Perlite top dressing

[SamRD]

Can I top dress with perlite? I've read somewhere it ends up getting absorbed into the soil.

My soil is already mixed with perlite, I would like to add more.

 

[weedstoner420]

IME perlite actually tends to float to the top because it's lighter than the rest of the soil...

Why do you want to add more perlite? Most folks use it because it's basically inert, i.e. contains no nutritional value, and doesn't break down easily.

 

[Billy the Mountain]

Can I top dress with perlite? I've read somewhere it ends up getting absorbed into the soil.

My soil is already mixed with perlite, I would like to add more.

It doesn't

 

[SamRD]

IME perlite actually tends to float to the top because it's lighter than the rest of the soil...

Why do you want to add more perlite? Most folks use it because it's basically inert, i.e. contains no nutritional value, and doesn't break down easily.

For drainage

 

[SamRD]

It doesn't

Okay nevermind then

 

[alphapinene]

just mix 25-30% perlite to your soil when transplanting..so 2 cups soil 1 cup perlite, or 3 cups soil, 1 cup perlite.

 

[weedstoner420]

For drainage

Yeah sorry, too late for that unfortunately...

 

[Popop]

Miracle grow perlite has nutes , just so you know

 

[calvin.m16]

When I run out of coco I top fill using perlite that is leftover from my failed trial with Autopots. Plant loves it.

 

[Friendly_Grower]

I always thought perlite was to help drainage.

What is perlite made of?


volcanic glass

Perlite is made from a mined volcanic glass of the same name. As a raw material it contains water, trapped by the rapid cooling of lava. The moisture vaporizes explosively when heat is applied.Mar 26, 2014

Then there is Vermiculite.

What is vermiculite used for?




How to use vermiculite. Vermiculite helps to aerate soil while simultaneously retaining water and nutrients, which it then releases over time. Vermiculite is therefore useful in seed sowing and propagation. It can also be added to house plant compost.Feb 26, 2021

That's what I always thought. Perlite to help not retain water and Vermiculite to retain water.

So if it's a too wet soil mixing Perlite can help. If it's a dry soil Vermiculite can help.

Both are basically popped rocks so what nutrients I cannot say. None possibly,

I recently bought organic soil from an organic soil store (believe it or not) and they had Gypsum in the mix.

Gypsum helps soil better absorb water and reduces erosion. It also cuts down on phosphorus movement from soils to lakes and streams and improves the quality of various fruits and vegetables, among other benefits.”

Also from another article

“Gypsum is a good source of both calcium and sulfur, which crops need for good yields,”

Once I have recycle all my soil through composting I will be adding Gypsum for next winter's grow.

What to do in a soilless grow-op? I don't know

 

[calvin.m16]

I always thought perlite was to help drainage.



Then there is Vermiculite.



That's what I always thought. Perlite to help not retain water and Vermiculite to retain water.

So if it's a too wet soil mixing Perlite can help. If it's a dry soil Vermiculite can help.

Both are basically popped rocks so what nutrients I cannot say. None possibly,

I recently bought organic soil from an organic soil store (believe it or not) and they had Gypsum in the mix.


Also from another article

Once I have recycle all my soil through composting I will be adding Gypsum for next winter's grow.

What to do in a soilless grow-op? I don't know

Perlite stops compaction for me. I use large containers with coco. Unorthodox but it works for me and my lifestyle. Coco doesn't need perlite for aeration. It's a good "foundation".

 

[Friendly_Grower]

Perlite stops compaction for me. I use large containers with coco. Unorthodox but it works for me and my lifestyle. Coco doesn't need perlite for aeration. It's a good "foundation".

Wisdom in every word.

I love reading what people do and think with growing.
Never tried Coco. I read good things about it.

 

[jungle666]

Wisdom in every word.

I love reading what people do and think with growing.
Never tried Coco. I read good things about it.

Talking of coco, is it beneficial to mix it with soil for grow bags

 

[calvin.m16]

Talking of coco, is it beneficial to mix it with soil for grow bags

Coco holds as much oxygen as moisture from what I understand. I used to run Sunshine Advanced #4 bales and they had coco in them. If you feed plain water and add coco to your blends make sure to add some calmag for your first few waterings, it has a natural tendency to absorb positive ions.