Online community for ornamental horticulture
Rice Hulls VS Perlite...
Views: 1338
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Eric Rohloff on -
Michael, We went from Perlite to Mice Hulls I mean Rice Hulls then back to Perlite. We found that when using Rice Hulls fertility rates and or frequency need to be increased. The biggest turn off from Rice Hulls was the fact that we had one employee running a trap line to help get the Mice under control. We were inundated with Mice that would go into our product and pull plant material out tossing it aside to get at the Hulls down in the media. The loss of product coupled with the stress made it an easy decision to go back to Perlite. Other Rice Hull producers say we had an inferior product. We don't want to take another chance to find out.
-
Permalink Reply by snewman7118 on -
Rice hulls are a great substitute for any potting medium as long as they are properly aged or composted. They can not be used raw.
-
Permalink Reply by Bob West on -
Michael -- there have been a number of conversations on this topic on the Forum over the past year or two. Check out this URL for a link to a page featuring search results for the word "rice" on the Forum. http://freshairforum.ning.com/forum/topic/search?q=rice
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Pawelek on
-
Bob, I had gone back with the "search" function to read comments on rice hulls but was looking for any updates from members that may have joined in the last 6 months or so. I am beginning to worry about the consistancy of the coarse perlite I get in as the size in the bags is varied. Some bags contain 50% or more fine powder and this inconsistancy from order to order is causing me watering problems in my crops...
-
Permalink Reply by Bob West on
-
I understand, Michael. The best person I can recommend for you to talk with is Mark Shepherd from Riceland. Obviously, he's going to be somewhat biased in that he's selling rice hulls, but I have found Mark to be a stand-up guy who is willing to deal with issues -- I don't think he's a sales guy who will just tell you the product is perfect 100% of the time. If you want to get a hold of him, his number is 770/335-3016, and his email is mshepherd@riceland.com.
-
Permalink Reply by Hap Hollibaugh on -
We have been using composted rice hulls for over five years in our cactus soil and our more earthy-mix we use for CA natives are very happy with it. But we still add pumice and lava scoria to our mixes to add drainage for the winter rains.
-
Permalink Reply by Michael Dunlavey on -
Being I'm a Perlite expander the Rice Hull issue has been ongoing for several years now and well discussed. There is some good information on the Perlite Institute website for our view on the subject.
Here is a link to one specific article- http://www.perlite.org/perlite_info/guides/plants/RICE%20HULLS%20VS...
-
Permalink Reply by Eric Rohloff on
-
Great reference, Some may say it's findings are skude because of where it comes from, but I agree with everything in the article from my experiences and the experiences of others I know.:) We'll be arguing the same way when the next great media component comes along.
-
Permalink Reply by Mark Shepherd on -
The Perlite Institute's claims (dated April 1, 2007) by CL Bethke- do not match University research by Dr. Michael Evans -University of Arkansas. Dr. Evans does not work for the Institute, nor the manufacturers who are marketing PBH. Parboiled fresh rice hulls. The only thing agreeable in the entire Perlite Institute article, is that when you make a change to your media-no matter what that change may be- you better be willing to adjust and adapt. PBH has NEVER been marketed to replace vermiculite. PBH does a great job replacing perlite. It has been working very well for growers since 2005.And the mice situation is all about management as well. So the mice showed up when the rice hulls arrived? - rice hulls are a natural by product of grain. Accept that, and make plans if you have mice in your area. Or just stick with high priced, dusty perlite and stop bashing new sustainable ideas. We wonder why this industry gets stuck in a cycle of high price components and low margins on plant material. Be proactive, not pessimistic-some growers just aren't willing to adapt to change. Sustainable initiatives are here to stay. PBH is a proven product, call me anytime u want to discuss.
-
Permalink Reply by Roger Esbenshade on -
We have been using rice hulls for some crops for several years with the results being similar to perlite. We have been experiencing difficulty in getting good consistent perlite for several years.
-
Permalink Reply by Eric Rohloff on
-
Who's doing the bashing? I only spoke of my experiences and the experiences of other growers in are area. I never said they wouldn't work. Why do I have to adapt to change? The mice problem was way beyond anything you could imagine. So If I use rice hulls you want me to be proactive and throw mice poison everywhere? That sounds sustainable. My proactive approach is to not use them. I did try them as we are always looking for alternative media components. The rice hulls are working great for some growers. They just don't fit us. If you want to bash anybody get on the growers that are still putting foam beads in their mix.
Mark Shepherd said:So the mice showed up when the rice hulls arrived? - rice hulls are a natural by product of grain. Accept that, and make plans if you have mice in your area. Or just stick with high priced, dusty perlite and stop bashing new sustainable ideas. We wonder why this industry gets stuck in a cycle of high price components and low margins on plant material. Be proactive, not pessimistic-some growers just aren't willing to adapt to change. Sustainable initiatives are here to stay.
-
Permalink Reply by Mark Shepherd on
-
After reading your responses more than once, I had to step up and defend my product. We are supplying not only a par boiled rice hull, but a rice hull product that has a huge amount of research dollars, personal time and effort, and continued product development behind it. Riceland is committed to this product, so the horticultural industry can have a clean, safe alternative source amendment available. Mice hulls is cute, but tiring. Respect what I am trying to accomplish. There are many benefits of PBH beyond just replacing the perlite in a mix. Rice Hulls have 6-10% Silicon naturally built into the product, less storage and handling, less trucks, less cost, higher soil yield, less dust, etc. You are correct in stating that all products are not for all people and situations. I could go on- as I am passionate about PBH, and this forum is only helpful when it is used in a productive manner.
Eric Rohloff said:Who's doing the bashing? I only spoke of my experiences and the experiences of other growers in are area. I never said they wouldn't work. Why do I have to adapt to change? The mice problem was way beyond anything you could imagine. So If I use rice hulls you want me to be proactive and throw mice poison everywhere? That sounds sustainable. My proactive approach is to not use them. I did try them as we are always looking for alternative media components. The rice hulls are working great for some growers. They just don't fit us. If you want to bash anybody get on the growers that are still putting foam beads in their mix.
Mark Shepherd said:So the mice showed up when the rice hulls arrived? - rice hulls are a natural by product of grain. Accept that, and make plans if you have mice in your area. Or just stick with high priced, dusty perlite and stop bashing new sustainable ideas. We wonder why this industry gets stuck in a cycle of high price components and low margins on plant material. Be proactive, not pessimistic-some growers just aren't willing to adapt to change. Sustainable initiatives are here to stay.
© 2013 Created by Sara Tambascio.
