How to Use Perlite in Growing Media
You might have heard all about the benefits of horticultural perlite, such as its ease of use, sustainability, affordability and convenience. If so, you may be wondering how to put it to good use in your residential, commercial or agricultural gardens. Here is what you need to know.
Why Should I Consider Growing in Perlite?
Horticultural perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that effectively stores moisture and nutrients for plants. Perlite only retains a complementary amount of moisture based on the rate at which the plant absorbs it, all the while allowing any excess to drain away. Along with these benefits, perlite is a great choice for gardeners and farmers because it is clean, lightweight, sterile and environmentally friendly.
How to Start Growing in Perlite
The first step is choosing what type of perlite to use. It is available in three different , namely coarse/large, medium, and fine.
- Coarse Agricultural Perlite
Due to the fact that coarse horticultural perlite has the highest level of porosity, it maximises drainage and allows for better airflow throughout the soil. For this reason, coarse perlite is often a great choice for both residential and commercial gardens.
- Medium Perlite
This grade is typically used in the construction industry, however it can also be used when you are propagating seedlings in small trays. It can also be used in pots or bags on its own, for growing tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.
- Fine Perlite
The fine perlite entrains more water than the coarser grades and is used in a similar applications as the medium perlite as well as when rapid root production is required. As such, you will often find it in rooting cuttings and seed-starting mixes.
Finally, you can also utilise horticultural perlite in hydroponics.
We Manufacture High-Quality Horticultural Perlite
There are many reasons why you should consider Sun Silicates as your trusted horticultural perlite supplier. For example, due to the fact that we are the only local manufacturer of both perlite and vermiculite. Furthermore we are in a unique position to supply premixed products that are custom-made to our customer’s requirements. For more information about our horticultural perlite for sale, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.
