Ryolite as potting medium

[golgotha]

We have just started using a new raw mats supplier at work who is delivering about 120t a day of this 6mm minus ryolite. Has anyone had any experience using this as part of their mix. I jave included a pic of a handful to help judge particle shape and size. It contains a little fine dust that would easily be washed out or screened.


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[cre8ivbonsai]

Looks interesting, sounds like it could replace either crushed granite or course river sand? but might hold just slightly more water due the higher silica content?

*I have no experience with it though, and my comments are only speculation*

What use does your business sell it for?

[golgotha]

We use it as an aggregate in masonry products such as besser blocks and pavers.
Thanks for your comments, I figured it may hold water, saying that though it does pass water through the stockpile quite readily, even in an unwashed dusty state.

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[Biofusion]

Looks like it could easily be a substitute for zeolite, apparently very similar in composition to pumice, so as a drainage media I see it beig able to be used in place of diatomite or pumice, pending trials of course, but it seems interesting.

[kcpoole]

Anything I can see is that is similar to Granite and Quartz. Neither of which hold much moisture and have low cation ratios, unlike Zeolite.
Do some testing, but looks more of a replacement to decomposed granite or river sand than anything else
Cannot see any references on the web re using it as soil componenets

Ken

[Biofusion]

Yeah I think a test it needed to confirm.

[shibui]

Geologically, Rhyolite is the same composition (about 70% silica) as granite but was extrusive (the magma cooled close to or above the surface) so it has fine grains whereas granite is intrusive (cooled and solidified deep in the crust) and has relatively large grain and crystals.

Zeolite is metamorphic and forms where volcanic ash is heated by a subsequent volcanic flow at relatively low temp and pressure.

Zeolite has a rigid crystaline structure consisting of a network of interconnected tunnels so water can flow into and through it. If you have used zeolite you will know that it has low density (it feels light)
Rhyolite is solid with little or no honeycomb structure and will be quite dense (heavy)

As KC has spotted - Rhyolite would be a suitable replacement for the gravel/ sand part of a bonsai mix but won't provide much else to the plant.

[golgotha]

thanks for the feedback guys. I'll probably just grab a sack of it and keep it around. I'm sure I'll find a use for it.

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[Biofusion]

Thanks shuibi, I hadn't looked into it this far, it definitely makes a lot more sense now.

Apart from the zeolite being light part, do you mean diatomite?

I find zeolite is much heavier, much like gravel for the same volume to weight ratio, diatomite is lighter and you get less weight for the same volume.

[Graeme]

Close to the first question to pop into my head while looking at the pic. How heavy is this stuff?

I reckon it looks to be a good product to use as the aggregate component of the mix - IF it's not to heavy.

[golgotha]

It is quite dense, I'd say it would weigh as much as a handful of crushed basalt if thats any gauge.

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