Perlite: what is it for in the soil

If you have ever bought soil for planting indoor plants, or for planting seedlings, then you probably noticed in the soil small white balls that look like polystyrene. These balls are perlite. Perlite is a natural material of volcanic origin. Formed when lava comes to the surface, cools quickly and turns into volcanic glass obsidian. The use of perlite is widespread among gardeners.

Over the years, water comes through obsidan and it gradually turns into perlite. Natural perlite is dark black or gray in color and has no specific shape or structure. It consists of: 70-75% silicon dioxide, 3-5% water, the rest is aluminum oxide, sodium, iron, magnesium, calcium.

For use in horticulture, natural perlite is heated to 850-900 degrees. As a result, perlite softens, the water bursts in it, it increases in size about 20 times, forming a huge number of bubbles. After heat treatment, perlite becomes porous, capable of absorbing water, and this is used in horticulture.

Perlite properties:

• Lightweight material, can be a substitute for sand when composing soil.
• Environmentally friendly material.
• Does not contain any toxic substances that harm plants.
• Absorb large amounts of water and release it slowly. Low thermal conductivity protects plant roots from hypothermia or overheating.
• Improves soil aeration.
• It has neutral acidity, so it can be used for growing any plants.
• Does not stick together, as a result of which there is no dense crust on the surface after watering.
• Does not rot.
• Pests don't use it as food or at home.

Perlite application

• For germination of seeds, perlite is moistened, seeds are sprinkled on it and they are waiting for their hatching. Then they are sown in the ground. Such germination will protect the seeds from souring, mold and pests.
• Pure perlite is used for rooting cuttings. The roots grow quickly and are not injured. Get the right amount of water and food. So perlite practically does not contain nutrients, they must be added.
• For growing seedlings, a mixture of perlite, loam and peat is mainly used. Due to the fact that perlite collects water, and then gradually gives it away, the seedlings will not experience a lack of moisture. Mold will not form on the surface of the soil. Seedlings will not be sick with fungal diseases.
• For the cultivation of indoor plants, perlite is used as a drainage layer to improve the air and moisture permeability of the soil. Not recommended for cacti and succulents.
• Use as mulch in pots, outdoors. It will not let the roots overheat, the soil will dry out and there will be less weeds. For use outdoors and for indoor plants, different fractions are used.
• To loosen the soil, to increase aeration and to retain moisture in the soil, especially on heavy soils such as clay. Perlite can be mixed with the topsoil or added to the wells before planting.
• For storing bulbs, seedlings. A layer of perlite is poured into a box or other container, the bulbs, tubers, seedlings are laid out so that they do not touch each other and again covered with a layer of perlite. In such a layer, the bulbs will not grow moldy, will not germinate ahead of time, will not dry out or freeze.

Features of the use of perlite

• Moisten before use.
• When working with it, be sure to wear goggles and a respirator, as perlite is very dusty. This is glass dust.In case of contact with face, rinse hands with running water.
• Since perlite contains few nutrients, you should remember to feed the plants when using it.
• Perlite has a neutral pH, but if you use hard water for irrigation, the pH gradually shifts towards the alkaline side, which can slow down plant growth.

The cost of perlite is high and its use in its pure form and in large quantities is expensive.
In stores you can find an analogue of perlite - vermiculite. It is also a natural material of volcanic origin.

Both of these materials increase soil aeration and moisture saturation.
But perlite has a higher air porosity, and vermiculite retains water much better than perlite.

Based on the above, perlite is a good additive to improve the growth of seeds, seedlings and adult plants. The use of perlite to improve the quality of crops grown.