Growstone users plz...

[fredman]

Any information from people using this? I did the search here but not much on it.
I saw this at my local hardware a few months ago. Was super expensive then, so I figured i'll stick with pumice alone. Now it seems they cant get it sold so they slashed the price. They have a few pallets of it....That made me interested again. Its very similar to pumice in appearance and the dry weight of it. Its exactly the same size as the pumice i use to....only a different colour which might look better in the pot when mixed with pumice. Has anybody been using this? How do you find it?
Thanks in advance...

 

[BrianBay9]

Many recent threads here on this product. Most people seem to like it. Try a BNut search.

 

[fredman]

Did the search. There is mentions of it yes, but no users that gives a proper feedback. No discussions on it. Makes me think its not being used much...maybe because its a bit expensive?
What I'm actually interested in is, someone that has been using it for a while, and can make a proper comparison to other components.....

 

[coh]

There are "growstones" which are a fairly large size (probably what those bags are, probably too large for a soil component) and "growstone soil aerator" which is the same material but smaller particles. I have some of the latter and have used it as a component for some plants (seedlings/cuttings mostly). Haven't noticed any issues but haven't really done any systematic comparisons with other materials.

The stuff is very lightweight.

Edit - just noticed that the label on the bag in your first pic says "soil aerator", so that is the good one. For $10, you should just get a few bags and give it a try. You will most likely have to sift, the bags I've had contain a very wide range of particle sizes.

 

[MichaelS]

I would suggest using a mask when sifting as it's made of glass fibres. Also heard that it's fairly alkaline so it might need washing?

 

[coh]

I think using a mask when sifting any soil components is a good idea. As for the alkalinity...I read that somewhere as well, but have no idea if it's true. I'm going to test some of mine and see what I get.

 

[fredman]

Chris. Yeah its the ideal size. Same as the pumice I get in bags...1/8-1/4". Its about half the weight of pumice. My suspicion is it would hold about the same amount of moisture as pumice.
Problem is the price. Its still to expensive. I get pumice at $10 per 50 pond bag. For me to use this, for any other reason than its colour, it must have some special properties compared to pumice, and I cant see that really....!

Mike. Yeah I always wash the sifted ones properly before I use it. There is an awesome amount of powder in a pumice bag. The other day while I was sifting I heard the wife screaming behind me. When I looked up there was a cloud drifting into her wet washing hanging on the washing line.....

(note to self..i should wear a mask...!!!)

 

[coh]

If you can get 50 pound of pumice for $10, you don't need growstones!

 

[fredman]

Yeah I'm coming to that conclusion to. Just thought i'll check to see if someone found something significant about it. Its actually nothing more than a fabricated pumice....that's why it more expensive to.

 

[BrianBay9]

It's just recycled glass, blown with air. I use it because I don't have a local source for pumice. I if I had a choice I'd go with whichever was cheaper.

 

[fredman]

Brian what do you pay for it? Just for interest sake.

 

[BrianBay9]

Last I bought was $40 for 1.5 cu ft bag. Now it looks like it's dropped to $30.

 

[fredman]

I bought a bag. Going to do a comparison to pumice with it tomorrow. Want to see which holds it's water the longest...just for interest

 

[Shima]

I bought a bag. Going to do a comparison to pumice with it tomorrow. Want to see which holds it's water the longest...just for interest

It IS pumice. Pumice is expanded glass, so is this.

 

[fredman]

True. Like diamonds .... One made by man. One made by nature. The one is only half the weight of the other...

 

[sorce]

They slashed the price cuz everyone is just buying pumice.

Sorce

 

[f1pt4]

I have no access to Pumice, and I use Growstones Mix This, as part of a mix. I have been experimenting with it, and so far so good. My only negative is that it's so damn light. I top dress it with lava or something heavier, granite maybe, so that it doesn't fall out of the pots. Other than that. Water goes straight through, healthy roots, plants seem to like it.

I actually put growstones mixthis instead of pearlite into houseplant potting mixture as well. So far so good. I buy my stuff on Amazon, and it ain't too expensive. The Hydroponic stores around where I live don't seem to carry it.

Good luck, hope you like it.

 

[Shima]

I have no access to Pumice, and I use Growstones Mix This, as part of a mix. I have been experimenting with it, and so far so good. My only negative is that it's so damn light. I top dress it with lava or something heavier, granite maybe, so that it doesn't fall out of the pots. Other than that. Water goes straight through, healthy roots, plants seem to like it.

I actually put growstones mixthis instead of pearlite into houseplant potting mixture as well. So far so good. I buy my stuff on Amazon, and it ain't too expensive. The Hydroponic stores around where I live don't seem to carry it.

Good luck, hope you like it.

The stores would probably get it if you asked. Never had a problem with it falling out of the pot.

 

[f1pt4]

The stores would probably get it if you asked. Never had a problem with it falling out of the pot.

Maybe I just put too much

 

[fredman]

They slashed the price cuz everyone is just buying pumice

The gardeners in general don't buy pumice although it so abundant and cheap. They don't understand (oblivious) the basics of soil for container planting. They just do potting soil....

comparison to pumice

Pumice is about 50% heavier than growstone.
Pumice sucks up about 60% of its own weight in water. Growstone about 50%.
Over a 6 hr period...Pumice holds its water longer than Growstone by about 20%.