Propagation:Vermiculite vs perlite - Daves Garden Perlite is very light weight, it picks up very little weight from water, and large plants in a high Perlite mix can actually topple over in the mix Bark has the weight and "friction" to hold the plant steady, even in an outdoor windy setting
Propagation:how to sterilize perlite? - Daves Garden Sifting, cleaning and disinfecting used perlite for recycling saved 56% of the cost to replace the media and reduced salt content to the optimum level recommended for raising container grown plants Disinfecting used perlite with hot water raised media temperatures above limits necessary to kill several fungi and nematodes
Hypertufa 101: Make One Trough or Throw a Party - Daves Garden Perlite and or vermiculite We used perlite and didn't sift out the bigger pieces, so we had some pretty rough-textured mix Experiment with different combinations and see what you like Sand A layer of damp sand in a shallow box can help support your project, especially if you're putting the mix on the outside of your mold
Does adding perlite to planting hole count as good drainage? If you're just amending a small area what you're doing is in effect creating a clay bowl for your plant--water can drain through the soil perlite mixture, but when it gets to the bottom of the hole and runs into the clay it isn't able to drain quickly past that, so you can end up with an effect similar to growing a plant in a container with no holes in the bottom
Organic Gardening:Vermiculite vs. Perlite - Daves Garden "Coarse" Perlite is smaller than "fine" bark nuggets The only disadvantage of nuggets is that they are "chunks" instead of long thin "shreds" Nuggets are shaped like hockey pucks or hamburger patties, in sizes from 1 8" up to "large nuggets" with long dimensions up to several inches
Beginner Gardening:how important is the perlite? - Daves Garden I use Perlite for nearly everything Even in outside flower beds Depending on the type of watering needs Plants that need to have constantly moist soil (i e peace lily) I use less perlite For plants like amaryllis I use a lot, 1 part peat moss to 2 parts perlite For carnivorous plants I use a 50 50 mix of peat moss and perlite
Best brand soil for African Violets - Daves Garden Perlite helps keep the mix on the drier side, vermiculite helps keep the mix on the moist side Charcoal keeps the soil "sweet" That is another topic that is constantly debated
Beginner Gardening:adding sand to potting soil? - Daves Garden Just add one part perlite to 4 parts soil if ya need to improve drainage If the soil drains well, water flows out of the holes within a minute of two, you won't really need an amendment It is easy to get caught up in all the varying methods amendments
Rooting and grafting Brugmansia - Daves Garden Cut, and plant in a lose well aerated soil Water as frequently as it dries out and wilts The more aerated the soil the better Another trick I have found is to simply place a layer of about 1 inch of perlite where the cut end is, a layer of good soil under neath the perlite and below the cut end that is suspended in the perlite