Do East Coast US folks need a source of pumice?

Veebs said:
Crap I hit send too soon…

What would you be willing to pay for a 50-lb bag of 1/8-1/4, assuming shipping is roughly $30.

And would you be willing to preorder?
Click to expand...
What is that in volume? i.e. 5 gallons?

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on 2 cubic yards of 3/8" - 1/4" for almost exactly $1000. 1600 lbs, so $0.62/lb delivered to my door. For a 50 lb bag that would be $31 per bag.
 
Bonsai Nut said:
What is that in volume? i.e. 5 gallons?

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on 2 cubic yards of 3/8" - 1/4" for almost exactly $1000. 1600 lbs, so $0.62/lb delivered to my door. For a 50 lb bag that would be $31 per bag.
Click to expand...
15 gallons, but I’m also looking at a 30-lb bag option which is like 9 gallons, and it would be finer than 1/4-3/8. Is yours going to be in super sacks or bagged?
 
Id be open to something in the $30-$50 range before shipping depending on the quality, consistency, and size of the particle. Id rather order from you than amazon.
 
I need pumice that matches medium size akadama so if you get that then maybe

Everyone seems to use small so all the pumice I find is that size too

Same with lava rock

Really prefer larger size, my pumice / lava is always too small for my akadama
 
badatusernames said:
I need pumice that matches medium size akadama so if you get that then maybe

Everyone seems to use small so all the pumice I find is that size too

Same with lava rock

Really prefer larger size, my pumice / lava is always too small for my akadama
Click to expand...
You don't like the 1/16-1/8 size, or is it the 1/8-1/4 size you don't like?
 
I'd be interested in the 1/8-1/4.

I can easily get 1/4-3/8 for cheap here.
 
I’d take some, though my bucket isn’t running on empty, and I don’t use much a year. Having some extra would be good so I could skip turface or expanded shale in my grow out colanders pond baskets and Anderson flats.
I am over due for a trip to Wilmington.. I hear the surf is better than in Myrtle Bay.
 
$50 pre-shipping for 15 gallons isn't too bad, but like @Orion_metalhead said it depends on color, quality, etc. What is the color like? Is this from a US source or overseas?
I'm working on a spreadsheet to compare pumice from different suppliers in terms of $/Liter. Still work in progress, but here's an preview. Note that I used my location as the shipping address for variable & freight rates, this may differ substantially from what it would cost for others.
The column of interest is Adjusted Price / Liter (Incl. Shipping) unless you are picking it up from the seller directly. In this case, look to Price per Liter.

Edit: Table isn't formatting correctly- it looks fine until I go to Preview or Post, then it drops formatting. Might have to do this as a screenshot.
@Bonsai Nut Sorry to bother, but is this a known issue?

Edit 2: Here it is, not exhaustive by any means, just some common sources. I'll add more as I come across them. Click to enlarge.
1761153621827.png
 
Last edited:
Bonsai Nut said:
What is that in volume? i.e. 5 gallons?

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on 2 cubic yards of 3/8" - 1/4" for almost exactly $1000. 1600 lbs, so $0.62/lb delivered to my door. For a 50 lb bag that would be $31 per bag.
Click to expand...
in case anyone else wondered, that is like 2.50 / gallon. Not uncommon for it to be > $10/gallon everywhere else, but you need to like a big pile!
also seems about 1 lbs/ quart is lighter than most, may be more porous grey.
 
stubmle said:
$50 pre-shipping for 15 gallons isn't too bad, but like @Orion_metalhead said it depends on color, quality, etc. What is the color like? Is this from a US source or overseas?
I'm working on a spreadsheet to compare pumice from different suppliers in terms of $/Liter. Still work in progress, but here's an preview. Note that I used my location as the shipping address for variable & freight rates, this may differ substantially from what it would cost for others.
The column of interest is Adjusted Price / Liter (Incl. Shipping) unless you are picking it up from the seller directly. In this case, look to Price per Liter.

Edit: Table isn't formatting correctly- it looks fine until I go to Preview or Post, then it drops formatting. Might have to do this as a screenshot.
@Bonsai Nut Sorry to bother, but is this a known issue?

Edit 2: Here it is, not exhaustive by any means, just some common sources. I'll add more as I come across them. Click to enlarge.
View attachment 618139
Click to expand...
When you say things like “depends on color” it sounds like you have a preference. What do you consider the right color to be?

And how do you evaluate quality? I’ve found pumice that their TDS says is everything from 25-50 lbs per cubic foot so that’s a substantial density difference, and likely a big difference in break down rate, if at all.

I want to choose the best product but apart from the feedback I’ve seen on price, it’s hard to determine what people are assessing as “good”
 
Just some info to contribute: Up here, the local clubs are able to buy soil components at wholesale prices from New England Bonsai Gardens. I think we paid around $20 per 18 L bag, no shipping cost since we pick up from the nursery.
 
Veebs said:
When you say things like “depends on color” it sounds like you have a preference. What do you consider the right color to be?

And how do you evaluate quality? I’ve found pumice that their TDS says is everything from 25-50 lbs per cubic foot so that’s a substantial density difference, and likely a big difference in break down rate, if at all.

I want to choose the best product but apart from the feedback I’ve seen on price, it’s hard to determine what people are assessing as “good”
Click to expand...
Color is pretty straightforward, I think. Seems like most commercially mined US pumice has a bright white color, whereas most Japanese pumice is more tan or off-white. Personally, I prefer the appearance of the latter- the bright white stuff stands out visually too much, in my opinion.
I recall reading somewhere that there are US sources that are closer in color to the Japanese type, but I'm not sure which ones or where to buy it. Maybe it was just people privately collecting in the Oregon/Washington?

I'll admit "quality" is a pretty vague term that can encompass multiple different attributes. I guess the following would all play into overall quality:
  • Consistent particle shape
    • Rounded vs jagged
  • Density
    • Not sure if more or less is better. Build-a-Soil mentions that theirs is an even mix of "sinkers" and "floaters," which they imply is desirable. Maybe less of a concern in our application, compared to the weed growers they target.
  • Mineral content
    • Free of harmful materials, like salt or metal contaminants
  •  Hardness
    • Resistance to breaking down or being crushed
  • Preparation
    • Washing, sifting, etc.
There are probably other considerations that impact overall quality, these are just ones off the top of my head.

Vincent Tanner said:
Just some info to contribute: Up here, the local clubs are able to buy soil components at wholesale prices from New England Bonsai Gardens. I think we paid around $20 per 18 L bag, no shipping cost since we pick up from the nursery.
Click to expand...
Excellent point! I've taken advantage of that myself in the past, and it's definitely the cheapest option available up here (about $1.11 per Liter, only the cubic yards that Build-a-Soil sells can beat that price), plus it's the fancy imported stuff. It's only once or twice a year, though, so it's easy to over- or under-buy if you don't have a good idea of your yearly consumption beforehand. Still my preferred option, though.
 
stubmle said:
Color is pretty straightforward, I think. Seems like most commercially mined US pumice has a bright white color, whereas most Japanese pumice is more tan or off-white. Personally, I prefer the appearance of the latter- the bright white stuff stands out visually too much, in my opinion.
I recall reading somewhere that there are US sources that are closer in color to the Japanese type, but I'm not sure which ones or where to buy it. Maybe it was just people privately collecting in the Oregon/Washington?

I'll admit "quality" is a pretty vague term that can encompass multiple different attributes. I guess the following would all play into overall quality:
  • Consistent particle shape
    • Rounded vs jagged
  • Density
    • Not sure if more or less is better. Build-a-Soil mentions that theirs is an even mix of "sinkers" and "floaters," which they imply is desirable. Maybe less of a concern in our application, compared to the weed growers they target.
  • Mineral content
    • Free of harmful materials, like salt or metal contaminants
  •  Hardness
    • Resistance to breaking down or being crushed
  • Preparation
    • Washing, sifting, etc.
There are probably other considerations that impact overall quality, these are just ones off the top of my head.


Excellent point! I've taken advantage of that myself in the past, and it's definitely the cheapest option available up here (about $1.11 per Liter, only the cubic yards that Build-a-Soil sells can beat that price), plus it's the fancy imported stuff. It's only once or twice a year, though, so it's easy to over- or under-buy if you don't have a good idea of your yearly consumption beforehand. Still my preferred option, though.
Click to expand...
thanks for the feedback, much appreciated
 
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