You might have also encountered perlite when you saw these white, jagged pebbles in plants and succulent pots.
Thus, in this post, we will cover everything that you must know about what perlite is.
So let us start with the basic question, what is perlite?
Perlite is not naturally white though because it is a by-product of volcanic activity.
As a matter of fact, perlite is scientifically categorized as a volcanic glass.
It comes in gray or deep black and is industrially processed to become white in color.
What does perlite look like?
When mixed with commercial potting soil, they will look like crushed white shells.
When bought for construction, perlite will look like small white pebbles.
When bought for gardening and landscaping, perlites are amorphous which means that they do not have exact shapes.
Of course, inhydroponics, perlite will be diluted in water.
What is perlite used for?
For this section, we will highlight why perlite is a mainstay in many gardens and hydroponics setup.
How is perlite made?
In nature, perlite is made from hydrating an obsidian rock.
But the perlite we know that is used in gardening and hydroponics is processed further.
You see, the perlite we know undergoes a popcorn cooking like process.
First, the gray/black obsidian are mined to be crushed in fragments.
After this, the fragments will be heated until the temperature reaches 900 degrees Celsius.
At that point, the obsidian fragments are already soft and the water trapped in each fragment has vaporized.
The outer surface of perlite will resist compaction and shall block moisture from entering it by absorbing water.
Above all, perlite is cheap and reusable.
As perfect as it may seem, perlite also has its own set of drawbacks.
Second, perlite is dusty and when inhaled by people, the dust is unhealthy.
Types of perlite
In case you noticed, we have been using the term perlite here loosely.
Let us get into the details of each bang out.
Expanded perlite
This punch in is used for construction and industrial activities.
Horticultural perlite
This jot down is the one used in gardening and hydroponics.
It comes in four grades depending on the level of size and water holding capacity (whc).
The finer the size, the higher the water holding capacity.
Vapex
Speaking of industrial grade perlite, we have the third pop in.
Instead of crushing the perlite, it is coated with hydrophobic coating to create vapex.
Seed starters should not have compost or weed in it and that is why perlite is a good mix.
Now, the only trick here is the topsoil.
Of course, not all plants thrive in a generic topsoil pop in.
Thus, you have to identify first what pop in of topsoil will go with specific plants.
This will cease to be the case if you combine it with other growing mediums with higher densities.
The most common medium combined with perlite in hydroponic gardens would be coconut coir and vermiculite.
Perlite for succulents
The best soil forsucculentsis one that drains fast and well.
To propagate cuttings using perlite, you have to use plant bags.
After this, put the cuttings in the plant bag and wait for it to root.
Is perlite organic or toxic?
Because it comes from natural obsidian rocks from volcanic areas, perlite is organic.
Perlite vs pumice
Perlite and pumice are both used as substitute soils or mixes when growing succulents.
Both of them do not retain water which plants need to get excellent drainage.
We all know how perlite works and unfortunately, you cannot mix sand and perlite together.
If left with one choice alone, perlite is a better alternative to pure sand.
It shares with perlite in terms of processing under high heat and being used in gardening and hydroponics.
So given the chance, perlite is still the safest choice.
Does perlite break down?
In contrast with vermiculite, perlite does not break down or decompose with time.
Does perlite hold water?
Perlite does hold water through water pockets created after expanding it under high heat.
you might also conveniently buy perlite online through Amazon and eBay.
Conclusion
To conclude, perlite is a volcanic by-product that is proven to serve many functions.
It is versatile to use in many garden setups.
It is loved because of its water retention and drainage capacity.
And since it can be bought anywhere, no wonder that it is here to stay.
