Perlite

[Amanda1]

Following on from another thread (which I can't find now), a grape (can't remember who, I think it was Nicos) advised me to add perlite to my potting compost for drainage. How much should I expect to pay for say 10l? I've been looking around and the price seems to vary so I don't know if I'm paying over the odds or not

[smallblueplanet]

I think I paid £4/5 for mine, but it was urgent, at 3.45pm on a Sunday, from the local garden centre and we live miles from any DIY/Garden store!

I've seen Wilkinsons do it at a very cheap price (as with most stuff), but can't remember exactly what price as I didn't want to annoy myself.

[Nicos]

Perlite or vermiculite....I'm no expert on the use of these!!!!! I got mine at about 1/4 price at the local allotment society compared to the garden centres (70p for a big bag). I've gone for vermiculite, but have no idea why!!! No idea what I'm doing there either....blind leading the blind on that one I'm afraid , but I do know I need better drainage as my compost has gone mouldy in the past and I know they both help drainage .Looks like it's working too!

[Amanda1]

Nicos, if you hadn't have said anything I would have mouldy compost too. How much are you planning to add, i.e 5 parts compost and ? part perlite/vermiculite?

[Nicos]

I've used 5:1 but as I said ....blind leading the blind!

[SueA]

I use vermiculite, sometimes mixing a handful in with the compost & sometimes to cover seeds I have sown (I've used it on my tom. seeds & they've come through nice & clean). I think I paid about £1.99 for a bag.

[Jaxom]

Medium Grade Vermiculite - 100ltr for £10.99
Here is the link http://www.lbsgardendirect.co.uk/pro...sfile=1&jump=0
hope this helps. they also sell Perlite for the same price range.
Jax

[Red]

Many thanks for that link, Jaxom - it still works, and I've just bought some perlite via it. Very very cheap, same quality as everybody else's, and good service.

[ClayGarden]

ebay is an excellent place to get both these. I got it from a seller last year and you could ask for different quantities of different grains. You specified. Cheap postage too because its sooooo light for volume.

[janeyo]

Does vermiculite rot down in the soil over time? Could I put it in with my lemon compost for drainage or would I need something more permanent like grit?

janeyo

[Pieman]

Thanks for the lbs link.....not happy with them

ordered some pots which were in there "clearance" when they're gone they;r gone section.....

not available until middle of May............but will ring em and ask to add some vermiculite for a reduced price as a gesture of goodwill as I was never informed of the delays when I ordered on Easter weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mrs dog]

Ah ah, I have just spent 30+ minutes trying to get rid of a hoe (it was in my basket) which I neither want nor need! All I wanted was the vermiculite which is the cheapest I've seen yet. Given up tried to phone but the office is closed! I will try again tomorrow. My allotment shop keeper charges far more when I ask than he does anyone else , so I wouldn't buy anything from there on principle!

[MrsC]

vermiculite and perlite £1 for 5l at wilkos