Yardenman said:I'm surprised! I thought perlite provided trace minerals. After looking it up on Wikipedia, I discovered it is basically just a soil loosener like ground-up styrofoam. I won't bother using it any more. Thank you!
Hi Yardenman,
I don't know where you got that idea about the trace minerals, but Perlite is labeled to "improve drainage and aeration in potting mixes" and, in my opinion, it does a much better job of that than the cheap styrofoam substitute.
I routinely use Perlite to improve drainage and aeration in my potting mixes, and in the seed starting mixes that need it. A waterlogged seed starting mix or potting mix is a very bad thing, and many plants or seeds or seedlings can drown in such a situation. Plant roots need both oxygen and water.
ZM
