How Much Perlite

mudballs

mudballs

Well-Known Member
I use as little as possible myself. I want those roots to come in contact with nutrients, not inert white pebbles the roots have to spend energy and time to go around to find nutrients. The biggest crime i see growers do is compressing the soil in the pot with their hands. If you drizzle the stuff in and dont compress it, you dont need any aeration components. No nursery worth its name compresses soil.
 
Poontanger

Poontanger

Well-Known Member
mudballs said:
I use as little as possible myself. I want those roots to come in contact with nutrients, not inert white pebbles the roots have to spend energy and time to go around to find nutrients. The biggest crime i see growers do is compressing the soil in the pot with their hands. If you drizzle the stuff in and dont compress it, you dont need any aeration components. No nursery worth its name compresses soil.
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That may be so but over time your soil will compress with watering,, you can get away with it in Coco, but not straight soil,,
 
quirk

quirk

Well-Known Member
Perlite is the best. I use 1/3rd by volume for excellent drainage, helping to prevent soil from compacting and becoming easily saturated, and to trap plenty of air (roots have to breathe.) Makes for a nice light, fluffy, well draining healthy environment for roots to develop and perform their primary functions.
 
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FidelCa$hflow

Well-Known Member
I t
The3rdMan said:
For every 1 gallon of soil, I mix in 1 quart of Perlite which seems to offer good drainage. Some say you should use as much as 50% to get better results.

To put this question to rest, how much Perlite or other Aeration amendment should be added to your substrate?
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I tend to use more than most. Too many times i see people mix their soil too rich and they end up with root rot or other problems that result from dense muddy aoil
Best practice is to mix gradually until the soil medium sticks together when you squeeze a handful but its not muddy and has an overall lightish feel when you mix it with your hands.
 
MarsSP

MarsSP

Member
The3rdMan said:
For every 1 gallon of soil, I mix in 1 quart of Perlite which seems to offer good drainage. Some say you should use as much as 50% to get better results.

To put this question to rest, how much Perlite or other Aeration amendment should be added to your substrate?
Click to expand...
Cervantes states 30% max, to keep your soil consistent. 25% for me does the job, same as you.
I'm looking for substitutes for perlite. Coco fibers are great. Understanding the roles of rice hulls, vermiculite and sphagnum to increase my options.
 
insomnia65

insomnia65

Well-Known Member
I uses to use a lot of perlite 60/40 I know people who do less and have great results, 70/30 think that's over a 1/3. Really follow tried and tested methods here, good drainage and plenty of air, I've learnt the hard way most of these guys know what they are on about, I've recently gone to pumice but there are a good few alternatives, rice hulls, pebbles etc.
 
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