perlite substitute question Debco coarse grit ?

beansin · Mar 3, 2023

im growing in soil / organic indoor low till and getting ready to mix up some new soil but im sick of using perlite because it breaks down too fast and starts comming out of the soil making it too compact after a few runs

i am looking for a better product then perlite and i cant get Pumice where i live unless i pay a stupid ammount for it

i can get something called Debco coarse grit from my locial shops . i wanted someones opinion if its good enough to use for substitute

amazon link to show product but i dont intend to buy online

Debco Coarse Grit for Potting Mixes 5L - Improves Air Circulation & Drainage - for Creating Own Mixes - Bonsai Mix & Open Cutting Mix : Amazon.com.au: Garden

www.amazon.com.au

green_machine_two9er · Mar 3, 2023

Sound like it’s just sand. I wouldn’t use it. Perlite works fine for me. It’s just important to be on top of your cover/companion planting as this is what really fights compacting over many runs.

beansin · Mar 3, 2023

green_machine_two9er said:
Sound like it’s just sand. I wouldn’t use it. Perlite works fine for me. It’s just important to be on top of your cover/companion planting as this is what really fights compacting over many runs.

its abit more coarse then sand but not that far off

i just pulled 4 crops from my grow bed back to back but this last run just failed hard and pertty sure its due to compaction and too much water retention . soil still has plenty like left in it just has gone gluggy not mud but not far off and takes forever to dry down

time to start a new bed and let the other one rest or just recycle it

might just have to up the amount of perlite this mix and expect it to deteriorate again idkf lol

i perfer just useing mulch . havent really been in to cover crops they kind of annoy me to be honest because makes it harder to work in a topdressing

i will keep shopping around or settle for perlite $50 for 5kg of Pumice stone isnt happaning lol

GenericEnigma · Mar 3, 2023

beansin said:
its abit more coarse then sand but not that far off

i just pulled 4 crops from my grow bed back to back but this last run just failed hard and pertty sure its due to compaction and too much water retention . soil still has plenty like left in it just has gone gluggy not mud but not far off and takes forever to dry down

time to start a new bed and let the other one rest or just recycle it

might just have to up the amount of perlite this mix and expect it to deteriorate again idkf lol

i perfer just useing mulch . havent really been in to cover crops they kind of annoy me to be honest because makes it harder to work in a topdressing

i will keep shopping around or settle for perlite $50 for 5kg of Pumice stone isnt happaning lol

Have you looked into local availability and price of lava rock?

hillbill · Mar 3, 2023

NAPA 8822 Floor Dry works with perlite, much like vermiculite. Provides both retention and drainage. It’s puffed Diatomaceous Earth.

green_machine_two9er · Mar 3, 2023

beansin said:
its abit more coarse then sand but not that far off

i just pulled 4 crops from my grow bed back to back but this last run just failed hard and pertty sure its due to compaction and too much water retention . soil still has plenty like left in it just has gone gluggy not mud but not far off and takes forever to dry down

time to start a new bed and let the other one rest or just recycle it

might just have to up the amount of perlite this mix and expect it to deteriorate again idkf lol

i perfer just useing mulch . havent really been in to cover crops they kind of annoy me to be honest because makes it harder to work in a topdressing

i will keep shopping around or settle for perlite $50 for 5kg of Pumice stone isnt happaning lol

I understand the annoyance of cover cropping but Long term it’s the only way to ensure a bed performs. Think about the deep woody roots of legumes or buckwheat, as they decompose they add pockets of aeration and literally “pump” the soil upward. Fights compaction. I’ve dug out beds and started over many times. But arming yourself with a full bed plan it can go on forever.

But you need all the weapons. Mulching, cover crops. Green manure and top dressing all happening at once.

beansin · Mar 3, 2023

green_machine_two9er said:
I understand the annoyance of cover cropping but Long term it’s the only way to ensure a bed performs. Think about the deep woody roots of legumes or buckwheat, as they decompose they add pockets of aeration and literally “pump” the soil upward. Fights compaction. I’ve dug out beds and started over many times. But arming yourself with a full bed plan it can go on forever.

But you need all the weapons. Mulching, cover crops. Green manure and top dressing all happening at once.

i will have to consider using a covercrop again . ran out of seeds so never bought more as i felt it was a waste .haha rip compation as a punishment for being ignorant i guess

beansin · Mar 3, 2023

GenericEnigma said:
Have you looked into local availability and price of lava rock?

i can get lots of that for a acceptable price or something called volcanic rock . pretty sure its the same stuff. its sold as a landscaping stone so hadn't considered it . unfortunitly most stuff i can get access to is what my hardware store sells or if i order online but that cost way too much

perlite substitute question Debco coarse grit ?

beansin

Active Member

Debco Coarse Grit for Potting Mixes 5L - Improves Air Circulation & Drainage - for Creating Own Mixes - Bonsai Mix & Open Cutting Mix : Amazon.com.au: Garden

green_machine_two9er

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beansin

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GenericEnigma

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hillbill

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green_machine_two9er

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beansin

Active Member

beansin

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