What to use instead of perlite?
- Thread starter Maman123
- Start date
twostrokenut
Well-Known Member
Didn't someone say pumice is better in that other thread of yours about other soils than FFOF?
racerboy71
bud bootlegger
i've always just used chunky perlite, i have never had an issue with it floating up to the top of my containers..
Chunky Stool
Well-Known Member
Special Kitty all natural cat litter from Wal-mart. (Calcined clay.)
Your plants will dig it.
Your plants will dig it.
farmasensist
Well-Known Member
Vermeculite does same thong with code red mt. Dew is better flowering nutes.
CaliSmokes
Well-Known Member
Boulders. Or Hydroton clay pebbles
WeedFreak78
Well-Known Member
I just read about rice hulls. Seem to be an alternative to perlite and acts a a detergent to fungus gnats. I think it maybe adds micros, as well. I haven't fully researched it.
april
Pickle Queen
Small pebbles or sand....neither absorb water and both prevent compacting if mixed in properly...I always do this with my outdoor pots since we have hot dry summers out here...roots luv to wrap around pebbles plus it creates a small reservoir in the bottom for extra water to drain or collect. ..the roots can also get an extra drink on those really hot days!
Cpappa27
Well-Known Member
The perlite comes to the top as it is less dense than dirt. I actually find this unintentional layer of perlite that comes to the top to be beneficial. Small soft bodies insects dont like it cause it cuts them up and scratches them so they cant get under it to lay eggs. I would leave it and add more!
WeedFreak78
Well-Known Member
What about starch based packing peanuts? Would they hold up for 2-3 months? 20cu ft bag of peanuts is $30. Perlite is $25 for 2 cu ft...
CaliSmokes
Well-Known Member
Uhhh nooo, if you can't afford perlite I'd just save up. It's 4 dollars a bag at Home Depot. You don't need name brand for perlite.
bryan oconner
Well-Known Member
why bother with the perlite ? just water when they need it .
Chunky Stool
Well-Known Member
I just bought a bag of bio-char and it wasn't cheap. Good thing I only need 5-10% in my mixes.
Why do you have to choose one? I'm starting a new batch in the next couple of days and the new mix will have bio-char, perlite, and calcined clay. I feel the same way about lighting; HID, LED, CFL, it's all good.
bryan oconner
Well-Known Member
i always liked the perlite on the top the bugs never get into the soil or mold .
Mr.5280
Member
Thats the best part...you dont have to chose just one. You just have to figure out what works best for you and your situation. Every grow is different and every grower is different. Its a beautiful thing.
mockasin
Member
Styrofoam is supposed to be safe to grow vegetables in, so I imagine they'd be safe to grow weed in... however since OP's problem is that it accumulates at the top, this wouldn't be a very good solution. Also if you're using lights that get hot I would be even more wary of using styrofoam.
I've been researching into alternatives as well, rice hulls, sand, pebbles all mentioned seem like valid options. Also have heard of using soil made from bark fines, which is more aerated than regular potting soil. I'm actually really curious about the kitty litter thing, though I can't find a lot about it. Since it's clay does it not just retain water?
greasemonkeymann
Well-Known Member
it's the usuals, pumice, vermiculite, biochar, sand, glass, perlite, volcanic rock, calcined clay, etc.
you do NOT want anything based with bark fines, absolutely not, will sequester nitrogen, and drive your ph down as well.
depending on what is in your soil mix is what should dictate what aeration you use, more organic mixes (organic content, not nutrients, the CEC) will benefit from more air displacing aeration, meaning perlite, sand and the like, in mixes that have lower CEC (coco for example) you want more water retaining qualities, from like vermiculite, and to a degree pumice.
there is no perfect aeration for everyone, it's all predicated on what you got going on, your nutrients preferences, ambient humidity, lights, ventilation, believe it or not they all work together