Perlite For PlantsPerlite is an inorganic material, volcanic in particular that when heated to 1,600 degrees Fahrenheit, would result in a lightweight, granular white substance that can benefit the plants when used with potting soil mixes. Making possible for moisture and oxygen to freely flow into the plant roots are the tiny air tunnels, created by perlite when it is included among the ingredients for house plant growing mixes. Such characteristic is very important because 98% of the oxygen is absorbed by the plants through their roots. Pot mixes that are poorly drained shut out the oxygen. The roots too shut down and the plants die from suffocation. Many attribute plant failure to over-watering. However, when it is mixed with soil, it promotes good drainage by enhancing the root’s capacity to absorb oxygen. It is done by making moisture, oxygen, and nutrients readily available to plants. The unique shape of each particle makes the moisture and nutrients adhere to the openings until the plants need them. Also, the granular quality of the volcanic material grants easy drainage for the excess moisture while allowing space for oxygen entry. In seeding, it alone can be an efficient seed-starting medium. In some gardens, it is used to fill up 50% of the seed-starting medium. Some seeds are not great at “pushing up.” The soil amendments is very light in weight. Thus, the medium is not pulled down especially when seeds are already sowed. Gardeners moisten the medium thoroughly and sow the seeds on top. The very fine seeds are atomized and left to settle into the crevices. To ensure that the growing mix is not dried out, the seed box is sub-irrigated at all times until the seeds start to sprout. And placing a plastic cover on top of the box keeps it humid. Perlite for plants is also good in providing better distribution of fine seeds. Gardeners usually use a clean salt shaker and very fine mixture of the growing mix then fills-up the shaker about ¼ inch. The seeds are added into the shaker and the mixture is mixed by shaking. Thereafter, the growing mix is spread evenly onto the seedbed. During winter, when sunlight is the least, it can enhance the light coming through the window. Gardeners do so by placing the mixture at the bottom of plant trays and on the surface of the growing mix, which would make amendment reflect the light into the plants. Plants cultivated using fluorescent lights benefit more with the soil amendment. Perlite is among nature’s best media for growing plants. It can be used alone, in hydroponic systems or added into another soil mix. Similar Posts _________________________________________________________________ Top of Perlite Listed under Hydroponics Gardening |