Sources for pumice in Europe?

Hi,

I have quite a few trees waiting for collection next Spring.
All pines.
So, I really would need to find a good source for pumice.
I'll need at least a palletfull, so a source that does wholesale would be especially good.
Considerng the shipping, Italy, Germany and Holland would be handy, but any would do.

So, if any of you know a good source, please let me know.

Kind regards,
M

Why do you feel you must have pumice? It is plentiful in the US, but I think northern Europe is short of volcanoes. I have seen Styrofoam beads used as a soil additive in Europe, where we would use Perlite (a form of pumice). Do you have access to diatomite? It is very similar to chunks of pumice (Sponge-Rok).
Good luck in your search.
Iris

Hi Iris,
I'll be collecting P.sylvestris.
It seems that no other substrate encourages root growth for this species like pumice.
Some of the trees to be collected are very old, so I'm not willing to take any chances.
I'm sure some of the materials that are easy to find here would do the trick, but pumice should give a nice
kickstart for these trees.

I'm currently using a mix of moler, pinebark, gravel and needle compost for my pines.
It works, but I do not think it is optimal.
Italians and Germans swear by pumice what it comes to pines.
Seeing their results, who am I to argue with that.

I use pomice from Italian manufacturer EUROPOMICE.
I belive they export all over Europe.

THANK YOU MARIJA!!!
Do you mind me asking which sizes you use?

I'll have to remember that. How do you keep the pumice from floating away?
Iris

In my experience it does not float as perlite does.
I buy pumice mined and exported from Greece (http://www.lava.gr/en/)

ShohinDude wrote:THANK YOU MARIJA!!!
Do you mind me asking which sizes you use?

3-8mm

Even for your smaller trees??

ShohinDude wrote:Even for your smaller trees??

I don't have smaller trees, almost all trees in my collection (cca. 90 trees) are from 50cm and higher.

For substrate I use baked loam or pomice.

stavros wrote:In my experience it does not float as perlite does.
I buy pumice mined and exported from Greece (http://www.lava.gr/en/)

I think I got it. Perlite, which is a trade name, is fired, like Turface & kitty litter. The pumice expands and is full of air spaces. It is a wonderful additive to lighten and improve drainage in potting soil. Few Americans use it for bonsai, as the top layer floats when you water it. Apparently your pumice is much heavier and more suited to bonsai. Live & learn.
As the moderators keep telling people, if you want to mix your own bonsai soil, find out what local growers use & look for local products suited to your climate & growing conditions.
Iris

Wolfgang Putz uses it: http://www.yamadori-bonsai.info/index.html
One of the old guard vintage posters. (like me)

Marija Hajdic wrote:
I don't have smaller trees, almost all trees in my collection (cca. 90 trees) are from 50cm and higher.
For substrate I use baked loam or pomice.

I see. Well, I think I could get enough smaller granules from this size by sieving to cover my need for Shohin trees.
For Shohin I'll be adding at least 30% moler and some pine bark anyway.

You have been most helpful. Thank you very much!

Iris,

What I have read and been told is that pumice and obsidian are nearly the same thing. If it is a fluid stream that cools you get obsidian, if you have it splashing and frothy and it cools, you get pumice. I remember in some science class a piece of pumice was put into a furnace and the end result was a blob of volcanic glass. You can find very lightweight pumice that does float as well as heavier material which sinks, About 80 miles north of me there is a pumice mining operation which seems to sell primarily to concrete manufacturers who use it to make lighter weight concrete blocks and the like.

I feel very lucky being able to dig and sift my own red or black volcanic cinder, as well as pumice.