trisch Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 I see Perlite can be purchased in different grain sizes, ie, fine, medium and coarse. Is there any preference which one to use or does it not matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexis Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 It doesn't make a massive difference but I go coarse when given the option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 likewise, coarse for me given the choice. I find fine's OK for cuttings though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billynomates666 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 I very rarely get teh opportunity to use coarse, but that would be my preferred grade too. Most of my media is medium. Cheers Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deltatango301 Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Mine is medium and I thought that was just right But hey I am a newbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisch Posted April 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 Thanks for your replies. Can anyone tell me who sells coarse - a lot of companies advertise coarse / super coarse for sale but they are all actually standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pulsar Posted April 22, 2016 Report Share Posted April 22, 2016 most perlite in the uk is horticultural grade medium.you can get coarse grade but its not generally stocked by suppliers so can be quite a wait to get some fine grade is only really useful for sowing seeds ect and taking cuttings ect into small plugs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Another option might be growstones which are actually recycled glass, expanded so that it's very porous much like perlite (although supposedly more porous). You can buy it in two size grades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bux Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 I usually remove dust from perlite with a 2 mm sieve... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Krelbourn Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Manders I like the sound of the expanded glass, sounds similar to the stuff they sell for fish keeping filters, I suspect it is a lot more expensive than perlite. Bux. I have heard that, despite perlite being inert, the dust can be harmful if breathed. I rinse my perlite in water to remove the dust. Fill the sack o f perlite with water and then use a sieve to decant it into another container - a bit of a faff but no dust. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bux Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 the dust can be harmful if breathed You are right, I handle perlite outdoor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gundog Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 Wetting it down sounds like the best way, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gundog Posted April 23, 2016 Report Share Posted April 23, 2016 I have also done some trials with the composted bark with no perlite,and all plants are doing as well as the ones with perlite,but i must say the the bark doesn't compact like peat,so perhaps no perlite needed at all with bark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manders Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Manders I like the sound of the expanded glass, sounds similar to the stuff they sell for fish keeping filters, I suspect it is a lot more expensive than perlite. Bux. Don't think it was much different to perlite in price, it's wast glass recycled after all, we are currently using it for semi-hydroponic orchids but next time I repot a nepenthe I'll probably use it mixed with peat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Krelbourn Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Manders Does the expanded glass have a brand name or is it just generic expanded glass grow stones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S Krelbourn Posted April 24, 2016 Report Share Posted April 24, 2016 Manders Just found growstones ( I think I confused eBay when I included expanded glass in my search). Looks amazing, great air to water ratio, don't know about for my sarracenia but I will definitely try it on my orchids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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