tips & tricks
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Vermiculite is a popular companion to perlite as it does hold considerably more water .”
contribution towards resolving these issues when used in the proper ratio . If your grow pots are sheltered from wind , perlite placed on the surface of the grow media will wick away moisture from the surface and reduce or eliminate mold and moss . Perlite , however , is lightweight , which makes it problematic for grow systems where it might float . Deep water culture is an obvious one . With ebb and flow , the perlite particles may slowly travel towards the surface of grow pots , causing uneven distribution within the pot . Any grow system where flooding is a part of normal operations may not be appropriate for using perlite . Though it is not a synthetic material , perlite can have a detrimental effect on the local ecological environment because it is strip mined . So , when buying perlite , it is worth researching the various firms that mine it and learn how they implement the maintenance of soil composition and ecology , and what steps they take to restore the environment . When done properly , there is no need to leave the landscape damaged after the mining process is finished . As perlite does not hold much more than one per cent moisture , it is usually best used in conjunction with other materials . Vermiculite is a popular companion to perlite as it does hold considerably more water . In fact , vermiculite will hold from between 30 and 50 per cent of its volume in water , and 200 to 300 per cent of its weight . When mixed 50 / 50 with perlite , it will do an excellent job of providing much-needed media porosity and air , as well as help to sustain plants from drought . If mixing perlite or vermiculite with peat moss , however , a combined ratio of between 25 and 35 per cent by volume is best .
The ability of perlite to improve aeration while it aids in providing water makes it an excellent product for many hydroponic applications . Perlite is a naturally occurring inorganic , chemically inert , and sterile product , so it does not represent a threat by adding unwanted biologics or pests into your system . It is also an insulator , so it can effectively reduce relatively high ambient air temperatures from transferring into the soil or media when used as a surface or lining product ( see the QR code at the end of this article for ideas on how to do this and other important reference information ). The question of whether to use perlite or not will first be decided by the type of system you are using . Some systems will not work well with it — mostly because it floats . Otherwise , this beneficial natural material can help to maintain a healthy root system by assuring that the soil or grow media stays porous and provides oxygen for root respiration . Healthy roots mean greater yield and better-tasting crops . Any time you notice your grow media is becoming hard or compacted and seems to drain more slowly , you may want to incorporate some perlite into the mix .
110 grow cycle