Pumice from source to source varies as much as jambalaya from cook to cook. With pumice, normalcy depends on what you're using as a basis for comparison. Compared to the in situ source, it's normal. Compared to other in situ sources, it might be similar but highly doubtful that 'same' would be an appropriate descriptor. I'd bet there could be notable differences, physical and chemical, between pumice ejected early in a volcanic eruption compared to pumice ejected late in the same eruption.

Al

That makes perfect sense thanks. Really just wanted to make sure this stuff will provide the same drainage qualities. It seems like it should.

all things that provide drainage.. can vary in size ...

e.g. ... wood chips.. bark fines... shredded bark.. etc ... its basically all the same thing.. but for particle size ... and each size has a specific use ...

btw.. most of us prefer the pix in the post.. rather than having to hit links ...

usually.. the finer the product.. the more handling or processing required.. and ergo.. the higher the cost ...

ken

Thanks! And yeah sorry I didn't realize I had the ability to upload photos directly till it was too late!

Next time you buy Pumice, please buy it from GeneralPumiceProducts.com Theirs is the most beautiful, clean, and even sized Pumice I've seen

This might prove to be a better representation of what GPP offers for hort. applications: https://www.generalpumice.com/shop

American bonsai also sells a very clean and well-screened product:

https://www.americanbonsai.com/searchresults.asp?Search=pumice&Submit=

For use as or in media, 1/8-1/4 would be best if you can find it. An alternate would be 1/8-3/8, but that would be quite coarse.

Al

Thanks. I'm not super picky, just wanted to make sure what I bought was legit. I bought enough to last me a while.

@Nate Packer That is definitely pumice in your photo, but the problem is the sizing looks wrong. There are way too many fines in that mix. You will need to invest in getting some good sieves to filter it out.

I have been buying pumice from several sources, and I actually pay someone to sit around and wash and filter my pumice many bags at a time, so I can have a good supply around for containers large or small. What I have discovered is that I pay more for the labor than I do for the pumice!! I am seriously considering buying pre-filtered and washed pumice a ton at a time and trying to sell off to other succulent/cactus enthusiasts to pay my costs.

As others have stated, General Pumice does an excellent job of filtering and their pumice is clean. Their product is expensive, but factor in your time to filter and wash.

Well I'm not a pro gardener, just wanted to mix some soil for some of my house plants. I guess it'll have to do. Although maybe thay has something to do with why kh first batch of soil doesn't seem to drain very well lol.

@Nate Packer I have purchased bags of pumice that have so many fines in them they become a muddy slurry when water is added. You might as well plant the roots in mud.

For someone like yourself, just find an eBay, Etsy, or Amazon seller of pre-mixed gritty mix and buy it that way. You will get a better result and not have to waste time asking questions about why your mix had issues.