One of the things I've been doing for my plants the last couple years is to put a 1/2" layer of perlite on top of my potted plant mixes. I do this for two reasons: 1) squirrels don't seem to like perlite much and they usually go dig in non-perlite topped pots and 2) water tends tO bead up on top of dry mixes, but if you out perlite on top, the water travels right down through the soil for some reason - it makes watering easy!

I found that doing this with my figs was actually having negative impact. I had a 3gallon Conadria that persistently went limp before end of day. I assumed it was because it was root-bound, so I went to up-pot it this week. When I popped the top layer of perlite off the plant, I found the tree had made an extensive root system through the perlite!! No wonder t was going limp in the heat of the day!

Anyway, just wanted to share the observation in case anyone else is doing this. I am going to stop topping my potted plants with perlite and just deal with the watering woes and hope the squirrels stay away for now.

Jason,

Why don't you use Aged Pine Bark?

I know you mentioned the perlite was to keep the squirrels away but this stuff is much better for the plants and much cheaper.

I get the big bag ( I think 3cu. ft. ) for around $10.

Plus, to me, I think it give out this nice pine smell.

I used to mix it in the mix before I started buying perlite and now I am going back to it. Drains just as well. And you don't have to breathe the dust from it either.

Just my 2 cents.

I use mini pine nuggets.  I have over 30 pots on my deck and the squirrels always go for those that do not have the bark.

The perlite is acting like a surface layer of dirt and your tree is reacting normally sending out roots just below the surface.  Remember dark and damp promotes rooting...

Alan I do not know of any garden perlite that has fertilizer in it every brand I have dealt with is sterile.. Here is information on  perlite.

What is Perlite?

Perlite is a unique volcanic mineral which expands to about 13 times its original volume when it is heated to a temperature of approximately 1600 F (871C). During the heating process, the mineral particles pop like popcorn and form a granular, snow-white material that is so light in weight it weighs only about 5 to 8 pounds per cubic foot (80-128 kg/cubic meter).

Each particle of perlite is comprised of tiny closed air cells or bubbles. The surface of each particle is covered with tiny cavities which provide an extremely large surface area. These surface cavities trap moisture and make it available to plant roots. In addition, because of the physical shape of each particle or perlite, air passages are formed in the growing media thereby providing excellent aeration. Fertilizer appropriate to the plants being grown should be added. Horticultural perlite is available in several different grades. The coarse sand size has been used for many general gardening and horticultural applications, but the finer grades work best when used outdoors.

Advantages of Horticultural Perite

• Improves aeration and drainage
• Makes moisture and nutrients readily available to plants
• Is inorganic and does not deteriorate.
• Has an essentially neutral pH of 6.5 to 7.5.
• Serves as an insulator to reduce extreme soil temperature fluctuations.
• Is sterile and free of weeds and disease.
• Is clean, odorless, lightweight, and safe to handle.

thanks for the info very interesting.  Northeastnewbie I purchased some red sicilian fig cuttings from you on ebay and they are doing great wish I could post the pics but I have still yet to master uploading pics!!

Miracle grow perlite that comes in 8 quart bags at most home centers is enhanced with liquid plant food. Says it right on front of bag.
Never was in past .

Could be possible in the box stores i guess.  I only use whitemore super coarse perlite from my horticulture supplier. I buy it in 6 cu ft. bags for $22.00 each.

Will call me I gave you my number it's pretty easy. I will walk you though it. Al I need a bag of that stuff this fall.

Hey NEN, is your hort supplier local? The last coarse bag I got came from Waldor Orchid, they are very nice people by the way and may even deliver if they have a route nearby.

The only bag of coarse perlite I've gotten is partly pulverized into powder.  I've been using a dust mask and sifting the powder out, but it's really a pain to do so.

Question:  Is the sifted-out powder good for anything at all?

Thanks,

noss

yes - broadcast on your yard.

Yes they are local and have stores along the east coast Griffin Greenhouse supplies. I think they even truck ship right to your door.

Noss I found the same thing even though it is coarse the handling and packaging of the material breaks it down. I used to sift it then I just said the heck with it those little pieces work the same. If you are working on a small scale and have the time go ahead but large scale it is not worth the time and loss of product to separate.

Does the pine bark cause the soil to be too acidic for the fig trees?

Im sick of people saying that perlite is safe. This is a direct quote off a bag of perlite:

"*Avoid creating dust.
 *Long-term exposure to airborne dust may cause silicosis or
   other lung diseases. "

Im making up some planter boxes and will NOT be using this stuff and definitely would not broadcast it into my yard.

Interesting choice for a first post. Welcome.

Government requires warnings like that. Long term exposure to sand dust also may cause silicosis also. Note the word "may". They did not choose the words "will" nor "does", they chose to use "may" to indicate it is "possible", not "absolute". Have you ever read the warnings on a water hose? "Do not drink from hose. Contains known carcinogens which are known by the state of California to cause cancer.". Will you also not water your plants with a hose because you will ingest that water when you eat the fruits or leaves? Sphagnum moss is also tied to a very nasty illness from breathing in the dust or getting it in open wounds. Google for the dangers of using it for more info. It is a component of many potting mixes.....

As with anything in life.... All things in moderation.

Just wear a painter's mask (or similar breathing aparatus) while broadcasting it if you're paranoid about sickness.  You should be doing this when you're working with anything dusty, including mowing yards with sand, etc. because inhaling any dust at all is perpetually bad for your lungs and can cause illness.  Hell, I got pneumonia from inhaling drywall dust back in '98!!!  Imagine my shock ... it was working on a tiny 3'x5' patch on a ceiling that did it.

ughhhhhh......

Perlite is very safe to use. Just follow the directions that are written on the bag. Aspirin is very safe to use....just follow the directions on the bottle. Charcoal is very safe to use.....just follow the directions that are on the bag.........etc. etc. etc. etc.  But, I am only a retired Chemist, what the heck do I know about chemical toxicity, their hazards, and their safe usage? Right?? I just follow the lables because they were written by people who know about toxicity, hazards, and safe usage.

Beach sand and/or plain ole dust particles can be harmful....but there is no bag nor any directions on a bag to advise you of their potential hazards.

Looking forward to learning more about any alternatives that you consider to be "safer". You can be sure we all want to be safe. However, we sure don't need to seal ourselves inside a protective bubble in order to be safe.

Please share your ideas on better alternatives.........

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Now perlite does produce lots of dust, more than most things would. I hold my breath, and walk out of the area to breathe when I pour the dry stuff out of the bag.

Rice hulls are supposed to be a replacement for perlite. Y'all down there should be able to find some easy I 'spect.

What are your thoughts on charcoal as an addition to potting mixes Dan?

Hello Greenthumbkin,

I like your name--Welcome and that perlite dust is a killer and steps should be taken to avoid inhaling that dust.  The dust will choke you in a nano-second.  I wear a dust mask and still am careful.

My brother died from pulmonary fibrosis and a lot of dust can cause pulmonary inflammation which is what causes pulmonary fibrosis, for which there is no cure.  It's always good to wear a mask around dust like that. 

Bird-keeper's lung is another name for pulmonary fibrosis and the constant exposure to feather dust will cause it.  Life isn't safe, so hedge your bets and be careful, then have fun.

Rice hulls break down too easily and they blow all over the place, but digging in them sure polishes up a shovel.

Long ago, when we went to one of the rice mills and were getting our own rice hulls, we had a couple of dirty, rusty old shovels and after we shoveled those rice hulls, the shovels were just a-shinin' like better than new.  So the rice hulls are abrasive and polishing agents as well.

noss

Brent,

I would expect charcoal to compete with the plant for the available nutrients....might be too alkaline too.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

Don't know if anyone has already mentioned this but when using perlite I find there is no dust if you wet it down while still in the bag.
I use a watering can or hose wand with a fine spray and open the perlite bag and spray away. Spray again when you get past the depth that has been moistened.

What about what some people say that the perlite dust is fine enough that it will clog up the spaces that the roots need to breathe?  That's why I was sifting it.  Otherwise, I would just carefully work with it.  Or, are you saying that wetting down will remove the fine particles from the coarse ones and you can scoop those out?  Not quite clear about that.

noss

If you are using a "coarse" grade of perlite there is usually not enough dust to warrant sifting. I use a small garden sprayer with water to moisten before withdrawl from the bag. Doesn't take much time to make it dust free. Thanks for reminding us Drivewayfarmer.

Dan
Semper Fi-cus

I don't bother misting spraying or anything. I pre-wet my potting mix then toss on perlite and mix it into the wet soil. No sifting here. never had clogged anything.

Noss ,
Wetting it is just to keep the dust down for me.
I started sifting thru window screen to get the fines out at first,but it was too much bother.
The Super coarse grade of perlite I get has quite a lot of fines in it. The last 4 large bags I got thru a Greenhouse supply company had more fines than I like to see, but sifting wasn't worth it with the dust exposure involved.