Have you recently purchased a plant and wonder what is the white strange granules on the top of your soil or whenever you are repotting your plant you notice those white thing that is mix with the soil that look like a white popcorn? Does it make you think it is some sort of fertilizer or supplemental nutrition because you can see how big the roots and how healthy your new plant is. Actually, is it not a fertilizer nor a supplemental nutrition additive. In fact, it does not have any nutritional value or fertilizing components but its still one of the most widely use element that growers mix with their soil. It is called “Perlite” or in a simple term a volcanic glass or more commonly known as volcanic rock. It is really lightweight but you are still pondering how this simple rock can help with having good healthy plants?
Here are the answers to your curious mind:
- Aeration – it provides air for the soil. We all need air to breath and live, plants is a living organism that needs air to live. Plant roots require air to promote root growth and improve photosynthetic amount. Air for plants is one of the things plant lovers have to consider not just the type of soil or fertilizer. With the right amount of air, plants can exchange nutrients better, does making their roots bigger and stronger.
- Drainage – if you are new plant parent you probably thought that watering your plants can improve plant growth rapidly and that plants like to be watered all the time? You are mistaken. As a matter of fact, one of the reasons why plant do not tend to live very long is that they are over watered but it’s just depending on what kind of plants you are caring for, just like a water lily for example. However, for the sake of this subject. I am referring more on houseplants, indoor plants or exotic plants that is usually potted on a pot. Over watering your plants can cause bacteria, fungus and root rot to form. That is why drainage is a very important part of plants growing medium. Perlite provides drainage that is beneficial to plant growth. With proper drainage, plant can develop its full potential for growing.
- Retains water – plants require water to live but again, overwatering can kill a plant. Perlite retains just the right amount of water that a plant needs when mix with the soil. This white small rock can soak up water.
- Propagation – Some people use perlite for propagation because of all the qualities I mentioned above. They sometimes mix perlite with moss since moss have the capacity to hold a lot of water that can cause root rot and bacteria to form. Adding perlite to the mixture of moss gives it good aeration and drainage which is perfect when propagating. One of the best things you can try with perlite when using it as a growing media for cutting propagation is to get a transparent container with lid and pour a good amount of perlite and add water, remember not to put too much water just enough for the perlite to float. Add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide into your water. Hydrogen peroxide adds extra oxygen molecule and prevents root rot. It’s like putting a first aid treatment in your plants. Depending on your growing environment, you can either close the lid or leave it open if you have a good amount of humidity. Always make sure that plants have a good amount of light as well. A good grow light is also one of the crucial things to have if you do not have enough sunlight for your loving plants since plants require sunlight to photosynthesize.
So, when you see these small white granules again in your plants. You will now recognize the importance of it on your plants and what kind of care they usually need.