Did I buy the wrong perlite?

[RoosterTheBeaten]

I saw Perlite, grabbed it and didn't notice until I got home. Enriched with Miracle grow plant food. Is this usable with amendments?

 

[BearWater]

I saw Perlite, grabbed it and didn't notice until I got home. Enriched with Miracle grow plant food. Is this usable with amendments?
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Thats a good question! I dont know better but the .07 seems like a really small number. I’ll bet it wouldn’t affect the older growth. My question is back to the .07 and how that would affect the seedling stage. Hang tight man! Im sure youll get an answer! : )

 

[Oldchucky]

Even that tiny amount, kind of messes with your claims of being organic if that is the case! It’s probably a lot more expensive than a plain old cheap perlite also!

 

[Phyto]

It'll work fine. Considering you only amend to about 15-20% perlite, that small amount of nutes won't hurt anything. But I agree I'll bet it's a lot more expensive than straight perlite.

 

[RoosterTheBeaten]

It'll work fine. Considering you only amend to about 15-20% perlite, that small amount of nutes won't hurt anything. But I agree I'll bet it's a lot more expensive than straight perlite.

It probably is. It was just under $10 for a small bag. Oh well. I'll look for the straight perlite next time.

 

[RootFarmer]

It's probably "sprayed on" fertilizer. Just enough to justify charging you $3-$4 more per bag. If you're concerned about it then just give it a soak in fresh water, drain off the nutrient solution, rinse a couple times and it'll be virtually neutral I suspect.

 

[Natep]

I do not use perlite any more. Instead I use pumice. Pumice will rise to the top pumice stays more neutral. Doesn’t rise or sink as bad.

 

[HeadHunterpipes]

If whatever is bothering on your perlite you can always rise or soak it, even in hot water if you think that's better.
you're not going to hurt it.
And that's so very little amount of nutrients that has zero effect on your grow,

Perlite is a natural filtration system that allows excess water to drain away while retaining a little moisture and catching nutrients that plants need to grow1. It is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content2. Perlite is heated up to 1,600°F, at which point it pops just like popcorn and swells up to 13x its former size, leading to a very lightweight material3. It is sometimes referred to as "swollen pyrite" and is nicknamed "volcanic popcorn"3.

 

[7munkee]

I do not use perlite any more. Instead I use pumice. Pumice will rise to the top pumice stays more neutral. Doesn’t rise or sink as bad.

Or small sized lava rock. I prefer the lava rock for several reasons, in contains all the trace minerals, doesnt float at all, and seems to be a little more porous than pumice or perlite.

But then again, all three come from a volcano.

 

[RootFarmer]

I do not use perlite any more. Instead I use pumice. Pumice will rise to the top pumice stays more neutral. Doesn’t rise or sink as bad.

Not a fan of standard horticultural perlite. It does tend to creep up over time. I combine pumice and chunky perlite along with bark fines (great habitat for microbes also).

 

[RootFarmer]

Or small sized lava rock. I prefer the lava rock for several reasons, in contains all the trace minerals, doesnt float at all, and seems to be a little more porous than pumice or perlite.

But then again, all three come from a volcano.

I've been thinking about going back to that instead of the big chunky perlite. Putting together a batch of soil now. May need to go pick some up this weekend.

 

[Oldchucky]

I don’t see how you can beat 4 ft.³ of small perlite for 20 bucks! And I use a lot of it! I guess I’m a cheapskate!

 

[Newty]

Or small sized lava rock. I prefer the lava rock for several reasons, in contains all the trace minerals, doesnt float at all, and seems to be a little more porous than pumice or perlite.

But then again, all three come from a volcano.

Is the lava rock you're referring to anything specific or just the black or red you get at a home and garden store?

I would imagine it could be reused easily as well.

 

[7munkee]

Yeah, the black and red stuff. If you can't get the smaller sized stuff, the larger size can easily be broken up with a hammer.

And yes, you can reuse it over and over. Personally, I grow 99% organic and never throw my soil out. In fact, I replant when the old stalks are still partially alive.

 

[RoosterTheBeaten]

But then again, all three come from a volcano.

lol

 

[Phyto]

I've been thinking about going back to that instead of the big chunky perlite. Putting together a batch of soil now. May need to go pick some up this weekend.

There are several sizes (grades) of perlite, based on size.

 

[Phreakshow]

Home depot sells 2 cubic feet of large perlite for 27 bucks.

 

[Phreakshow]

Or small sized lava rock. I prefer the lava rock for several reasons, in contains all the trace minerals, doesnt float at all, and seems to be a little more porous than pumice or perlite.

But then again, all three come from a volcano.

I should go gather some small stuff off my property. Or could just drive a little and get all could want.

 

[hillbil]

Lots of Chert and Limestone
No volcano here
No topsoil either