Make clay grow media myself?

[bcotton]

Fair warning. While expanded shale is advertised as inert, i have not found inert expanded shale in texas.. i dont know if it's just hauled in the same trucks as limestone or what, but 3 loads now and it buffers to about 7.6-7.8. Maybe its just not really inert?


7.6 a little high for plants but i havent seen any issues that i would contribute to nute locking/high ph, if anything it's made it easier becuse i check ph a lot less frequently and i dont have to add anything to bring PH up after nitrification.

expanded shale cost compared to the hydroponic supplies is unbeatable.

In all likelihood, river rock around here have the same PH related issues only heavier and less porous.



brian