Can too much perlite be a bad thing?

Here is a plant I harvested today. This is why I’m now adding perlite.

Lots of roots at the bottom of the pot, but they didn’t seem to spread out. Like they went straight to the bottom and curled up.

View attachment 4023096 View attachment 4023097


if they were in that pot growing a little longer-after the transplant into it- the roots would have made it to the twirl. given longer veg time and the whole dirt ball would have been one plug with no loose dirt, all about the time. not sure what dirt you use but you're right perlite will not hurt it. it will provide faster drainage increased oxygen in the root zone and an overwaterer buffer.
your dirt looks pretty healthy btw
 
Compared to using 70/30 coco/perlite and watering every day or two, does the yield increase of having to water twice a day in straight perlite justify it?. Just that it seems like quite a commitment to maintain that, unless you all are automating it?.

probably subjective, but yes, in theory a feeding watering schedule that facilitates more feedings with increased oxygen would naturally increase vegetative growth, much like a hydro set up Vegetating longer always increases final yields. In a healthy space your yield is dependent upon your veg time not flower feedings though.
 
Perlite is a must for me. When I was broke I mixed half compost (miracle grow organics natural) half perlite. Grew great so now I use that mix for all my house plants, potted veggies, and herbs.

Tried straight perlite, mixed sizes, hempy buckets. Hated all the watering. Using coco improved that a lot. Still like soil better.
 
if they were in that pot growing a little longer-after the transplant into it- the roots would have made it to the twirl. given longer veg time and the whole dirt ball would have been one plug with no loose dirt, all about the time. not sure what dirt you use but you're right perlite will not hurt it. it will provide faster drainage increased oxygen in the root zone and an overwaterer buffer.
your dirt looks pretty healthy btw
That’s Coco, not dirt.

I gave that plant a good 10-14 days in the Coco before I flipped it. Just checked, 11 days.
 
probably subjective, but yes, in theory a feeding watering schedule that facilitates more feedings with increased oxygen would naturally increase vegetative growth, much like a hydro set up Vegetating longer always increases final yields. In a healthy space your yield is dependent upon your veg time not flower feedings though.

I see, thnx.
 
I'm using approx 50/30/20% perlite/soil/coco with my seedlings and clones, and a little less perlite when I pot them up ready for flowering.
It definitely helped me as a noob, made sure I didn't over water them.
I think I've officially passed the first stage of noobness, I can now go a full hour without inspecting every leaf :-p
 
Awesome post thanks to all. I was mixing up a special mixture of peat, California 'biogumus' and perlite and I thought to myself... Did I use too much perlite? I guess the question is no since people are using a lot more it seems. I added 1.5 liters to 6 liters of dirt mixture. We will see how it does.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20180617_173115.jpg
    IMG_20180617_173115.jpg
    2.4 MB · Views: 32
Back
Top