Best deal on the internet for graded pumice?
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markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
I've bought pumice (and scoria) by the pallet from Wee Tree, but others will ship in bulk also. Shipping will vary by distance from Oregon, but all in (including shipping) I paid about $15 for a 40 pound bag. It comes 50 bags per pallet. So get some bonsai buddies together and split a pallet - it's the most economical way to go by far.
Scott
Scott
quietobserver
Omono
Dallasbonsai.com IF you're spending $75.00 and over to get free shipping. If not either bonsaijack.com or weetree.com depending on the quantity you're ordering.
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
As far as I know, Dalls Bonsai does not sell in bulk. They'll sell a 10 quart bag for $20 or so, but that's nowhere near 40 pounds. I've purchased soil and other items from them before and have always been happy with their service, but if you can buy your soil in bulk, you can do so for a fraction of the price.
Scott
Scott
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
I don't know if I'd really call the stuff from Wee Tree "graded". I've ordered single boxes from them a number of times and I always wind up sifting out a lot of fines. With their stuff you get a wide range of particle sizes which is good if you want that...not so good if you're looking for a particular size range. Their pallet deal seems pretty good, even with shipping it would be much cheaper (per unit) that way. If I could find someone locally to split a shipment I'd do it.
Haven't tried bonsaijack or dallas bonsai. Have bought from a couple of private sellers (through ebay and facebook groups) which is where you might want to look for the best price. However, all the prices are for the most part pretty similar.
Chris
Haven't tried bonsaijack or dallas bonsai. Have bought from a couple of private sellers (through ebay and facebook groups) which is where you might want to look for the best price. However, all the prices are for the most part pretty similar.
Chris
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
C -
It's true - with the Wee Tree material, you will end up sieving. Breakdown for Wee Tree pumice (at least in the last shipment) is:
29% is 1/2"-3/8"
33% is 3/8"-1/4"
37" is 1/4"-1/8"
11% is < 1/8"
I discard the < 1/8" fraction and use everything else for different purposes. The coarse fraction for drainage, the 3/8"-1/4" for most plants, the 1/4"-1/8" for finer root growth,. Turface, in contrast, is:
0% is 1/2" -3/8"
4% is 3/8"-1/4"
51% is 1/4"-1/8"
45% is <1/8"
Scott
FrankP999
Shohin
There are usually several vendors on EBay selling pumice and lava.
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
This was the best price I found on ebay when I bought some last month. There are several sellers, and their prices shift, so do compare. I found this to be wonderful as far as only getting the sizes I wanted, most of the sellers are not as good as these batches I got from this seller. Of course I'm not buying a pallet or anything, just several gallons of a couple sizes.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250654715770?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/250654715770?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
coh
Imperial Masterpiece
Judy, that's about the best price I've seen. Will have to give them a try next time I need pumice.
Chris
Chris
Giga
Masterpiece
JudyB
Queen of the Nuts
That's a good price giga, but it's not graded at all, so there will be some waste of smaller sizes and dust. The stuff I linked to was very clean and perfectly graded.
Giga
Masterpiece
Yeah I've ordered both places before, I don't mind different grades as I use all of it, but there both pretty good depending on what you want.
sorce
Nonsense Rascal
Judy,
If that is the same pumice as in the Zelcova, I find it to be the perfect size.
Highly recommended!
That Boon Mix seems to be all its cracked up to be!
Sorce
If that is the same pumice as in the Zelcova, I find it to be the perfect size.
Highly recommended!
That Boon Mix seems to be all its cracked up to be!
Sorce
berobinson82
Omono
I've been very happy with bonsaijack.com over the years.
JoeR
Masterpiece
I'm looking for some too. Would 1/8 or 1/4 size be better for developing trees for feeder roots? I think 1/8 but I'm unsure.
wireme
Masterpiece
I like 3/8 myself unless its a very small pot, I mostly have conifers.
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
I'm definitely buying some pumice from the seller Judy posted, but does anyone have a decent source for lava rock?
markyscott
Imperial Masterpiece
On the east coast, consider Beam Clay:
http://www.beamclay.com/13 - Bonsai.pdf
As with the pumice, I strongly advise you to consider buying in bulk. You will save a lot of money. The 40 lb bags of pumice from Wee Tree worked out to less than $15 per bag total - including the shipping costs - when I buy a pallet. That's about 5 times the amount of pumice for less than the shipping costs of the eBay seller. There's nothing wrong with buying from there - the Wee Tree pumice flat rate box is quite similarly priced because of shipping costs. So I think your getting a fair deal, but you'll also save a ton buying in bulk. I split the order with friends and stack the bags beneath my benches covered by a tarp. It keeps fine.
Beam Clay will sell by the pallet as well. I've never bought from them, but I did get a sample and a shipping quote for a pallet. It was red lava and looked to be pretty good quality. Before shipping, a single 50 lb bag of Beam Clay lava rock is $9.85 - $9.38 if you buy it by pallet.
Not sure where you are in Northern Virginia, RR. But Beam Clay is in Great Meadows, NJ - about a 5 hour drive from Staunton.
- Scott
Redwood Ryan
Masterpiece
Thanks Scott, but unfortunately buying a pallet isn't feasible for me. I'm not a part of the NVBS due to a tight schedule, so buying online is my only option.
29+33+37+11=110????
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