Rice Hulls?

[karpes]

Have any of you tried rice hulls in your container mix? I have an unlimited supply of the hulls but have been hesitant to use it.
Karpes

[dice]

This page has a thorough summary of what to expect from
rice hulls in a container mix and recommended proportions:

http://www.uark.edu/~mrevans/4703/le...7/unit_07.html

They have a carbon-nitrogen ratio of about 120, so there would
possibly be some nitrogen drawdown if using exclusively or
mostly uncomposted rice hulls. At the proportions recommended in the documented above, the authors do not expect that to be
a problem. It is basically used to improve drainage and large
pore air space in a container mix, kind of like perlite. Might be
worth mixing some in if reusing a container mix, to restore pore
space that has been lost as bacteria and fungi digest organic
components in the original container mix.

pH does not seem to be an issue with rice hulls as a container
mix component.

[karpes]

Thanks Dice I think that I will experiment with it. Maybe use it at 15 to 20% of the total volume Karpes

[dice]

Thanks Dice I think that I will experiment with it.
Maybe use it at 15 to 20% of the total volume.

No problem. Looks like a handy thing to have, cheaper than
perlite and lighter than coarse sand. You might put it in a
container that will drain and leave it out in the rain for a
few days first, to give it a good rinse, just in case.