Question regarding pumice

[joelham]

Hi guys,
i Have noticed the use of pumice in bonsai mix, and have also noticed loads of the stuff all over the beaches around the are.
What are your thoughts on collecting pumice of the beach for bonsai use.
The first thing that popped into my head was salt deposits, but surely that can be remedied.
Any insight would be much appreciate.
thanks
joel

[kcpoole]

You would have to collect it, then crush and grade it to size.
Wash and soak ( for how long) to get rid of salt

how much can you get from the beach?
will that be worth it?
Ken

[joelham]

Thanks for the reply ken.
I could collect a fair bit, how I'd crush it effectively I dont know.
What do you think the ideal size would be? All my plants are in pretty early stages, thought it might be good just to open up my mix a bit.

[lackhand]

The salt would keep me from doing this. I would be paranoid about killing trees because I hadn't removed all the salt, and for me that's a risk I wouldn't be willing to take. I suppose you could trial some methods of washing and use the pumice on plants you don't care about, but I would want at least a year or two of consistent success before adding it to the mix of a nicer tree.

[Rory]

Seriously. I wouldn't bother. Salt is not your friend as Lackland says, and its just not worth it. Spend your time swimming at the beach instead.