Do East Coast US folks need a source of pumice?

[Veebs]

I’m considering importing a massive amount of pumice to the East Coast, like up to 100 yards a year, to provide a resource for all of us that can’t get it around here at a good price. But before I commit to it, I need to gauge the level of interest.

 

[Bob Vance]

I need a good bit personally down n new orleans.

 

[BigAbs321]

Would be super helpful!!

 

[stubmle]

I’m considering importing a massive amount of pumice to the East Coast, like up to 100 yards a year, to provide a resource for all of us that can’t get it around here at a good price. But before I commit to it, I need to gauge the level of interest.

Interested, sure, but where are you located?

 

[Paradox]

Also interested but also need to know where you are located to determine if feasible

 

[Veebs]

Interested, sure, but where are you located?

Wilmington, NC

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Yes I buy about a yard a year. Charlotte, NC.

Interestingly there IS a source on the East Coast for the nicest pumice you could ever imagine. A company named Earthcore imports shiploads of it (no exaggeration) from Iceland to Virginia to use in construction of their Isokern brand fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, etc. I spoke with the company about bulk purchases and they said they already sold pumice for horticultural use - and pointed me towards some 1 quart retail bags that cost $$$. I explained that I wanted to purchase bulk - and I never heard back from them again, despite several attempts.

 

[penumbra]

I’m considering importing a massive amount of pumice to the East Coast, like up to 100 yards a year, to provide a resource for all of us that can’t get it around here at a good price. But before I commit to it, I need to gauge the level of interest.

Are you speaking of bulk or bagged product?

 

[harshadg]

Yes more details would be good.

1. What price?
2. When would it be available?
3. Mail or pickup?
4. Particle size?
5. Sifted or not?
6. What is the minimum retail order?

 

[Orion_metalhead]

Yes I buy about a yard a year. Charlotte, NC.

Interestingly there IS a source on the East Coast for the nicest pumice you could ever imagine. A company named Earthcore imports shiploads of it (no exaggeration) from Iceland to Virginia to use in construction of their Isokern brand fireplaces, outdoor kitchens, pizza ovens, etc. I spoke with the company about bulk purchases and they said they already sold pumice for horticultural use - and pointed me towards some 1 quart retail bags that cost $$$. I explained that I wanted to purchase bulk - and I never heard back from them again, despite several attempts.

Interesting.

 

[Veebs]

Are you speaking of bulk or bagged product?

Do you have a preference? It’s part of the equation… I’m reaching out to folks at the port tomorrow because they have bagging services. I need to get an idea of what that would cost.

 

[Veebs]

Yes more details would be good.

1. What price?
2. When would it be available?
3. Mail or pickup?
4. Particle size?
5. Sifted or not?
6. What is the minimum retail order?

The first answer to almost everything you asked is I need to know what YOU need, and I work backward from there.

I don’t have all the pieces in place yet. There’s an easy way and there’s a hard way. The easy way is buying in bulk from build-a-soil and parting out from there. It’s a pretty low-risk method but the pricing isn’t amazing.

For example, there’s a guy on Etsy in Pennsylvania selling 14 quarts of pumice for $30, but he’s also offering free shipping, and I don’t see how he’s shipping for under $20, so he’s gotta be somewhere around $10 gross after shipping. If he’s going the build-a-soil route, he’s only making $1-2 profit on each sale. So he’s gotta have some incredible pricing, either in bulk, or in shipping.

The hard way is ordering straight from the quarries. On the plus side, I live in a city that’s a major railway hub because it is a major port too. I don’t yet have estimates on shipping by rail, and I don’t have quotes from quarries yet either.

Then there’s the unknowns about warehousing and bagging. The port provides both, so I’m contacting them Monday to inquire.

Sifting is going to be tough. The port says they have “processing” services for aggregates but I don’t know if that will include sifting. I’m going to guess not. And sifting by hand in bulk will be a pain, unless I have some heavy duty equipment, which I won’t have upfront.

So I’m guessing it’ll not be sifted further than the size I order from the quarry. If that’s a deal breaker, then I will need to take that into account and work out a solution.

On particle size, I’m thinking 1/4-3/8.

I don’t know a minimum order yet, and I’d expect to offer a shipping option. I also don’t know anything on when it would be available yet, but I would think it would need to be before spring.

You didn’t ask about bagged or not, but others did. If I do bagged, it would be helpful to know a size. I’m thinking that no one needs a small amount of pumice so 50-lb/50-qt maybe. Obviously that influences the shipping if not pickup.

So, to recap, I have mostly unknowns right now, but a lot of what you asked about I need to know your needs. I’d also like to get an idea of the sort of volume you’d expect to need a year.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

You can buy 50qts 1/4" or 3/8" from amazon for $70 so as long as your pricing with shipping is competitive, Id be interested.

 

[RJG2]

Personally, I'd be far more interested in 1/8-1/4.

I can get build-a-soil 1/4-3/8 at any local marijuana grow shop.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Just for comparison my local 5th Season Gardening has it in 1 cu ft bags sifted to .25-.375” for $25

 

[Bonsai Nut]

For math fun... $25 per cubic foot = $675 per cubic yard.

Prices of cubic yard of pumice on west coast = $70 (portland sand and gravel) - $199 (Build-a-soil). Lots of screened pumice suppliers in the $150 range (per yard). Time for someone to rent a truck!

 

[canoeguide]

I don't have a lot to add... but I will say that of the various components that I and others use for soil, pumice is easily the most in demand. Things that you likely know. Personally, I could use about 15 gallons in a year. 1/4"

Edit to add, that I've bought the 50qt 1/4" pumice from someone on Amazon for $70 + free shipping at least 5 times.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

For math fun... $25 per cubic foot = $675 per cubic yard.

Prices of cubic yard of pumice on west coast = $70 (portland sand and gravel) - $199 (Build-a-soil). Lots of screened pumice suppliers in the $150 range (per yard). Time for someone to rent a truck!

Yes, it is definitely cheaper in bulk!