1. Forum News
    VOTING IS NOW OPEN FOR THE SEPTEMBER MONTHLY COMP ( last one for a while) and ALSO THE 30 DAY COMP.., Photo Competitions Are Changing!
    Please Support The Road Verge Campaign!
    Dismiss Notice

growing medium

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by miraflores, Sep 19, 2019.

  1. miraflores

    miraflores Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2006
    Messages:
    5,471
    Location:
    mean daily minimum temperatures -1 -2
    Ratings:
    +2,394
    What can be used as a substitute for Perlite and Sphagnum as a growing medium?
     
    miraflores, Sep 19, 2019
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. ARMANDII

    ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2019
    Messages:
    42,957
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +86,937
    I take it by that, Miraflores, you mean in pots and containers? I rarely use either unless I have a specific plant that needs it as a growing mediu. I normally use 5 parts General Purpose (Peat added) Compost, 3 parts coarse sand, and two parts grit...........works for me:dunno::heehee:
     
    • Like Like x 1
      ARMANDII, Sep 19, 2019
      #2 Quote in Conversation
    • Mike Allen

      Mike Allen Total Gardener

      Joined:
      Jan 4, 2014
      Messages:
      1,333
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +2,298
      Perlite is used as a water retentive and aerater. Have you thought about using coir? There are many alternatives. What do you wish to grow?
       
      • Like Like x 1
        Mike Allen, Sep 19, 2019
        #3 Quote in Conversation
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        27,395
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        joinery
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +27,512
        I've never used perlite, overpriced rubbish :biggrin:
         
        • Friendly Friendly x 1
          pete, Sep 19, 2019
          #4 Quote in Conversation
        • ARMANDII

          ARMANDII Low Flying Administrator Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jan 12, 2019
          Messages:
          42,957
          Gender:
          Male
          Ratings:
          +86,937
          See!!, there you go again, pete, never saying what you think, always sitting on that fence.:wallbanging::dunno:
           
          • Friendly Friendly x 1
            ARMANDII, Sep 19, 2019
            #5 Quote in Conversation
          • CarolineL

            CarolineL Super Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 12, 2016
            Messages:
            644
            Gender:
            Female
            Occupation:
            Retired Software engineer
            Location:
            Rural Carmarthenshire
            Ratings:
            +1,438
            IMHO Perlite is great for some cuttings - they take very quickly in it. I used to use it in pots but found that it ended up near the surface and then washed off. Now I use grit - very cheap. I do use expanded white volcanic rock (like perlite but much bigger and heavier) as part of my orchid compost though.
             
            • Like Like x 3
              CarolineL, Sep 19, 2019
              #6 Quote in Conversation
            • longk

              longk Total Gardener

              Joined:
              Nov 24, 2011
              Messages:
              11,096
              Location:
              Oxfordshire
              Ratings:
              +21,893
              What are you looking to grow?
               
              • Like Like x 1
                longk, Sep 28, 2019
                #7 Quote in Conversation
              • ricky101

                ricky101 Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Jun 15, 2016
                Messages:
                1,057
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Yorks
                Ratings:
                +1,351
                Also depends on what you are growing ?
                Sphagnum is often used in things like orchids where moisture retention is required.
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                  ricky101, Sep 28, 2019
                  #8 Quote in Conversation
                Loading...
                Similar Threads - growing medium
                1. ChilliPepper

                  Is there an affordable medium for growing salad leaves, orientals etc?

                  ChilliPepper, Jan 30, 2019, in forum: Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling
                  Replies:
                  18
                  Views:
                  611
                  longk
                  Feb 3, 2019
                2. CathMac

                  Growing medium for Oleanders ?

                  CathMac, Apr 20, 2012, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
                  Replies:
                  3
                  Views:
                  718
                  CathMac
                  Apr 21, 2012
                3. Jack McHammocklashing

                  Newbie Question about growing mediums

                  Jack McHammocklashing, Mar 21, 2012, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
                  Replies:
                  10
                  Views:
                  560
                  Jack McHammocklashing
                  Mar 22, 2012
                4. silu

                  Liming growing medium in tubs for Lilies

                  silu, May 22, 2011, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
                  Replies:
                  0
                  Views:
                  410
                  silu
                  May 22, 2011
                5. Parrot

                  Mushroom growing

                  Parrot, Sep 1, 2019, in forum: Edible Gardening
                  Replies:
                  4
                  Views:
                  127
                  Parrot
                  Sep 8, 2019

                Share This Page

                1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                  By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                  Accept Learn More...
                  Dismiss Notice