NO PERLITE at Local store... Mulch vs Perlite

LoRd MeGaTR0N31

LoRd MeGaTR0N31

Well-Known Member
Ok just went to all the local stores near me Walmart, lowes, and Home Depot none had over 30 gallons of perlite just a bunch of little of 1.5 gal bags and I refuse to buy perlite online way over charged IMO with shipping. Can I use Dark Brown Hardwood Mulch instead of perlite?
 
LoRd MeGaTR0N31

LoRd MeGaTR0N31

Well-Known Member
Metasynth said:
Was your home depot OUT? Cause I just bought a 2 cubic foot bag 3 days ago. 17 bucks.
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Ok just order the perlite. Went to Home Depot website and saw the 2.0 Cubic feet for $16.97. I order and had shipped to my nearest Home Depot. I am so glad you said something.
 
Metasynth

Metasynth

Well-Known Member
LoRd MeGaTR0N31 said:
Ok just order the perlite. Went to Home Depot website and saw the 2.0 Cubic feet for $16.97. I order and had shipped to my nearest Home Depot. I am so glad you said something.
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Yeah, I need a couple more before the season starts, but my HD always has 'em in stock. Plus, I have 2 HD within 20 miles of my house.
 
sonar

sonar

Well-Known Member
What's all the perlite for? It serves a different purpose than mulch. Mulch is used as a top dressing to improve water retention and prevent the growth of weeds. Perlite is used for aeration and to prevent soil compaction. I used to add extra perlite to peat based mixes like pro-mix, but I found it to be an added expense with little return. After a few good waterings a good portion of it ends up floating to the top anyway. If you are making your own soil it might be a good idea to add some, but imo it isn't worth adding if your mix already comes with some. A nice thick layer of mulch, on the other hand, will help retain water by lowering evaporation. If you are looking for added water retention, vermiculite is what you are after.
 
Nutes and Nugs

Nutes and Nugs

Well-Known Member
Metasynth said:
I use for extra drainage, added aeration, and to help prevent soil compaction.
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Same here.
My bitch about home center bought perlite is it all comes pre-nuted from Miracle Grow.
Hard to buy any soil from those stores that MG hasn't raped anymore.

It's spring and the local plant nurseries have bales of soil and perlite for cheap.
Time to buy!
 
BarnBuster

BarnBuster

Virtually Unknown Member
I've had pretty good luck going to mom and pop type nurseries on perlite and vermiculite 4cf for $25. No fancy labeling, plain brown paper wrapping. Also if you can find any wholesale nurseries close to you that sell to box stores, they may sell to you if you schmooze them.
 
Nutes and Nugs

Nutes and Nugs

Well-Known Member
BarnBuster said:
I've had pretty good luck going to mom and pop type nurseries on perlite and vermiculite 4cf for $25. No fancy labeling, plain brown paper wrapping. Also if you can find any wholesale nurseries close to you that sell to box stores, they may sell to you if you schmooze them.
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The same here, locally owned stores.
Around $18. for a bail of organic soil or perlite.
A bail or white plastic wrapped soil is sorta heavy.
It's like dragging a body into the house after dark.:twisted:
 
Mr.Marijuana420

Mr.Marijuana420

Well-Known Member
LoRd MeGaTR0N31 said:
Lol my nearest (20 miles) Home Depot SUCKS BIG TIME, never have shit when I go in. Been there 4 times in the past 2 weeks.
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you know they have this neat little thing on the website, where you can check the inventory of an item in nearby stores, to see if they have it in stock, or idk maybe give them a call to see
 
Mr.Marijuana420

Mr.Marijuana420

Well-Known Member
perlite and mulch are kinda opposite, mulch helps hold moisture in the soil below, and perlite is for drainage and aeration
 
Carl Spackler

Carl Spackler

Well-Known Member
sonar said:
What's all the perlite for? It serves a different purpose than mulch. Mulch is used as a top dressing to improve water retention and prevent the growth of weeds. Perlite is used for aeration and to prevent soil compaction. I used to add extra perlite to peat based mixes like pro-mix, but I found it to be an added expense with little return. After a few good waterings a good portion of it ends up floating to the top anyway. If you are making your own soil it might be a good idea to add some, but imo it isn't worth adding if your mix already comes with some. A nice thick layer of mulch, on the other hand, will help retain water by lowering evaporation. If you are looking for added water retention, vermiculite is what you are after.
Click to expand...
I wholeheartedly agree. I've seen overuse/abuse of this amendment on multiple outdoor and indoor grows. Even to the point of some growers using what appears to be 100% perlite. If a heavy, clay-based native soil with poor porosity and drainage is a problem it can be beneficial. Most prepared soil mixes (Foxfarms ocean forest, Miracle-grow etc.) already contain perlite and vermiculite in good ratios that provide excellent drainage, no more perlite is needed. Once again the all too familiar mantra of new growers rears its head "If a little bit is good a whole lot more must be better, right?" Wrong...
 
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