i am going to be mixing me soil with my perlite at a mix of 60%soil and 40% perlite, so if i wanted to get a 60/40 mix in my pots would i just fill the pot up to 60%full then top it up to the top with the remaining 40% perlite, mix it all in and thats the 60/40 mix done? ^_^

What exac tly do you mean by soil?

Compost?

If it's compost, they don't really need perlite. You'll probably just find you end up watering them more often. If you're using compost, just use compost. It's designed for the job. B&Q stuff is cheap and cheerful, and plenty of sucessful grows have been had to it

Hey there man just use an empty bucket say 6 handfuls of compost 4 handfuls of perlite mix together and then fill your plant pots. The perlite holds water so you probly wont need to water as much. Adding perlite helps for drainage.
hope this helps you out mate

i am using john innes No1 multi purpose compost and everyone that i know or have spoken to uses perlite, just want to know if i got the mix right?

thanks dave, sounds easier than pot by pot

I use about 80% compost to 20% perlite and use a large plant pot and take 8 scoops of compost to 2 scoops perlite as perlite will help the drainage. I also add silca sand medium grit for plants like Lebanese that hate wet compost.

That mix sounds ok. At the end of the day mate even a little bit of perlite is better than no perlite.
I am using john innes no 1 this year and i find it ok. (with perlite )

I grew a plant last year in perlite only (hempty method)

thanks speedman and dave!! right just gonna much me dinner be back in a bit, WHAT THE F*^*^% u grew a plant in all perlite DAM man how did that work out

perilite sucks ass. I have 3 huge bags of it in my garage as I don't use it anymore.

The dust can seriously fuck up your lungs, so if you do use it, use a dust mask (I make my own custom compost mix). Also, if you plan on dumping your compost mix at some point, you have to be ultra stealthy as it can practically be seen from space.

I switched over to coir fiber and have been very happy with the results. Stealthy, healthy and with great results.

The only practical use for perilite I see is in taking cuttings, using a say, 10% preilte compost mix as the cuttings seem to really like it for rooting. However I use a aeroponic styled propagator for my cuts.

I thought about doing this buddy but never got round to it how did they turn out mucka have you any pics ya could post up for me please bud

Personally I'd go with a Multi-Purpose with added JI and no perlite, rather than a JI #whatever with perlite.

However if you are set on a JI#whatever you'll need to add something as out of the bag they are difficult to use (heavy, claggy, set like concrete).

JI #whatever, coco and wormcasts would be a good mix I think.



They won't need feed straight away, but I doubt you'll get four weeks nutrition out of JI#1 mixed with perlite. Keep an eye on the plants but plan to be feeding or potting up again within a fortnight. JI#1 has the least nutes in out of #2 and #3.

One of several huge lessons Ihave learned here is not to dilute ready-made compost with perlite.
I did it for many years and came here thinking it normal to feed in veg. My first growdiary here was done like that. :wassnotme:

(and unless you live in the 'states, it's "compost, not soil" - http://www.uk420.com/boards/index.php?show...hl=compost+soil

Dilute compost with perlite and you end up with bad hydroponics.