30% perlite is ideal, i usually put a nice layer of perlite on the bottom for good drainage. try using some rainwater, its good aeration is great for your roots. and if your poking holes, stay away from the main stem by like 2" if you can, also making holes on the side is great if your fan is blowing into the holes. it works great out here in this humidity. if you dont see much growth up top then their roots are probably growing although. just be patient, try not to touch them and theyll fix themselves. a good way to add some mycorrhyzae is to rip out some weeds in your yard that grow very vigorously, their roots have tons of microbes on them. you can just put them in your water or put them in a reservoir with a bubbler on it constantly, add a bit of honey/blackstrap molasses(unsulphured) too if you want them to reproduce and make colonies of microbes, thats the general idea of compost teas really, just much easier
