Do I need to use Perlite in my mix if I'm using.....

tulsanurse1 · April 1, 2010

If I am going to be using Gro-Bric's in my mix, would it be okay to use the Perlite?

http://www.spray-n-growgardening.com...GROBRIC&top=10

Zana · April 1, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by tulsanurse1

If I am going to be using Gro-Bric's in my mix, would it be okay to use the Perlite?

http://www.spray-n-growgardening.com...GROBRIC&top=10

Coooooool! Haven't heard of this. But if it was me...I'd mix this with my usual mix...and perhaps skip the perlite. I might try a side by side comparison, some with the gro-bric and some with the perlite. I'll have to go looking for some of it.

Thanks for the heads up. Hopefully its available in Canada.

tulsanurse1 · April 1, 2010

I can't wait to get started. The makers of the Gro Brics is Spray-N-Grow. I was watching QVC one night and they brought this stuff out called Spray-N-Grow. I started checking out the reviews there and was like...."man, I'm gonna start me a garden", even though I have never done it. I ordered my Perfect Blend Kit which included the Spray-N-Grow, fertilizer, and CoCo-wet. Will get it next week. OMG cant wait. Check out their site. I know absolutely nothing about gardening and the sales lady was so patient with all my questions about the items.

outsiders71 · April 1, 2010

You need some kind of aerator if you use coco coir. I use this in my mix instead of peat as I like it better. I use coarse perlite and mix it 50/50. Coco Coir alone will hold too much water and probably rot whatever you're trying to grow.

tulsanurse1 · April 1, 2010

The Coco is coming in the 3 piece kit but I will probably just hold on to it until I understand it a little bit more. Instead, I will be using the the Gro-Brics.

**mdvpc** · April 2, 2010

You should use perlite-you can get it from a garden center or nursery fairly cheaply for a big bag of it.

Wi-sunflower · April 2, 2010

Yup, the grow brics and/or the Coco coir are esentially just a substitute for the peat part of your mix, not the perlite part.

You could use all coco or a blend with peat but shoulld also add perlite and/or vermiculite too. My personal blend is 1-1-1 peat - perlite - vermiculite. The problem with JUST peat and probably the coco is that it will hold too much water, but when it dries out it's(peat) nearly impossible to get wet again without using a wetting agent. The perlite and vermiculite keep it from doing that unless TOTALLY dry.

The other thing is if you are going to do a container garden. I always tell my plant customers that when they are getting a bag of "potting soil" at the garden center to also pick up a bag of perlite or vermiculite. (usually the perlite is cheaper) I want them to have at least a 25% perlite in the potting soil.

The reason is that in a container, you will be watering a whole lot more than if it was in the ground and soon the potting mix will be so "tight" (compacted) that there won't be any air for the roots. The perlite prevents that.

I want to try the coco one of these days but don't know if my local supply house carries it yet.

Carol

April 1, 2010	#1
tulsanurse1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 71	Do I need to use Perlite in my mix if I'm using..... If I am going to be using Gro-Bric's in my mix, would it be okay to use the Perlite? http://www.spray-n-growgardening.com...GROBRIC&top=10

April 2, 2010	#6
mdvpc Tomatoville® Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 4,386	You should use perlite-you can get it from a garden center or nursery fairly cheaply for a big bag of it. __________________ Michael

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April 1, 2010	#4
outsiders71 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 150	You need some kind of aerator if you use coco coir. I use this in my mix instead of peat as I like it better. I use coarse perlite and mix it 50/50. Coco Coir alone will hold too much water and probably rot whatever you're trying to grow.

April 2, 2010	#7
Wi-sunflower Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,591	Yup, the grow brics and/or the Coco coir are esentially just a substitute for the peat part of your mix, not the perlite part. You could use all coco or a blend with peat but shoulld also add perlite and/or vermiculite too. My personal blend is 1-1-1 peat - perlite - vermiculite. The problem with JUST peat and probably the coco is that it will hold too much water, but when it dries out it's(peat) nearly impossible to get wet again without using a wetting agent. The perlite and vermiculite keep it from doing that unless TOTALLY dry. The other thing is if you are going to do a container garden. I always tell my plant customers that when they are getting a bag of "potting soil" at the garden center to also pick up a bag of perlite or vermiculite. (usually the perlite is cheaper) I want them to have at least a 25% perlite in the potting soil. The reason is that in a container, you will be watering a whole lot more than if it was in the ground and soon the potting mix will be so "tight" (compacted) that there won't be any air for the roots. The perlite prevents that. I want to try the coco one of these days but don't know if my local supply house carries it yet. Carol