Pumice export quality wash and clean

available in grain size

3-6mm and 6-10mm

13liters/bag 

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Born out of lava, pumice is classified as an igneous rock. It is identifiable by its light color and numerous tiny holes or pores known as vesicles. Its light color stems from its high silica content and low iron and magnesium content (Minerals Education Coalition, n.d.). As such, pumice falls under the family of rhyolites, which are basically extrusive igneous rocks that are rich in silica content (King, n.d.). Pumice forms from lava with a high content of both water and gases which results in its characteristic of having vesicles which are actually gas bubbles in the lava before it rapidly cooled. Furthermore, it has very low specific gravity or the “ratio of the density of a substance to that of a standard substance” (The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2020), thanks to its many vesicles and thin walls between them which causes pumice to actually float in water until it becomes waterlogged and sinks.

 

Pumice is used in a variety of ways. One of these is the production of lightweight construction materials like concrete blocks. It is also mostly used in landscaping and for horticultural purposes. In this area, pumice serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. It can be used as a means to cover the ground when landscaping, as well as filling planters. It can also be used as a way to drain water and as soil conditioner (King, n.d.).

 

Mineraland’s premium grade pumice ensures the drainage and removal of excess moisture in plants with its large surface area and fine pores that also make it suitable for microbial in-habitation. It regulates the effects on soil temperature caused by changes in cold and warmth.  Aside from improving drainage, pumice also holds onto moisture at the same time and releases it at a slow and steady rate. Roots are also saved from the possibility of rotting by helping aerate the soil, keep it from getting mucky, and preventing agglomeration or the clumping together of soil. Pumice is perfect for succulents and other plants that do not thrive in wet environments or are prone to rotting. It can also be used as a topdressing in order to absorb rainwater that forms puddles around plants. To make sure that crushed glass or florist’s marbles stay true to their color, pumice can be used to top-dress pots and/or planters before adding in glass and marbles. Clean up of spilled oil, grease, and the like can be done with the help of pumice by placing a layer of rocks on the spill, then sweeping it up and disposing of it after it has completely absorbed the spill (Grant, n.d.; Baldwin, n.d.). In an article by the East Bay Bonsai Society (n.d.), adding in pumice and lava to a bonsai soil mix help keep costs down and make its overall weight lighter making transport easier. It is also hypothesized that it can prevent soil from becoming compact and keep moisture in the soil.

 

In addition to the extensive use of pumice in construction, landscaping, horticulture, and gardening, pumice is also used in personal use products and cleaning supplies. It’s used in soaps and cleaners as an abrasive and can even be used as a skin exfoliant, removing dead skin and calluses because it is naturally-occurring and non-toxic (Leone, 2017). Pumice can also be utilized in vivariums which are enclosures that houses both plants and animals. Aquariums, terrariums, paludariums, and ripariums are all types of vivariums but differ in the ecosystem they represent (“Vivarium: Everything You Need to Know,” n.d.). Pumice is great for vivariums because it does not impact water parameters. It does not affect the pH level, the scale used to determine how acidic or base a liquid is, of water. It has no effect on water hardness as well. Compared to other lava rock, pumice can allow more bacteria to live in its vesicles and its ability to hold on to air and water is beneficial for plants and animals that require more moisture. However, pumice is difficult to use when hardscaping because of its tendency to float. It would take long periods of time to get it to sink. In addition, it can leech dust and on the aesthetic side of things, its color does not contrast with dark soil well. Specifically, pumice has a density of 2.31 g/cm3, a hardness of 6, and is low in pH, KH, GH, and tannins (“Pumice Rock (Floating Stone),” n.d.).

 

Mineraland’s comes on 13 liter bags, already washed and cleaned and available in grain sizes of 3-6mm and 6-10mm. It can be laid at the bottom of pots and planters as bottom stone to prevent the loss of culture soil, promote drainage, good aeration, and immobilization of microorganisms in the soil.

 

References

Baldwin, D.L. (n.d.). Soil & Amendments for Succulents [Blog post].  https://debraleebaldwin.com/pumice/

East Bay Bonsai Society. (n.d.). What Are The Advantages Of Lava And Pumice In Bonsai Soil? Retrieved from https://www.eastbaybonsai.org/?page_id=1090

Grant, A. (n.d.). What Is Pumice Used For: Tips On Using Pumice In Soil. Retrieved from https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/using-pumice-in-soil.htm

King, H. (n.d.). Pumice. Retrieved from https://geology.com/rocks/pumice.shtml

King, H. (n.d.). Rhyolite. Retrieved from https://geology.com/rocks/rhyolite.shtml

Leone, J. (2017, April 24). What is pumice used for? Retrieved from https://sciencing.com/pumice-used-5449687.html

Minerals Education Coalition. (n.d.). Pumice. Retrieved from https://mineralseducationcoalition.org/minerals-database/pumice/#:~:text=Pumice%20is%20a%20type%20of,with%20tiny%20bubbles%20of%20gas.

Pumice Rock (Floating Stone). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://bantam.earth/pumice-rock-floating-stone/

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2020, May 13). Specific gravity. In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/science/specific-gravity

Vivarium: Everything You Need To Know. (n.d.). https://bantam.earth/vivarium/