The outer shell of rice grains, used as a lightweight, biodegradable aeration amendment in growing substrates. They function similarly to perlite by improving drainage and oxygen availability in the root zone.
After discovering perlite is both rare and expensive in Colombia, Dakota sourced sanitized rice hulls from a local garden center for approximately $15 per bale. AutoPot recommended adding 30% aeration amendment; rice hulls were used as the practical local substitute. Dakota mixed them at approximately 30% into the coco for the re-transplant.
Discussed in: Ep 001