zhilin
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Post by zhilin on Mar 2, 2010 6:40:55 GMT
I find Walmart is selling bags of perlite. Since perlite is a necessary component to the standard CP soil, I want to buy a bag. But I am wondering, does the perlite include impurity elements and hence need to wash by purified water? Thanks.
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Post by ICPS-bob on Mar 2, 2010 6:51:45 GMT
First, perlite is not "a necessary component to the standard CP soil". Many of us do not use perlite. If you want to use it, check the label carefully to make sure that it has not been spiked with fertilizer -- an increasingly common practice. Check out the chemical analysis on Wikipedia. Perhaps soaking in water for a while might be a good idea. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perlite 70-75% silicon dioxide: SiO2 12-15% aluminium oxide: Al2O3 3-4% sodium oxide: Na2O 3-5% potassium oxide: K2O 0.5-2% iron oxide: Fe2O3 0.2-0.7% magnesium oxide: MgO 0.5-1.5% calcium oxide: CaO 3-5% loss on ignition (chemical / combined water)
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fredg
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Post by fredg on Mar 2, 2010 19:25:36 GMT
As Bob says perlite isn't a necessary component. Since my source of fine gravel disappeared from the shelves I have been using perlite for CPs and terrestrial orchids. I use it straight from the bag, don't stick your nose in there as the dust will not do your lungs a lot of good. Mix the compost up outside making sure that you're upwind. You would have a devil, of a time trying to soak it, it floats. ;D
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Post by peterhewitt on Mar 2, 2010 20:35:05 GMT
I have read reports that unleached perlite can affect Nepenthes seedlings negatively (something to do with conductivity) and I'm sure this includes other cp as well. i regularly use Perlite, but i wash it and rinse it well before use. (Wearing a face mask)
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Post by Alexis on Apr 16, 2010 18:22:19 GMT
Always used it straight from the bag with no problems.
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taz6122
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Post by taz6122 on Apr 21, 2010 21:35:12 GMT
The only perlite they sell at all my local walmarts contains fertilizer. Read the entire label and if it's miracle grow, forget it.
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Post by Dave Evans on Apr 21, 2010 21:50:10 GMT
What? I've never seen perlite mixed with fertilizer... How would it even stay in place?
Perlite is great stuff. Apparently, some sources of perlite have been contaminated and when used did poison the plants. I have never heard of this happening with CP's though.
Do wet the perlite and do rinse it. It really isn't a bad idea to rinse all the soils you use for CP as nearly all species occur on naturally leached soils.
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taz6122
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Yesterday is History.Tomorrow is a Mystery and Today is a Gift.Thats why we call it the Present.
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Post by taz6122 on Apr 21, 2010 23:00:17 GMT
Well I guess you don't get out much!
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Post by ICPS-bob on Apr 22, 2010 5:13:37 GMT
Around here all of the small bags of perlite are enriched with Miracle-Gro as shown above. I can only find huge bags of large perlite (size of an almond) that are not enriched. Consequently I stopped using perlite a couple years ago.
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zhilin
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Post by zhilin on Apr 23, 2010 23:56:09 GMT
Thanks all of you guys, especially taz6122. You gave me a warning. I've never realized the fertilizer mixed in the perlite (but fortunately, up to now I bought all the soil components from some famous CP nurseries). Today I checked the local Home Depot and saw the product showed in taz6122's picture. Yes, the perlite is mixed with fertilizer! Since I plan to buy soil components from local stores (to save shipping fees if I buy from online CP nurseries), I will be very careful about this issue.
Thanks again.
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zhilin
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touch the sky, reach the star
Posts: 294
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Post by zhilin on Apr 23, 2010 23:57:48 GMT
Hi, Bob, Could you tell me what's soil components you used to replace the perlite in standard CP media for VFT, sarr. etc? Thanks, Zhilin Around here all of the small bags of perlite are enriched with Miracle-Gro as shown above. I can only find huge bags of large perlite (size of an almond) that are not enriched. Consequently I stopped using perlite a couple years ago.
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Post by Dave Evans on Apr 24, 2010 0:55:41 GMT
I guess not! Must be some sort of regional marketing scheme... Seriously, I've been out to Lowes and Home Depot, they don't have fertilized perlite...
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Post by peterhewitt on Apr 24, 2010 11:02:26 GMT
Hi, Bob, Could you tell me what's soil components you used to replace the perlite in standard CP media for VFT, sarr. etc? Silica Sand is usually used.
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taz6122
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Yesterday is History.Tomorrow is a Mystery and Today is a Gift.Thats why we call it the Present.
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Post by taz6122 on Apr 24, 2010 23:58:33 GMT
I guess not! Must be some sort of regional marketing scheme... Seriously, I've been out to Lowes and Home Depot, they don't have fertilized perlite... The stuff I pictured is the only perlite sold here at Lowes, Home depot and walmart. I have to drive 60 miles to get ferti-lome or schults(SP?) perlite which does not contain fertilizer. Silica sand is a good substitute if it can be found in large grain. Unfortunately the stuff sold at pool stores here is to small and doesn't allow for proper drainage or aeration. If I could find the #12 stuff Tom Hayes uses that is what I would use instead of perlite. Here is a comparison of all 3. #12 silica/pool filter sand/perlite
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Post by Not a Number on Apr 25, 2010 0:55:12 GMT
Try a sandblasting supplier. You should be able to get silica sand in the grade you want from them. Wear a respirator when working with unwashed silica sand and perlite or risk silicosis
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