Is there a perlite shortage? Alternatives to perlite?

[PhilippineExpat 84]

4 hours ago, lzorrito said:

Hummm... here's something really out of the box! It turns out that certain cultures use rice husks (fresh, carbonized and burnt) as soil conditioner and it seems to have characteristics similar to expanded polystyrene, phenolic foam, sand, wood by-products such as sawdust and wood fiber. It can also be used as a mulch, very well. Another viable alternative to perlite. How long does it take to decay?

It's actually really popular here and is used for a million things. It also makes a great chicken bedding! It's probably cheaper here, though, because I'm in Asia so all things rice are in good supply. As for decomposition, I've found they last a few months in the ground, but when used as mulch it lasts a lot longer. Given soil needs to be replenished with volume every now and then anyways, it doesn't bother me to reapply. When I need to reapply, I mix the old mulch layer into the top soil and apply a new level of mulch. I think the decay is fine, though, because it enhances the soil structure. I had to dig out a plant where I amended the soil deeply with rice hull. The hulls were decomposed, but I noticed the soil was far more light and airy. It's also great for container plants because it adds a lot of volume but very little weight. Oh, and for mulch I was worried wind would blow the rice hulls away because they are so light, but it has never been an issue.

As for carbonized rice hull, it is a popular soil amendment but can't be used as mulch. It has a very sandy texture and I think it decomposed pretty fast. 

Edited August 30, 2020 by PhilippineExpat

[palmsOrl 1,948]

I picked up this bag of coarse Vermiculite Saturday from a local garden center for $39.99 plus tax.

[Moose 1,492]

2 hours ago, palmsOrl said:

I picked up this bag of coarse Vermiculite Saturday from a local garden center for $39.99 plus tax.

Score 

[DoomsDave 9,717]

No trouble getting perlite here in California.

[Scott W 550]

Lol, old post revived by a spammer.... literally his one and only post that was placed minutes matter joining to link to his product.

[Merlyn 1,827]

Yeah, fortunately the spammer got deleted.  I actually had to online order the Vigoro 2cuft perlite bags from Home Depot a couple of weeks ago, they stupidly made it available "free ship to home."  That option is now gone...but they were out of stock everywhere in the Orlando area.  Right now the only store with 20 in stock is on Colonial Drive, every other store is out of stock.

[Scott W 550]

My local Ace Hardware always seems to have it when I need it, though not as course as I'd like.

[GottmitAlex 3,381]

I like to use lava sand from Acme (out of AZ) to mix the medium I employ for my palms.

 I know the company name is funny. 

Never used perlite. 

[Silas_Sancona 6,605]

Using perlite in soil mixes  ..is like driving a Pinto   ..and being rage-angry that it doesn't get the mileage of a Tesla..   ~ shrugs shoulders / face palm combo ~

[Xenon 2,106]

Expanded shale is readily available around here 

[Jimhardy 508]

Plenty available on E-bay

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/324498245977?hash=item4b8d9a4959:g:tEQAAOSwge9gN3ax