Why is perlite so expensive?

I went down to my local CVS to get some perlite and they're like charging $6.99 plus tax for 12 quarts of perlite? What is it made up that would make it cost so much?

Dude, I went to my local nursery today and it was $9 for the same amount. I simply walked out. Seems the price has gone up dramatically lately and I can't find small amounts anywhere. Not really sure why...

Because growers buy it.

ive heard lowe's and home depot sell big 3 cu. ft. bags of it...............is that true?

Um... might be that Perilite is not cheap because it has volcanic origins, not like it grows on trees.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perlite

Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently. It is an industrial mineral and a commercial product useful for its light weight after processing.

no but you can grow trees in it!

Part of the "Price" has to do with it being Winter instead of Spring (you ought to see how expensive Christmas Tree Lights are on the 4th of July!).

Yeah! They sell big bags of Perlite at lots of places.

MacGuyver4.2.0 said:

Um... might be that Perilite is not cheap because it has volcanic origins, not like it grows on trees.
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Maybe when the Mayon Volcano in the Philippines blows, it will flood the market with new perlite and drive down prices...

Well in this neck of the woods you can't even find real Pearlite unless you happen to want to get mugged at the hydro dope supply store. Now you can find Miracle Grow Brand with the kewlish slow release built in ferts which is guaranteed to kill any rope plant within a hundred mile radius of the nasty stuff...at any of the home improvement box stores..nurseries etc. Past few years I have subbed out Pearlite for some stuff brand named "Turface." It's a fired clay water absorbent granular substance, Prob kin to hydroton rocks etc. If it is any worse than Pearlite I cant tell it. Buy it at the wholesale lawn supply places. Lesco..John Deere etc. It about 9 bucks for 50 pounds. I use "Game Saver" but they have several different geno types based on the size of the granuales. They use it to soak up water after a bad rain at athletic fields. Ph is dead on neutral. Does not compact in the least. Seems to be about the same as the P for water retention relinquishment etc. First heard about it on Roll it Up. Lot of smart folks on here Has saved me a tub of money on my HB's. Maybe missed Five O copying my tag number at the hydro shoppe. Thanks to whoever mentioned it.

alwayspackin said:

ive heard lowe's and home depot sell big 3 cu. ft. bags of it...............is that true?

Click to expand...

i got a 4 cu ft bag at home depot for $20 or $25 i forgot.

Miracle grow also makes a non- nute perlite.$3.79 a bag. Thats at Meijers if ur in tha midwest.

dirt cheap at lowes but then again i payn rediculous amounts for a tiny seed so 6 bucks for perlite dont seem so bad

ace hardware where im at sells big pillow sized bags for $4.99.