Report and Analysis

Soil Conditioner
Because of its highly porous nature, pumice holds water and air-both critical to well conditioned, aerated soils. This makes Hess Pumice an excellent soil conditioner for use in potting media and garden soils-and even for critical and hard-used turf applications such as golf greens and sports fields. Because pumice is non-organic, it will not decompose or burn. Pumice is also pH neutral.

When it comes to growing vibrant plants, it’s all about the quality of the soil. The root systems of plants require a continual supply of oxygen, and the carbon dioxide respirated by the roots must be able to leave the root zone. This critical exchange of gases is key to a good growing medium. Other critical factors include the water retention ability of soil and the available nutrients in the soil necessary for plant growth. Adding pumice to garden soils and growing mediums can help meet all of those key requirements.
Pumice as a Soil Conditioner
Pumice is an excellent soil conditioner, as it is highly porous (see magnified image, left), giving it excellent water and air holding properties. Advantages of using pumice in potting media and garden soils include: Increases bulk density of potting mixes. The porous nature of pumice allows it to hold vital nutrients in the microscopic surface pores, which helps regulate fertilizer feedings. It can even be supercharged with nutrients before it is added to growing medium. Excellent conditioner for soils that need increased aeration and drainage, as when growing cacti, bromeliads, succulents, or when rooting cuttings. Loosens the destiny of heavy clay garden soils, letting in the air and water plants need . Increases water retention in light and sandy soils. Makes tillage easier. Reduce crusting, cracking, flooding and shrink-swelling. Hold moisture in the soil, reducing watering requirements by as much as 35%,but pumice will not compact or become soggy. Pumice is inorganic, so it will not decompose or compact over time, meaning it functions continuously and can be recycled and reused. Does not attract or host fungi, nematodes, or insects. Pumice is pH neutral. These advantages can be realized with as little as a 10% addition of pumice to the soil or growing medium.
Other Uses in Horticulture
Packing medium :for storing tubers, roots and bulbs Lawn and Turf management: Used both in preparing a quality seed bed for turf areas as well as a top dressing after aerification on heavily-trafficked lawns or greens to restore or maintain proper soil structure. Mulches: Coarse-grind pumice makes excellent and attractive mulch for flower and shubbery beds. The soil beneath the mulch stays moist longer and is less likely to compact from watering. Weed problems are minimized with a couple of inches of pumice mulch. It does not break down, so does not need to be replaces our white pumice can also be color-dyed if necessary. Lightweight pumice is ideal for hydroponics, cutting propagation and other specialty growing applications.


Tridents Pride: Effect on growth of Peppers and New Guinea Impatiens Dr. Seetha R Medabalimi Objective: To determine the effect of Trident's Pride Carbo and the combination of both on the growth of Peppers and New Guinea Impatiens Experimental Design: Pepper seedlings were transplanted to 606 plug trays in commercial growing medium on April 16. Commercially acceptable growing practices were used in the management of temperature, irrigation and fertilization. Peppers were treated with three soil applications and five folios applications. New Guinea impatiens were treated with two foliar treatments. Treatments were given on May 3rd and then on growth due to treatments was monitored compared to the untreated control plants. Observations were recorded on May 12th. Results and Conclusions: Peppers: Soil applications: Trident's Pride increased the plant growth when applied alone over the Trident's Pride + Carbo combination. The plants treated with Trident's Pride alone were taller with wider leaves and with more pronounced reproductive growth. Regarding the Trident's Pride + Carbo combinations, the formulation with lower Carbo performed better than formulation with higher levels of Carbo. These observations showed that at the present dose of Trident's Pride, additional Carbo might not be beneficial to the plant. Further studies are required to determine whether lower levels of Trident's Pride in the Trident's Pride + Carbo combination perform better than the current dose of Trident's Pride alone. Foliar applications: Nutrient control with ammonium sulfate and iron showed a little wider leaves compared to the untreated control. There is no growth difference between nutrient control and untreated control. Foliar application of Trident's Pride under tow light conditions did not show any growth increase. We do not know how the effect will be under normal light conditions. Trident's Pride + Carbo combination and Carbo alone performed similar and increased the plant growth compared to the controls. Trident's Pride I- Carbo combination under low light conditions increased the growth similar to the Carbo and Trident's Pride + Carbo combination but has more wider leaves. Low light conditions might have mantled in the wider leaves. The growth increase in these three treatments is equal to the growth increase observed in soil application of Trident's Pride. Foliar application on New Guinea Impatiens: Foliar applications of Trident's Pride + Carbo combination and Carbo alone increased the growth of New Guinea impatiens compared to the untreated control Treated plants were more full compared to untreated controls. Further studies can be conducted to find out the effect of foliar application of trident's Pride under normal light conditions and to explore the possibility of achieving better growth with lower doses of Carbo in Trident's Pride + Carbo combinations.