Hoffman Lava Rock?

mastajason

hey everyone,

i have been having issues finding pumice or lava rock locally. A nearby hardware store carries "Hoffman Lava Rock." Is anyone familiar with this product, and if its any good for bonsai soil?

http://www.shop.com/op/~Hoffman_A_H...71?sourceid=298

Check out the link for me! thanks

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RedPine

I am sure the bag of lava stones from them is perfectly fine quality product, what matters when shopping for lava is the particle size and not so much a brand name. 1/4" is the most popular particle size for lava being used in bonsai culture. Avoid the landscaping sized particles of 1", 2" etc.. they are just to big.

mastajason

yes i see what you mean...i will have to stop by and check the bag out. anyone out there ever purchase this stuff?

rockm

The picture on the bag looks a little large for bonsai soil...

onlyrey

From what I can read and correlate to the pictures on this site, the size might be about 1/2" diameter. Not sure at all though.

http://www.fukubonsai.com/4c3a.html

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Disclaimer: All my bonsai are beautiful, the pictures lie.

ObiBoobyWan

I'm having a similiar problem finding lava rock that is properly sized. I can find it, but only in very large pieces. At this point I have for my soil:

Turface MVP (11$, 50lbs) - a little fine, will be sifted
"Better Gro" Orchid bark - a little big, will be broken up a bit and sifted
Schultz Potting Bark (Fir Bark) - good sized, will be sifted

I'm not sure what to use as an additional inorganic. I really want lava rock because it porous. I will not order it and pay shipping for it however.

I'm considering making an attempt at breaking up the larger lava rock I can buy. I've read conflicting opinions on if this is possible or not. I'm doubtful that it is.

Besides lava rock that is too big, I appear to have the options of using Perlite or smooth gravel (pea gravel or aquarium gravel). I have not "seen" perlite yet but it feels like it must be incredibly fine when I feel it in it's bag. I'm a little put off by this and have trouble understanding how it would be a suitable substitute for much bigger and porous lava rock. Pea gravel seems to fit the bill better by being bigger. I haven't seen pumice or haydite anywhere. I have seen granite, but again way to big. Every rock I've seen is too big or totally smooth.

Any suggestions on where I might find lava rock locally? Suggestions on breaking up lava rock? Is it possible? Would you recommend perlite over smooth pea gravel? And comments on the parts of my soil mix that I already have?

Thanks,

Rob - Tampa, FL (all my trees are small, many in 4" containers)

I'm also about to order "pond baskets" online. I want pots with a screened in side of some sort as well as a pot that is extremely cheap (1-2$ each). Anyone had a good experience ordering these from a particular online site?

rockm

Pea gravel is in adequate for bonsai soil. It is rounded and too large. Think angular, less than 1/2", durable and non-compacting.

If you're set on using orchid bark, skip every grade except "seedling." The regular grow bark is far to large and you have to make it smaller. Seedling grade is already small AND the same price, usually, from what I've seen.

Joanie

They sell "decorative lava rock" in small bags in most nurseries. Try Home Depot or Lowes or your local equivalent. Look in the area where they have smaller bags of cactus mix, etc. They usually have pumice too. Think about the places that would have cactus displays, etc. They have the right size for what you want.

Pea gravel is just a space filler, it doesn't do a lot of good. I repotted some trees that had been put into a lot of pea gravel and boy were their roots awful! Same with decomposed granite, and it makes the danged pot so heavy! Pumice or lava is much better. Pumice or lava are like Thomas's English Muffins, they are good because of the 'nooks and crannies'.

Perlite is like crispy popcorn, it comes in big particles but lots of small stuff and dust too. It's great for cuttings particularly. It's also cheap enough to use for lightening up growing beds, or as a part of the mix in big growing boxes. A really big bag... maybe four feet tall and a foot or so in diameter... can be had for about $17. It lightens the soil and keeps some moisture in, and really encourages good root growth.

Keep the bark percentage low, because it can take nitrogen away from the roots when it starts to decompose.

Joanie

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ObiBoobyWan

The pea gravel I have seen is definitely smaller than 1/2", much closer to 1/4", some smaller. I think with proper sifting I could get a good sized particle collected. I have no desire to use pea gravel, just wanted to point out that what I have seen contains particles well under 1/2". I know this doesn't make it "not smooth" also

As for the orchid bark, there was no specification on it. Just Orchid bark. No small, medium, large. No seedling. It's is a bit too large but is broken up easily enough. Again I am not set on using this, but besides the two organics I bought the only other option was pine bark which was far, far too big and cedar bark which was more properly sized, but I seem to remember being discouraged from using it from inforamtion gathered here. Again, I'm not set on the orchid bark, but for what's avaiblable to me in my area, it seemed like a good choice. all other barks have been grossly oversized.

After having a good look at the sledgehammer available to me I'm feeling more confident about breaking up lava rock. I'm not sure I feel too good about whatever surface I'll be breaking it ON however


Thanks for the responses guys.