Looking for source for bulk (Truck loads) rice hulls in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas.

Is that good stuff

Griffin Nursery sells it bagged. The link below sells it in super sacks I think. How are you planning on using it? There are companies that use it as a component of potting soil.

http://www.riceland.com/pages/rice-hull-products/rice-hull-products-distributors/

google rice mills they should sell whole sale

Thx for the link.

I want to test it as a replacement for perlite.  I don't know cost, availability, performance, etc.  preliminary research.

Your welcome also feed stores sell it in 50lb bags if you don't need a lot and you may want pecan shell if you can get them in TX

This has been discussed.

http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/rice-hulls-as-alternative-to-perlite-6224895?highlight=rice+hulls&pid=1279603807

I think the consensus was that it will work in the short term but will break down over time while perlite will not.

I was at a wholesale business that specializes in annuals last week. They have 22 acres of production under greenhouses. That's shoulder to shoulder greenhouses for 22 acres!!! They make their own potting soil with peat moss and perlite. There are some differences in the grade of both. (Smaller or larger particle sizes). They use super sacks of both and mix them in a large tumbler.

How much production are you planning?

Last year I added rice hulls to some of my pots. Still used perlite as well. I figure about 15 percent each. I also used it in some raised beds. The hulls in the beds seemed to break down a bit. I also tried some in young plants. I seemed to get a little nitrogen defiences. The young plants with just perlite were fine. So I do think the hulls Rob a bit of nitrogen. I think I recall reading on another forum others experienced this too. The hulls worked really well at top dressing seed starts and young plants. The fungas gnats seemed to go away after I covered everything.

Once the rice hulls breakdown, you have a nice source of silica.

I think pumice is the best.

I have been experimenting with pumice, rice hulls, bark, perlite and lava rock. Each has there own unique characteristics.

I like to place lava rock on bottoms of pots. Then bark, followed by my secrete potting mix.

Hey, there's no secrets among friends ;-)

I probably did not state my question clearly enough in my original post.  I have identified 83 rice mills in the Texas/Arkansas/Louisiana area and I am looking for any first hand information on a rice mill that will sell rice hulls in bulk, with bulk being defined as truckloads.  I do not have a problem identifying sources, I need information to sort the sources.  I am conducting a research project on the viability of using rice hulls in the propagation and growth of several species/cultivars of flowering trees, fig trees, and tropical ornamentals.  There are certain characteristics of rice hulls that are desirable with or without perlite being in the mix.

I usually use a model that has 50 units of each target plant for each species/cultivar.

Thanks for the input but I am not sure what a 22 acre greenhouse operation using perlite, in some other area, has to do with what I am doing.  My model is totally different.

I have done my homework on what others have experienced in the use of rice hulls in the propagation of fig trees, which has gotten me to this step in my process.  Search function here is great.

My initial requirements are for a much smaller amount than a full truckload but I need truckload pricing to complete my research.

So, with all that said, If you have any first hand experience with a rice mill in the Texas/Arkansas/Louisiana area please let me know about your experience.

Sorry I was not more clear in my original post.

I think most of the rice hulls in this area are contracted to companies making potting soil and a lot are hauled to Agrilectric
in Lake Charles. La to be burned to make electricity.

The greenhouse example was to try to dissuade you from biting off more than you can chew without researching it fully. For that size business to not use it at all would make me think twice if it was a good idea at all. I have seen it used in potted shrub production, so there are some people who use it. Just be careful is all I meant. (BTW As a landscaper, I deal with wholesale plant nurseries and growers all the time. I pay close attention to what they use as a potting mix)

I know of a place between mcrory and Jonesboro AR called Rice land. I know they sell bulk bags of rice hulls.

http://www.riceland.com/pages/rice-hull-products/