Using 80% perlight ?

[Paulneill]

Hi guys,

Due to lack of products were I live ( North west wa ) I'm looking for ideas and components to make up a good bonsai soil.

I like inorganic material to ensure curl grubs are not an issue.

I'm thinking 80 % perlight 20% coconut husk or somthing like this. it gets very hot were I live so I'm limited to growing bougainvillea and figs.

I can buy perlight from e bay , 50 bucks for 100 litres .

Anyone used perlight as the main component to there soil mix.

I'm not sure if it will dry out to fast ?

[shibui]

I think the main drawback with perlite is the weight. Trees tend to blow off the bench, even with a light breeze.

[Paulneill]

im only planning to grow very large collected trees bougenvilliea, in homemade wooden boxes .

Thanks for the reply shibui.

Can it be used 100%

I only have experience with diatomite and zeolight .

How would it compare to diatomite ?

Would it hold enought water if I missed one day in 40 deg heat?

[shibui]

You could certainly grow plants in 100% perlite. Hydroponic growers use it as a medium sometimes. You would certainly need to adjust all your care and culture to match the needs of the medium but it could be done.
I think perlite is quite similar to diatomite. Both absorb water and nutrients. Both are granular so allow plenty of air filled porosity. Perlite tends to be softer so the particles will break down quicker.
You should also be aware that perlite comes in different size grades - fine, medium and coarse. I use medium perlite in my propagating mix

Whether a pot holds enough water depends on far more than just the medium in it - size of pot compared to size of the tree, amount of leaves on the tree, where it is placed, shape of pot, temp and wind, etc. I don't think there is a valid answer to your question.

[dansai]

I've seen references to using it at 100% in the US for colected trees. Probably mostly junipers.

Make sure you tie your trees in well. It doesn't seem to lock as tight as other media so your trees may move around in it or fall over.

[GavinG]

I'm not sure that it doesn't break down over time - pumice and diatomite (except the dud batch) might be a bit more durable. See if you can find some diatomite used as an oil-spill cleaner up there. And good luck with the climate. Maybe test out 30% coco peat - I use 80% pumice, 20% coco peat in Canberra quite happily, but your summers will be much more torrid, and the winters warmer, so rot might not be as much of a problem.

And try some of the native species that grow round your area, if only so we can find out what the hell is happening up your corner of the planet.

Good luck,

Gavin