Perlite makes a great hydroponic planting medium due to its light weight, porosity, and inert nature.
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!
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!
Learn about Coco Coir
Learn about LECA
Return From Perlite to Growing Media
RETURN TO THE HOME PAGE
DISCLOSURE
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
What are affiliate links?
PROUD OF OUR
PRODUCTS
Solexx Greenhouses
Authorized Dealer
Bundled Essentials
Package Kits-
Best Buy on the 'net
New! Comments
Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.