The Orchid Doctor Articles under the Heading Perlite

Perlite Comments
PERLITE: Aggregate Additive to potting mixes: white, light product of volcanic origin; inert, holds water, does not decay; keeps medium open; use agricultural grade. OD77-4; RMH 0
PERLITE: As a Culture Medium Coarse perlite alone with a half-inch topping of pea-gravel makes for a healthy root system on a cattleya with normal watering and feeding;a test of two parallel sets of phalaenopsis plants, one in bark and one in perlite, showed superior growth in one month in perlite; a fertilizer with all trace or growth elements is essential. A81-1321; A83-806; 1304 0
PERLITE: As Potting Medium Screen out the fines through a window-screen mesh; place some drainage in the bottom of the pot; position the plant then pour in the Perlite to within an inch of the pot top then cover with half an inch of pea gravel so it won1t wash out; trace elements must be supplied in the fertilizer. Ca8lMar-9Use only the coarse grade and sift out the fines; start with 20 litres of it, add 2 litres of German peat moss, sieved fine, to make it look like Canadian peat moss, add also one cup of superphosphate, one cup of dolomite lime and one cup of hoof and horn meal, not so easy to obtain these days; when potting, top off with pea gravel; recycle old perlite at new repotting time because it contains micro-organisms which revitalize the new mix. AU88-17; Ca81Mar-9 0
PERLITE: As Potting Mix A processed volcanic material, sized, but best for orchids over one-eighth inch in size; inert; inorganic; requires a balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 if used alone; mainly used as an ingredient, is easy to work with, easy to obtain, does not break down, and a bundle can be bought for ten bucks. A86-499 0
PERLITE: Composition It is a calcined mixture of, principally, gypsum (Calcium sulphate) and white clay, with small amounts of other materials all heated to very high temperatures to cause incipient fusion and causing the gypsum to decompose, releasing gas to expand the mix. AU80-24 0
PERLITE: Opinions of the Experts Some use up to 50% in cynbidium mixes and get excellent results; the horticultural grade #3, is coarse and stimulates root development; several growers believe it retains too much moisture at the bottom of the pot. OA82-5; 392 0

New Topics

  1. David George asked question recently purchased orchid shows unstoppable roots in category General Discussion
  2. katherine mott asked question shorter stem with less vigorous blooms in category Phalaenopsis
  3. Glenda Ratliff started topic need info on yellow bird in category General Discussion
  4. Paula Milano asked question Looking to join an orchid club. in category General Discussion
  5. Jeanne Uzar Hudson asked question Meetings for Advanced Growers in category General Discussion

New Comments

  1. Carol Holdren commented on topic "recently purchased orchid shows unstoppable roots " by David George
  2. Michael Makio commented on orchid V. Beatrice Makio
  3. Carol Holdren commented on topic "shorter stem with less vigorous blooms" by katherine mott
  4. Carol Holdren commented on topic "need info on yellow bird" by Glenda Ratliff
  5. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Looking to join an orchid club." by Paula Milano
  6. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on topic "Repotting Large Cattleyas" by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  7. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Paph. malipoense by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  8. William Gorski commented on topic "how difficult is it growing from seed" by kevan gregory
  9. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Information " by Carmen Britton
  10. Carol Holdren commented on member plant C. lueddemanniana var. Coerulea, Venosa by Paulo Fiuza