How important is pearlite?

How important is pearlite? my plants are nearly 4 weeks old, doing 12/12 from seed. was just wondering if it was essential to have pearlite mixed in, i have the plants in the final pots, so how could i go about getting some in there without fucking up the roots and doing some damage?

Perlite and vermaculite play a very important role in our soil. They help provide proper drainage and water retention for our babies.

I wouldn't grow with soil that didn't have either one in it.

its not an absolute neccessity it just helps the roots to breath a bit by stopping the soil compacting too much. ive grown with it and without it. you can achieve the same effect by letting your pots dry out, giving them a squeeze and a few thumps with your hand to open the dirt up a bit. wouldnt bother trying to add it now, you'll probably rip roots and stress the plants for no real benfit.

IMO perlite is a gotta have for drainage.

dura72 said:

its not an absolute neccessity it just helps the roots to breath a bit by stopping the soil compacting too much. ive grown with it and without it. you can achieve the same effect by letting your pots dry out, giving them a squeeze and a few thumps with your hand to open the dirt up a bit. wouldnt bother trying to add it now, you'll probably rip roots and stress the plants for no real benfit.

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phew! thats a relief. cheers i'll do that with them.

add it next time though, it dose help, my mix was about 75% soil to 20% perlite and 5% vermiculite( dont go too heavy on the vermic as its a water retainer and can occasionally cause root rot)....like i said it not an absolute must, they grow well enough in the wild without it, but i'd remember it for the next tiime.......in fact my opinion is dump the soil next time and go for coco coir.....better yeild all round and you dont need to add anything to it.

You dont need to add it, you just need some sort of something to aid drainage, and aerate the soil e.g. pebbles, clay balls, glass beads, whatever takes your fancy

I use 25% perlite in all my soil mixes. Keeps the medium nice and consistent. Great for proer drainage a month or two into the grow.