Perlite is used to improve the substrate and aerate the soil of your crops.
WHAT IS PERLITE?
Expanded perlite is a mineral product that has been subjected to an expansion process at 1200 ºC, it is inert, stable, neutral (pH between 6.5 and 7), sterile, light and insulating.
AGRONOMIC QUALITIES OF PERLITE ARE:
- Great capacity to receive and retain water and fertilizers
- Facilitates aeration
- Sponge the floor
- Performs a good drainage job
- Stimulates initial rooting and vigorous plant growth.
FOR WHAT TYPE OF CROP CAN WE USE PERLITE?
Perlite can be used to mix with other substrates or to use in recirculated hydroponic cultures and lost solution hydroponic cultures. It tolerates excess watering due to its drainage capacity.
LEARN MORE ABOUT PERLITE
It is a substrate that has been used as an additive in peat-based substrates but can also be used as a sole substrate for growing crops. It is a hydrated obsidian mineral that has been subjected to high temperatures.
It is a light substrate with great oxygenation and hence its properties as part of other substrates. As a sole substrate it may have more problems since a pH lower than 5.5 could cause aluminum phototoxicity (which could be confused with Ca and Mg deficiency).
Its use in hydroponics in North America is limited to being part of a substrate with 70 or 80% coconut and the rest perlite.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Its pH is 6.5-7.
- Content: Hydrated obsidian mineral.