PERLITE

Expanded perlite is a mineral product that undergoes a process of expansion at high temperatures (1200 ºC). It has several agronomic qualities that make it valuable in horticulture and gardening. Here is a detailed description:

What is Perlite?

Expansion process: Perlite is a mineral product that undergoes an expansion process at a very high temperature. This process makes perlite inert, stable, neutral with a pH between 6.5 and 7, sterile, light and insulating.

Agronomic qualities of perlite:

Water and fertiliser retention: Perlite has a great capacity to absorb and retain water and nutrients, which makes it useful for maintaining a water balance in the growing medium.

Soil aeration: It facilitates soil aeration, allowing plant roots to breathe properly and preventing compaction of the substrate.

Drainage: Perlite improves soil drainage by preventing water accumulation in the plant roots, which is crucial to prevent root rot problems.

Stimulation of rooting and vigorous growth: Perlite encourages initial rooting of plants and promotes healthy growth.

Uses of Perlite:

Mixing with other substrates: It can be used mixed with other substrates to improve its water retention, aeration and drainage properties.

Hydroponic crops: It is suitable for use in recirculated hydroponics and lost solution hydroponics due to its drainage capacity.

Tolerant to overwatering: Perlite is tolerant to overwatering due to its drainage capacity.

More information about Perlite:

Perlite is a lightweight substrate with excellent oxygenation, which makes it valuable as a component of other substrates. However, as a sole substrate, it can have problems if the pH drops below 5.5, as this could cause phototoxicity due to the aluminium present in perlite, which could be mistaken for a calcium and magnesium deficiency.

In hydroponics in North America, perlite is generally used as part of a mix with a high percentage of coir (70 or 80%) and the rest of perlite.

Perlite specifications:

pH: 6.5-7

Content: Hydrated obsidian mineral.

In summary, perlite is a valuable component used in horticulture and gardening because of its water retention, soil aeration, drainage and rooting promoting properties. It can be used mixed with other substrates or in hydroponic growing systems, and it is important to keep its pH in the right range to avoid toxicity problems.