HYDROPONICS GROWING MEDIA:
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What the heck is it?
Perlite is made by heating silica (flakes of glass) until it expands (like popcorn).
Due to its low density and relatively low price, this substance is used in lightweight
plasters and mortars, insulation, and ceiling tiles. The small
nodules hold water well, yet also provide excellent drainage in horticulture.
This medium keeps plants more open to air, while still
having good water-retention properties, and therefore it makes a good medium for
hydroponics. It is often used as a filler and mixed with heavier media to
help improve
drainage. However, you can actually grow hydroponic plants in a bucket system
using nothing but perlite!
PERLITE
- Advantages:
Reusable; inexpensive lightweight filler.
- Disadvantage:
Cannot be used alone for ebb & flow, as it tends to float away or move
during the flooding cycle.
Mixing with coco coir 50/50:
a superb all-purpose hydroponic medium
Tip: Do not order this medium mail order. You can get a giant bag of it cheap at
Home Depot or the garden center. I paid $13 at Home Depot for a 4 cubic foot bag
(16 lbs). This was enough for a 24 pot setup!
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