Is it bad to add about 2 inches of lava rock to the bottom of you're soil?

[HumbleGrower420]

Okay so I've always used Lava rock for it's benefits! It Increases cell wall strength Improves nutrient uptake, helps fight off pests and it helps out with the drainage!
I usually put about 1-2 inches of Lava rock at the bottom of my smart pots, Lava rocks also contain iron, calcium, magnesium and Silica, Silica has a lot of great benefits I've listed below.

• Strengths cell wall
• Improves nutrient uptake
• Helps fight off pests

My friend seems to think since im going to be smoking my buds that the roots have been up taking water with the Lava rocks at the bottom it's the same as just inhaling silica!! Does anyone else here on RIU agree with my friend??

 

[Budzbuddha]

Or pumice

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Or pumice

I think lava rock is a little better, but I use pumice more since it's cheaper and lighter. Lava rock is more porous.

 

[Kassiopeija]

I despise everything heavy in pots due to worse handling. Then, to have the drainage outside allows for better suckback when drainage is unwanted in organics feeds.
And you could have those minerals added as fine stone meal and then it would mix perfectly and given better access. There's Diabas that is high in Si, Fe and a lots of micros. And then when you recycle needs to separate it

 

[Budzbuddha]

Or even better ….. azomite granular - DTE

 

[PadawanWarrior]

Pot risers is another option.

 

[waterproof808]

My friend seems to think since im going to be smoking my buds that the roots have been up taking water with the Lava rocks at the bottom it's the same as just inhaling silica!! Does anyone else here on RIU agree with my friend??

Your friend is dumb.

Also, the only thing you are accomplishing by putting lava rock at the bottom of your pot is giving your roots less medium to grow in. It's better to just mix the rock in with your medium to increase drainage/aeration.

 

[coreywebster]

I it's the same as just inhaling silica!! Does anyone else here on RIU agree with my friend??

No.

Silica is present in large amounts in soil and coco anyway

 

[Fastslappy]

Your friend is dumb.

Also, the only thing you are accomplishing by putting lava rock at the bottom of your pot is giving your roots less medium to grow in. It's better to just mix the rock in with your medium to increase drainage/aeration.

yep multiple studies show adding a layer of rock at the bottom just reduces the root ball size . bigger the root ball the more weight on the fruits this proven by modern ag practices