Why not add vermeculite to the drainage mix? It has a pretty high CEC.
Vermiculite is to hold water. Not for drainage. Haven't really seen its ideal usage in a potting mix. Really just mushroom cultivation.
I find it to be useless bulk in soil mixes.. But very good in hydro set-ups. Just my opinion, tho! I don't think it's too porous, just the outside surface might have some nice texture to hold some nutes and water and maybe even soil life. But to me it's not worth adding it overall.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expanded_clay_aggregate said:LECA has uses in agriculture and landscapes. It can alter soil mechanics. It is used as a growing medium in hydroponics systems since blended with other growing mediums such as soil and peat, it can improve drainage, retain water during periods of drought, insulate roots during frost, and provide roots with increased oxygen levels promoting very vigorous growth. LECA can be mixed with heavy soil to improve its aeration and drainage.
Nice to know! I feel like less perlite or pumice could be used for same effects, with less bulk. But if it becomes a good part of the growmedia, yeah I agree it's great for hydro. Just not see it used as I use perlite, at 5-15% for drainage and aeration. But good to learn there is some permeability and water exchange there..
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In addition to rice husks, I've been seeing more use of peanut husks as well. Some are amending whole, some crushed or grated. Clean, of course, with no salts present.To me, perlite is more about drainage then airation. If your number one goal is not having to buy it.. Rice hulls are a replacement if they are available in your area. They grow rice here and they leave the hulls out for people to take at no cost. But that could be unique to my area. They pretty much behave similar to perlite. Over time they break down and become part of your fluff. I like to Use lava rock, but you would have to buy it from a landscaping company. 50$ a yard.
I like the suggestion of using crushed brick. May behave similar to lava.
I think a good soil texture is equal parts compost, drainage, and fluff. Perlite, lava rock, and rice hulls are drainage. The fluff would be something like peat, coco, or fir bark. You have to have the fluff to keep your soil from compacting and staying airated.
You could get pine bark fines for free If you figure out how to source It. Use it as your "fluff". Landscaping/soil Companies get It from saw mills and sell It to consumers in soil mixes.
I rinse out pistachio shells and use thoseHi guys,
I'm looking for alternatives to Perlite for soil aeration and to give better structure to the soil. Preferable something I can find around the house/garden or in nature.
The rule for me is that it needs to be something I don't have to go buy (or trade).
The reason is that this year I want to try to grow without having to buy anything from the gardenstore.
I'm currently busy with starting up my wormbin and what I read online and also the guys here on ICMag seem to say. Is that it might maybe be possible to grow in pure Vermicompost. But that soil compactation/aeration might be an issue.
(Check the thread here: https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=359129)
I think I have read somewhere that some guys were using small river pebbles. And I have once seen a picture of some commercial organic soil that looks like they added small pieces of broken up red clay construction bricks.
So anybody any idea what I might can use?
(Rice/grain hulls aren't sold/traded in my country.)
Thanks for sharing.
Nam Myoho Renge Kyo
Update:
Below is a list of suggestions from this thread.