AusBonsai

G'day.
Anybody have experience using perlite in there potting mediums?
I've recently bought some and was planning on mixing with potting mix when I repot my figs starting this weekend.
Any views appreciated

Ben

Perlite has good moisture holding and good drainage properties but the drawback as potting mix component is the very light weight.
Perlite tends to float up out of the mix when you water for the first couple of times before the roots get well established. A lot will end up sitting on the surface of the pot and can end up blowing round the yard.
Lighter mix can mean that more pots blow off the bench in windy locations than when using heavier components.
I save perlite for propagation mix and use heavier components in the potting mix.

That make sense, thanks!

Yes Ben, I use quite a bit of perlite in my mix and find that very little of it is wasted by blowing away. It's an excellent retainer of moisture and when repotting I've found that the very fine hair roots actually grow into them.
Cheers, Frank.

Really? Ok ,thanks Frank.

Ive used it a little and ive found it works ok in the mix but i didnt like how messy it can be floating up and blowing around. Better for smallef stuff i reckon.

Greg

I use the coarse grained perlite a lot for my growing out stock. Its really cheap, $30 for 100l, roots love it and it's really lightweight. To counteract the weight I put rocks in the bottom of the pots to stop them blowing over and then cover the top inch or so with something heavy like sphagnum or wood chips. I don't use it in bonsai pots because of how it looks and how easy it can blow out of them.

SquatJar wrote: ↑October 23rd, 2019, 12:30 pmblow out

off topic but, damn that user name made me giggle

Mbunro wrote: ↑October 24th, 2019, 9:08 am
off topic but, damn that user name made me giggle

its been my nickname for about 20 years, funny that now 18 years later I am into bonsai