"...“People don't realize it, but some potting soil is actually flammable...”

http://www.omaha.com/article/2...

I had no idea!

Sounds like somebody wasn't keeping their plants watered! But I can imagine how potting material with a high bark content could ignite, and I think peat is also used for fuel in some countries.

I never gave any thought to potting soil fires.


Officials: Potting soil ignited, caused porch fire.

"Firefighters said a fire on Washington Avenue in Wheeling last month started because a potted plant became too hot, and the blaze caused much damage to the house's porch.

"Though it is rare for potting soil to catch fire, officials said it can ignite with the right combination of high humidity, extreme heat and dry soil.

Wheeling Fire Department's assistant chief said the mixture of the soil, shredded bark, peat moss and Styrofoam balls can be flammable in those conditions.

"Back to the old rule of spontaneous combustion: The organic and inorganic material that is put in potting soil now combined with some fertilizers that some soils have. And fertilizer is an oxidizer, which would intensify spontaneous combustion," said Assistant Chief Ed Geisel. ...'

http://www.wtov9.com/news/news...

Hmmm, sounds like "Revenge of the Neglected Plant!" Maybe we could make a movie.......

All I could think with the first one is it's time that somebody quit smoking!

woofie said:Hmmm, sounds like "Revenge of the Neglected Plant!" Maybe we could make a movie.......

I can hear Martha Stewart narrating.

I was unaware that styrofoam is being added to potting soil. Is it a cost factor?

Maybe they're getting perlite confused with styrofoam?

Most people think perlite IS styrofoam!

I just got a plant order which needs attention but I quick googled "is there styrofoam in potting soil" and apparently some have it.

Eeeeeewwwww! I'm not sure I want styrofoam in my potting soil!

Only styrofoam I have used is peanuts at the bottom of a HUGE pot for fill before putting in potting soil.

I was worrying about aromatic petrochemicals breaking down in the soil and releasing unwanted or even toxic hydrocarbons , but reading shows that styrofoam is slow to biodegrade. That's something.

But I don't even like the way Perlite looks in a garden. I draw the line at styrofoam (polystyrene) as a soil amendment.