50 / 50 vermiculite / perlite mix, no soil, no peat, no compost.
Excellent water handling characteristics, pH would remain dead
stable. No pests, no disease. Feed with organic tea to replace
the missing OM portion. Would this work as well as a good
standard potting mix such as Pro Mix?

Frank wrote:
50 / 50 vermiculite / perlite mix, no soil, no peat, no compost.
Excellent water handling characteristics, pH would remain dead
stable. No pests, no disease. Feed with organic tea to replace
the missing OM portion. Would this work as well as a good
standard potting mix such as Pro Mix?

IMO that is not a good mix. I have tried mixes with 33 percent perlite
and even with a lot of compose tea they did not work well. Also, too
much perlite (over 25 percent IMO) tends to become "messy".

There are many good commercial mixes (without soil) that work much
better. Also, it might help if you tell us what you want to grow. Some
mixes work better than others depending on the plant.
--
Bill R. (Ohio Valley, U.S.A)



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On Apr 15, 9:26 am, Bill R wrote:
Frank wrote:
50 / 50 vermiculite / perlite mix, no soil, no peat, no compost.
Excellent water handling characteristics, pH would remain dead
stable. No pests, no disease. Feed with organic tea to replace
the missing OM portion. Would this work as well as a good
standard potting mix such as Pro Mix?

IMO that is not a good mix. I have tried mixes with 33 percent perlite
and even with a lot of compose tea they did not work well.

What type tea? I have an endless supply of activated worm tea,
enough that most of it goes down the drain because of 3 day
shelf life. Can't think of anything richer, pure organic rocket
fuel,
puts even Miracle Gro to shame.

Also, too
much perlite (over 25 percent IMO) tends to become "messy".

Drainage agent, first one that comes to mind. There are others
that could be used, maybe coarse sand. I know perlite can
float and separate if flooded.

There are many good commercial mixes (without soil) that work much
better. Also, it might help if you tell us what you want to grow.

Tomatoes, peppers, zinnias, lettuce, everything.

Some
mixes work better than others depending on the plant.

Straight perlite and vermiculite is as dead and neutral as
it gets. Should work with anything that likes well-
drained soil, depending on the nutrients and pH of
the tea.