perlite vs lava rock

[NYCorchidman]

Straight perlite is nearly uselss and annoying for reasons other members have pointed out already. lol

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by weederwoman

Thank you. I will need to find a local source for the lava rock that is as reasonable in quantity and price as the perlite. It is used here in Oregon by the ton to spread on the icy roads, but I fear the stores will only have pricey little bags. And thanks for the info on the expanded clay.

Wow! We pay $5 for a small bag of perlit! I wish we had a supply like that.
Lava rock I bought at the local Canadian tire store where it is used for landscaping. I boil it to kill spores, because I had ferns growing out of my containers along with the moss.

[weederwoman]

I get my perlite from a hydroponics store in very large bags. I mostly use it to mix in with potting soil for greenhouse and "outside" potted plants. I also mix it in with bark for my orchids. I'm going to have to search for a reasonable supply of lava rock to experiment with. We don't have any local stores that specialize in orchids. Did you have success with boiling the landscape rock, vanda lover?

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by weederwoman

I get my perlite from a hydroponics store in very large bags. I mostly use it to mix in with potting soil for greenhouse and "outside" potted plants. I also mix it in with bark for my orchids. I'm going to have to search for a reasonable supply of lava rock to experiment with. We don't have any local stores that specialize in orchids. Did you have success with boiling the landscape rock, vanda lover?

Home depot carries red lava rock in landscape area. Its cheap and works well.

---------- Post added at 05:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:48 PM ----------

@ home depot I got 2 medium/large bags for less than 9.00 still have not used it all.

[Jayfar]

Also perlite dust is probably very bad for the lungs if you happen to breathe some in while handling it dry.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by weederwoman

I get my perlite from a hydroponics store in very large bags. I mostly use it to mix in with potting soil for greenhouse and "outside" potted plants. I also mix it in with bark for my orchids. I'm going to have to search for a reasonable supply of lava rock to experiment with. We don't have any local stores that specialize in orchids. Did you have success with boiling the landscape rock, vanda lover?

Yes, it works fine. No more ferns peeking out of the containers. I'm thinking of switching over a few more plants to lava rock, when the time is right.

[weederwoman]

Thank you all for the great advice.

[Optimist]

Originally Posted by weederwoman

Thank you. I will need to find a local source for the lava rock that is as reasonable in quantity and price as the perlite. It is used here in Oregon by the ton to spread on the icy roads, but I fear the stores will only have pricey little bags. And thanks for the info on the expanded clay.

Check Wal-Mart. It's less than $4.00 per bag.

[stonedragonfarms]

I buy lava rock down here in Eugene at Lowes; it's in the garden/landscaping section; the cost is usually about $3-5 for a 40# bag.
Adam

[weederwoman]

Can you use the lava rock from Lowes without sterilizing it in any way? If you break it into smaller pieces with a hammer will some fly up into your face?
Maybe put it in a junk pillowcase. Thanks.