possibe to use fine river sand as gravel?l

[carlfsk]

Hi all, izit possible to use fine river sand as gravel for planting?

[Simon]

carl,

I only have success with small plants like glosso, hairgrass. Not recommended for larger plants

[carlfsk]

Hi maybe can have 3 layer. Base fert, follow by corse gravel, then by river sand. What you think?

[Simon]

the course gravel will sink.. i previously had some bigger gravel sprinkled above, but after a while, it seems like them simply sink into the fine sand

[tawauboy]

it is said that if you use fine sand/gravel, roots can get crushed. don't know how true this is.
anyway, mulm will be visible on top of the sand after a while. if you are using coarser gravel, mulm will usually be out of view, in the gaps between gravel.

[carlfsk]

Guys, I just find out that sand is not suitable as they are not porous enough to 'hold-on' to nutrients for the plants. Corse gravel will be a better alternative...

[juggler]

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On 6/17/2003 12:10:48 PM

the course gravel will sink.. i previously had some bigger gravel sprinkled above, but after a while, it seems like them simply sink into the fine sand
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I thought that the finer sand will sink while the coarse ones will surface to the top. Just like you shake some flour in a container, the lumpy ones will surface. Or the same reason that corals/seashells are exposed above fine sand on the seashore.

[hwchoy]

fine sand prevents circulation in the substrate and is not healthy for plants.