soil not drying out

[Know One]

Perlite is meant to help oxygenate the root system. If they stay in soil without it, they will suffocate and rot just as shnkrmn mentioned. They will love 40-50% soil to Perlite mix. Sand is not a good thing to add.

 

[Kingrow1]

Perlite is meant to help oxygenate the root system. If they stay in soil without it, they will suffocate and rot just as shnkrmn mentioned. They will love 40-50% soil to Perlite mix. Sand is not a good thing to add.

Not to be a d!ck but who says sand isnt a good thing to add in soil mixes in the right amount??

People been doing it for a long time now and is a valid amendment in most commercial and home potting mixes. Just because you dont use or see the benifits. Google sand and soil mixes dude. Peace

 

[Grow mo]

It's a very recent transplant.

doesnt matter dude roots gro fast

 

[Know One]

No worries Kingrow1. I'll take your word for it that sand is already in many, if not all soil mix nutrients in some degree. It just seems (imho) like at least in this case, more sand would close the gaps which is the opposite of what a healthy root system needs. It's easy to lose your plant to root rot if they don't get plenty of oxygen. Peace

 

[Kingrow1]

No worries Kingrow1. I'll take your word for it that sand is already in many, if not all soil mix nutrients in some degree. It just seems (imho) like at least in this case, more sand would close the gaps which is the opposite of what a healthy root system needs. It's easy to lose your plant to root rot if they don't get plenty of oxygen. Peace

Ah for this you must learn what the appropriate amounts of each amendment in a soil mix should be, i wasnt saying use sand or dont use it just it is used widely. Most times at the bottom of my pots at the end of a grow ill find a thin layer of sand that has washed out of the soil through repeated waterings.

Most soil you buy has it in so dont worry. Perlite is the most basic and best thing to add to soil to areate it, it holds onto water whilst creating big air spaces. Dose both but because of its size and coarese nature it makes little gaps all through the soil. Roots grow into these gaps but when they dry there is enough water in the perlite to keep the plant watered a bit longer. Perlite also helps with underwatering.

Keep it somple and just start with the perlite before adding other amendments and if you want and open airy soil just water lightly and dont compact it, that way it will hold its structure. Shops sell seedling soil which is generally more sandy and fine to develop roots and flowering soil which is more coarse to develope drainage, all you need to do is add 40% perlite and dolomite lime and your soil mix is done. Peace

 

[roidrage152]

Reviving an older thread, but what do people think of the perlite content already in Pro-Mix BX? My friend uses it with no issues, but I feel like my soil is not draining/drying well enough. Was thinking of adding more perlight next time. With straight Pro-Mix BX, I feel like my plants can go nearly 2 weeks without drying out in 15 gallon pots. Temps around 70, humidity 40-50%.