Yossu Posted February 10, 2016 Report Share Posted February 10, 2016 Hello, Following my recent disaster with the wind, a couple of CPers here were kind enough to help me rebuild. I was planting some Sarras, and used a 50:50 mix of peat moss and play sand. As I was doing it, it occurred to me that the if the sand is there to help with drainage (correct me if I'm wrong on that one), then play sand is probably too fine. If anything, this made the peat more solid, and presumably more water-retentive. What sand should I use? I just bought plain play sand, and it's very fine. Should I use a coarser grain? If so, do I just buy it in a garden centre or builder's yard, or do I have to be careful what's in it? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted February 11, 2016 Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 I don't use sand at all, as I find that even some supposedly lime free horticultural sand contains alkaline grains. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted February 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 I don't use sand at all, as I find that even some supposedly lime free horticultural sand contains alkaline grains. What do you use instead? I've heard dire stories about perlite, and am a bit nervous about using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted February 11, 2016 Report Share Posted February 11, 2016 What do you use instead? I've heard dire stories about perlite, and am a bit nervous about using it. What have you heard about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ada Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 perlite is fine for sarras,just damp it down a bit and wear a mask if you're that worried about it. I'd be more worried over lime in the sand! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3Star Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I use a 50/50 peat moss/perlite mix and, as Ada suggests, I spray the perlite before I use it to keep any dust down. In the past I have incorporated sand in my mix but found it made it to heavy and compact which I considered wouldn't be good for root development. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxman Posted February 12, 2016 Report Share Posted February 12, 2016 I do use a portion of sand in my sarra mix. It's J Arthur Bower horticultural sand - they also do a grit - and I've not had any trouble. My preferred proportions are peat:perlite:sand in ratios of 4:2:1 (think this comes from one of Slack's books). But like's been said the sand is not essential. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carnivine Posted February 14, 2016 Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 I use a 50/50 peat moss/perlite mix and, as Ada suggests, I spray the perlite before I use it to keep any dust down. In the past I have incorporated sand in my mix but found it made it to heavy and compact which I considered wouldn't be good for root development. I use exactly the same mix too, seems to work fine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted February 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2016 Thanks to all of you for the replies. Maybe I was just being paranoid about the perlite. I seem to remember someone posting a warning here (Welshy perhaps? Can't remember), and it rather putting me off. I guess if I take precautions, I should be OK. Does it matter where I buy it? Don't know if there's any difference between one person's perlite and another! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gundog Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 If you buy a big bag ebay is your best bet and its free p and p,got mine for less than £20 type in horticultural grade perlite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted April 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 If you buy a big bag ebay is your best bet and its free p and p,got mine for less than £20 type in horticultural grade perlite Thanks for the advice. As it happens, I found someone on eBay selling perlite pretty cheaply, it has the advantage of being light, so P+P wasn't much, and I bought a decent sized bag. I got a mask like builders wear, and use it whenever I handle the stuff. The mix feels better than the ones I did with sand, which feel too solid. Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tuberousdrosera Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 Why not just wet the perlite in the bag eliminating any dust 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linuxman Posted April 5, 2016 Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 Why not just wet the perlite in the bag eliminating any dust Yes I do that, and only use it outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yossu Posted April 5, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2016 Why not just wet the perlite in the bag eliminating any dust Erm, 'cos that would be easy and sensible? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ahrens Posted April 6, 2016 Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 Builders sand is totally unsuitable, it has probably got lime in as well. You should use lime-free horticultural sand. The standard Adrian Slack mixture for Sarracenia is 4 parts sphagnum moss peat, 2 parts perlite and 1 part sand. Growers have been experimenting with other mixes as discussed above. Why not be a bit more environmentally savvy and use coir in place of the peat. It works just as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobile Posted April 6, 2016 Report Share Posted April 6, 2016 There is no guarantee that horticultural sand is lime free. I've had some which had some grains that fizzed when exposed to mild acid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gundog Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 If you want to try something different to peat have a go at the potting bark by melcourt if you need proof if it works have a look at mike kings plants,ive just started with it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ahrens Posted April 7, 2016 Report Share Posted April 7, 2016 Melcourt is good stuff for VFT's as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yunzi Posted April 25, 2016 Report Share Posted April 25, 2016 I've got some aquarium sand thats marked "does not change pH" - is it safe to assume this would be ok for carns? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.