Perlite. Where to get?

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adri123

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Perlite. Where to get?
« on: January 03, 2015, 21:24 »
Hi.

On one of the gardening blogs I read I notice that the soil in the raised beds has had about 20% perlite added to aid rooting.  Thinking of buying some but B&Q only do small bags.  Is it or was it not used for insulation at one time and sold in big bulk bags?  Might be a cheaper option.

If anyone knows where to get at a decent price I'd be interested.

TIA

Adri

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Beetroot Queen

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2015, 21:46 »
I thought perlite was a 1980's toothpaste. LOL I take it its not.

Time for BQ's bed I think.

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BabbyAnn

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2015, 22:33 »
I saw ebay sold 100 litres for about £18 including delivery, but it might be worth googling for better options

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Christine

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2015, 07:56 »
Again our local allotment holders association sells it. If you have a good allotment holders association that stocks goodies then you could well join for the benefits.

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Dave NE

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2015, 08:35 »
Sorry, I cant help with perlite but we insulated our chimney/flue with vermiculite last year and we had 3/4 of a bag left over, these are large bags and cost £15 per bag at a local industrial estate so cast your net a bit wider and don't just go for your local diy stores who sell smaller bags at a premium, Dave
Today i will be mainly wearing no trousers

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Kristen

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2015, 11:46 »
I would just use sharp sand, rather than Perlite.  Unless you have a very small bed Perlite (or Vermiculite or the rest) will be expensive.  Also not at all sure about using Multi purpose compost to fill raised beds ... personally I would prefer a soil-based compost, albeit with plenty of multi-purpose compost and sand mixed in perhaps.  For me home made compost and manure would do just fine, along with soil and sand it drainage was an issue (usually not in raised beds, as one of the reasons for creating raised beds on clay is to assist drainage).

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Yorkie

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2015, 11:59 »
Sorry, I cant help with perlite but we insulated our chimney/flue with vermiculite last year and we had 3/4 of a bag left over, these are large bags and cost £15 per bag at a local industrial estate so cast your net a bit wider and don't just go for your local diy stores who sell smaller bags at a premium, Dave

Are you sure it is horticultural grade perlite - i.e. suitable for use in growing crops?
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days all attack me at once...

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Kristen

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2015, 12:15 »
Are you sure it is horticultural grade perlite - i.e. suitable for use in growing crops?

Ignorant question, but is there a difference?

I buy graded Perlite, but only because I want a particle size suitable for propagation and potting on. I bought Hydroponic Perlite once without giving a thought to the fact that it would be coarse, and wasn't suitable for potting on! but for a raised bed I wouldn't think that would matter much?

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Yorkie

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2015, 12:51 »
I don't know for sure whether there is a difference - as it's being bought from an industrial supplier for different purposes, I was just flagging up that this should be checked out.

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Yorkie

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #9 on: January 04, 2015, 12:52 »
I don't know for sure whether there is a difference - as it's being bought from an industrial supplier for different purposes, I was just flagging up that this should be checked out in case it had been treated for other purposes etc.
« Last Edit: January 04, 2015, 17:21 by Yorkie »

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Dave NE

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #10 on: January 04, 2015, 17:24 »
I would have thought that it should be ok for garden use as it is heat treated in its making, anyway, I have some and will make my own mix with it, its supposed to be good for water/nutrient retention, Dave

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brianc

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #11 on: January 06, 2015, 22:44 »
Hi Adri
         Perlite is alright to use the only problem with it is so light it rises to the surface after heavy rain.

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Steveharford

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Re: Perlite. Where to get?
« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2015, 06:41 »
I bought some yesterday to go between a flue liner and the flue brickwork. Local builders merchant £18 per big bag. It even says on the side suitable for garden use. The grains are bigger than the usual garden centre stuff but that would be better for lightening up an outside bed, I would have thought.



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