Growstones
Growstones are a substrate for growing plants that can be used for soilless purposes or as a soil conditioner. This substrate is made from recycled glass. It has both more air and water retention space than perlite and peat. Another property of this medium is that it holds more water than parboiled rice hulls.[1][2] Growstones appear to be a comparable alternative to expanded clay aggregate.
Growstones are made in a variety of sizes from a large 1 to 2 inch sized "Lift" product made to supplement drainage in potted plants while retaining superior moisture and nutrients for the plant roots, to "Gnat Nix" which is a small "5MM" size product to prevent fungus gnats from thriving in potted plants. Growstone company also produces several blended sizes of their products for specific growers' needs including sizes appropriate for "green roof" gardening. The company the manufactures them, Growstone, is currently building a factory in Las Vegas, Nevada. Growstones are made by crushing glass to particulate sizes smaller than flour, mixing it with a confidential foaming material, running it through a kiln, and crushing the resultant substance into desired sizes. The company factory and warehouse are located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the company headquarters are located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
References
- ^ (2011). "Growstones ideal alternative to perlite, parboiled rice hulls". American Society for Horticultural Science http://esciencenews.com/articles/2011/12/14/growstones.ideal.alternative.perlite.parboiled.rice.hulls
- ^ Evans, Michael (February 2011). "Physical Properties of and Plant Growth in Peat-based Root Substrates Containing Glass-based Aggregate, Perlite, and Parboiled Fresh Rice Hulls". HortTechnology. 21 (1): 30–34.
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