Does any place sell bags of fine red cinder?

[MarkD]

Walmart sells bags of fine black cinder. The red cinder bags they sell have big chunks in it. Hoping to get super fine red cinder, in bags. thx.

[ElysianWort]

If you have a truck, just go to Puna Rock. Ask for finer red cinder if they have. If they don't have different types just let the loader dump into your truck and scoop from the bottom of the pile when you go home. (large chunks rise to the top)

What's your plan with the fine stuff?

[kalakoa]

I believe fine red cinder comes from Bryson's, and you fake the "bag" by filling your truck with empty buckets, possibly on a tarp so you don't have to pick cinder out of the bed forever.

For the most part, Puna doesn't come pre-packaged.

[MarkD]

>What's your plan with the fine stuff?

An ornamental garden. Bryson's closed their site right in Pahoa some time ago. Where are they now?

[ElysianWort]

>What's your plan with the fine stuff?

An ornamental garden.

Hmm that is part of the reason I asked the question.

Red cinder isn't good agriculturally.
Good for stepping on and making paths (though not as good as gravel for even that) but not good for growing plants. Black cinder is what you want for that.

I was once told it was something about the excessive iron it contains. I'm not completely sure exactly why it doesn't work well but I do know about results. Black cinder makes plants way, WAY more happy.

You did say "ornamental" garden though. Not sure what that is comprised of. Maybe no growing plants? It might look good with driftwood yard art and raked in different directions for texture, (Japanese Zen style).

[MarkD]

Black cinder makes plants way, WAY more happy.

Thanks, that's good to know! By coincidence I was going to use the red cinder to make paths and the black cinder to surround plants. So that will work out.

though not as good as gravel for even that

Gravel might make a better walking surface, but IMO it does look as nice. Some people use it to cover their entire yards (on top of black plastic). Usually people who do that don't landscape extensively. Either color cinder is far better, IMO. (How about gravel with a small layer of cinder on top for paths?)

It might look good with driftwood yard art

This is commonly used in California. Looks great. It's dry half the year there. How does it do in Hawaii, with our year-around rains? I've contemplated using it but thought it would decay too fast.

[ElysianWort]

It sounds like you have a good idea. I'm picturing it now with the contrast in cinder colors and pretty little ornamental plants.

As for the drift wood, you may be right. However being soaked in salt has to slow the decay somewhat. But the whole driftwood thing might be more trouble than it's worth for a Puna resident.

[My 2 cents]

Cinder for pathways out in the yard is fine but you might want to think twice about using it around the house. It will stick to your shoes and get tracked into the house, or at least onto your porch where you take your shoes off. Even base course has fines that get tracked in. Best bet around the house is 3/4" clean gravel. JMO

[MarkD]

Good point. These red cinders are for a zen type garden some distance from the house. Red pathways contrast nicely with black cinders and green plants.

[Iju]

Black or Red cinders in bags on craigslist:

https://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/grd/...87237.html