

Lava rock and broken up lava rock is OK too. It's just that it's still pretty big and I would be worried about texture of the soil getting too concrete like.

I think mostly perlite with some lava rock would be best. Like a mixture of particle sizes to keep the soil fluffy.

In the future you can add pumice it coarse perlite or whatever fancy aeration you can track down. For right now perlite is more than acceptable. And some lava rock is cool too.

 

[JustBlazin]

you can also use crushed oyster shell for some aeration....not exactly sure how much you would want to use because it has calcium and trace minerals in it so im sure you could over due it, it also helps buffer the soil
anybody know what kind of ratios you would use for the crushed oyster shell?

i use it, only put in about 1-2 table spoons per gallon of soil though because i also put in 1 tbs of dolomite lime and 1 tbs oyster shell flour, not sure if that's a good ratio or not to tell you the truth.

 

[Growitpondifarm]

Perlite is totally fine. I’m on 4 years with same potting soil mix, haven’t added anything in terms of aeration and started with basic perlite. Cheapest bag I could find. The aeration thing is way over thought on pot forums. As your soil matures and you add good fresh compost aeration becomes less and less needed. Good Compost is essentially and aeration material in its self. Good luck

 

[Kind Sir]

I live in the Midwest west of Ohio in there. I may just use coarse perlite. I have trouble bc I read so much about everything, multiple times sometimes. It causes problems bc I spend so much time reading, when I just need to make a decision... but ya all I need is aeration, compost (hard to find that’s not expensive,) and a 4x4 tent.

I wanted an Apollo tent bc I have trouble trusting other brands besides gorilla...

 

[green_machine_two9er]

I live in the Midwest west of Ohio in there. I may just use coarse perlite. I have trouble bc I read so much about everything, multiple times sometimes. It causes problems bc I spend so much time reading, when I just need to make a decision... but ya all I need is aeration, compost (hard to find that’s not expensive,) and a 4x4 tent.

I wanted an Apollo tent bc I have trouble trusting other brands besides gorilla...

Well if your down for a road trip to west Michigan we got plenty of pumice compost and almost everything for soil builds at our local grow shop. Plus gorilla tents cheap.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

I live in the Midwest west of Ohio in there. I may just use coarse perlite. I have trouble bc I read so much about everything, multiple times sometimes. It causes problems bc I spend so much time reading, when I just need to make a decision... but ya all I need is aeration, compost (hard to find that’s not expensive,) and a 4x4 tent.

I wanted an Apollo tent bc I have trouble trusting other brands besides gorilla...

I am the same way about making decisio ns. I read and research then read some more and even after I make my move I still read more just to confirm I made the right choice. It can lead to confusion and post purchase depress ion. Just like many have said here perlite is good. It's light weight, cheap, and best of all its available. Can't go wrong with it. Good luck!

 

[green_machine_two9er]

Yes perlite works fine. Properly moisture soil wil become a living blob. Like a big cake. Held together. I've never seen big issue with perlite. However on using half perlite (from
The promix) and half pumice this round and I'm loving it.

More important than the airation. Is wuality EWC. Compost can have its place but I usually wouldn't do more than 1 qt per cf. castings should be 2 to 2.5 g /cf. honestly you can skip extra compost.

Or activate biochar with compost.

 

[youraveragehorticulturist]

Chucks of rotting wood from the forest are great too. They hold air and lighten the mix like aeration. They also retain moisture and introduce fungus and bacteria like compost.

 

[Bignutes]

Rice hulls are far superior to pumice or lava rock for aeration. rice hulls keep the soil from compacting. find a beer makers store they will have it on hand.

 

[ChrispyCritter]

Rice hulls are far superior to pumice or lava rock for aeration. rice hulls keep the soil from compacting. find a beer makers store they will have it on hand.

That sounds great! I thought aeration and aeration materials in general relieves soil compaction. What makes the rice hills far superior? Thank you.

 

[Bignutes]

Think of rice hulls as a pouch that carries the rice grain, if you remove the rice kernel your still left with the pouch that is occupied by air. It also has some spring to it, If you put rice hulls into soil and push down on it in the pot there is a springiness to the soil that's not there with pumice or perlite.

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Rice hulls are far superior to pumice or lava rock for aeration. rice hulls keep the soil from compacting. find a beer makers store they will have it on hand.

Not true. Rice hulls break down, lava rock and pumice do not. I use it, but I also use pumice and lava rock.

I said screw it and just ordered the pumice and lava rock from BAS. But I'm in CO, so shipping isn't that bad for me.

 

[kratos015]

Perlite is totally fine. I’m on 4 years with same potting soil mix, haven’t added anything in terms of aeration and started with basic perlite. Cheapest bag I could find. The aeration thing is way over thought on pot forums. As your soil matures and you add good fresh compost aeration becomes less and less needed. Good Compost is essentially and aeration material in its self. Good luck

Agreed. Perlite is cheap, readily available, and hassle free. Can't beat $20/4cuft.