How can I substitute Perlite?

KrazyAnneBanks

Well-Known Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #1

Any ideas?

 

KangarooBunny

Active Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #2

You can use rice hulls, pumice, turface or calcined diatomaceous earth for an alternative aeration amendment.

 

topfuel29

Well-Known Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #3

L.E.C.A
Light expanded clay aggregate

 

chuck estevez

Well-Known Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #4

Growstones
http://watercooledgardens.com/Grows...rce=googleps&gclid=CMWG7N6_67gCFed_Qgod9hQA-w

 

canefan

Well-Known Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #5

All the above have their merits, I personally like wheat hulls or rice hulls depending on what is cheapest when I need to add them. They both degrade nicely and add to the soil as they decompose.

 

hashdisciple

New Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #6

Sand, smooth stone, styrofoam, polymer crystals, all depends on place time and what your goal/ strain selection is.

 

Maphyr

Active Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #7

KrazyAnneBanks said:

Any ideas?

Click to expand...

I'm using rice hulls.

 

B

bigsteve

Well-Known Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #8

Sorghum or peat moss are about the cheapest and easiest to find. BigSteve.

 

ThorGanjason

Well-Known Member

• Aug 7, 2013

• #9

bigsteve said:

Sorghum or peat moss are about the cheapest and easiest to find. BigSteve.

Click to expand...

Peat moss retains water as opposed to helping drainage.

Sand is also a good choice to help for drainage purposes, but perlite has tiny pores that helps hold nutrients. If you aren't going to use it (mind telling why? It works wonders in soil) then at least use the expanded clay or something that will give you other benefits.