Why put perlite in coco?

[Budgie]

Often bugged me this but why bother putting perlite or even clay balls in your coco or pay a premium for it ready-mixed ?

What does it give you that coco doesn't already?

[seymore_budz]

Depends on the application. If you're using an automated setup like a Wilma or Autopot then it provides a little more aeration as straight coco can stay pretty soggy and end up rotting stems etc.

[Budgie]

Thanks, I Never considered autopots, rare as they are @seymore_budz

Be better off with an inch of gravel in the bottom of the autopot surely.

Coco is pretty hydrophobic and naturally aerated already....

[seymore_budz]

Thanks, I Never considered autopots, rare as they are @seymore_budz

Be better off with an inch of gravel in the bottom of the autopot surely.

Coco is pretty hydrophobic and naturally aerated already....

I wouldn't say it was hydrophobic. It actually can hold onto a surprising amount of water. The trouble is with stones in an autopot is they wouldn't wick up the water fast enough. Without anything when using autopot or some dripper systems I find that the coco becomes oversaturated and cannabis in particular really doesn't like it too much.

[GMO]

yeah, aid root growth earlier on and having a layer of gravel or whatever doesnt aid in drainage or aeration, it just reduces the volume of water holding media. you get whats called a perched water table when there is a complete change in the media. fairly recent myth busted but the advice was given in most gardening areas over the years so will many more years for people to stop giving this advice

[Captain Beefheart]

why add perlite to coco,theres only 2 reasons 1 is for added air pockets created within the medium helps the roots no end...2 is drainage i find straight coco a tad heavy once soden,perlite helps break the coco up a tad giving the roots a better start + in general healthy dope. running soiless i go with 40/30/30 mix thats 40% husk....30% perlite...30% vermiculite. i find this as fast a growing medium as NFT but hand watering can be 4 x times daily for a standard 11 litre pot.

[2-Scoops]

Cuts down on the soggy rootage effect and lets coco dry out much quicker, so i would presume if coco is drying out faster then theirs gonna be more air in my medium around my roots (my spidey senses tells me this). I use a 70/30 coco/perlite mix. I water plants every 2 days growing in 12 liter pots with a 70/30mix or every 3 days growing straight in coco only like i am atmo.

[ohlordyeah_420]

Same as 2 scoops. Always gone for 30% perlite in my coco. Tend not to put it in the smaller pots but once I pot up to my hempys its 70/30