Earthlite(TM) Extensive Growing media
Earthlite® extensive is an engineered growing media designed for extensive green roof applications. Extensive green roofs have a typical depth of 3 to 6 inches with a saturated weight of 15 to 30 pounds per square foot. Earthlite® extensive roof media is an ideal growing media for drought-tolerant plants in a low/no maintenance setting. This mixture will provide an attractive natural environment that will function without the need for supplemental irrigation. Earthlite® extensive provides a protective cover for the building by using the natural elements of sun, wind and rain to sustain itself.
While 2”-4” depth will support hardy succulents like Sedum and Delosperma species, a depth of 5” or more will also support other hardy perennials and grasses.
Earthlite(TM) Extensive Specifications
This media is a mixture of Earthlite(TM) expanded lightweight aggregate, Axis® calcined diatomaceous earth, and an STA approved organic content complying with the following requirements:
Granulometric distribution
- passing US # 100 (d=0.15 mm) < 20 mass %
- passing US # 50 (d=0.30 mm) 5 – 30 mass %
- passing US # 30 (d=0.60 mm) 20 – 45 mass %
- passing US # 16 (d=1.18 mm) 30 – 60 mass %
- passing US # 8 (d=2.36 mm) 50 – 80 mass %
- passing US # 4 (d=4.75 mm) 65 – 95 mass %
- passing US 3/8 (d=9.50 mm) 95 – 100 mass %
- proportion of slurry-forming components < 15 mass %
(d < 0.063 mm)
Apparent density (volume weight)
- when dry (46 lb/ft3)**
- at maximum water capacity (60 lb/ft3)**
Water and air management
- maximum water-holding capacity > 35% Vol.%
- air content at maximum water capacity > 10% Vol.%
- water permeability (saturated hydraulic conductivity) > 0.0236 in/min
pH value, salt content
- pH value (in CaCl2) 6.5 – 8.0
- salt content (water extract) < 3.5 g/l
- salt content (gypsum extract) < 2.5 g/l
Organic substances
- organic content < 8.0 mass %
Nutrients
- Nutrients available to plants
- Nitrogen /N) (in CaCl2) < 80 mg/l
- Phosphorus (P2O5) (in CAL) < 200 mg/l
- Potash (K2O) (in KAL) < 700 mg/l
- Magnesium (Mg) (in CaCl2) < 160 mg/l
Additional requirements
- absence of any phytotoxic substances
- absence of foreign substances
- fire resistance
- frost resistance
** Values may vary depending on regional availability of components
