Perlite

[NSB]

Does anyone use Perlite?

[esrikandan]

I mix it with my compost for seeding purposes. Not sure what it does exactly, plus supposed to aid draining and water retention.

[sewer rat]

I don't use perlite but I do use vermiculite - both fine and medium grade - for my seed sowing.
Vermiculite aids water retention, holding several times it own weight in water whereas Perlite aids drainage. Both aid in the aeration of the compost, but vermiculite also aids in the retention of trace elements within the compost

[phil the shed]

perlite

i use perlite in my compost mix and also vermiculite to top off seedlings and to aid the water retention benefits of using the perlite.
i finds it makes the seedling/seed mix much lighter and easier for the seed to break the surface.

[Snadger]

i use perlite in my compost mix and also vermiculite to top off seedlings and to aid the water retention benefits of using the perlite.
i finds it makes the seedling/seed mix much lighter and easier for the seed to break the surface.

Hence the reason why volcanic islands 'green up' comparatively quickly after a volcano eruption!

[shirlthegirl43]

if one aids water retention and the other aids drainage - don't they cancel each other out in the same pot

I have found that the vermiculite holds a nice level of moisture and the perlite seems to stop it becoming soggy. You get a nicely moistened compost that is easy to maintain by bottom watering. I am having a lot less 'damping off' with sowing seed into fibre pots bottom watered and filled with compost, perlite, vermiculite mix.

[shirlthegirl43]

cheers Shirley

Dim problem, you are welcome. (that is the limit of my Welsh by the way)