Perlite! Pearlite! Rah! Rah! Rah!
© a.k.a. MBR
Perlite is a naturally occurring silicous volcanic rock that appears sround the world in its raw ore state as being gray-black, but when it is quickly heated above 870 degrees Centigrade, it puffs up like popcorn and appears white.
The puffing expansion process causes the creation of a huge internal surface area of intertwining glass shards that allow for the respectively large water and air holding capabilities of the substrate. The increased volume to mass ratio also makes perlite very lightweight and easy to use. The light weight can cause difficulties in stabilizing larger plants, but this is usually overcome simply by using strings or netting attached to structural supports.
This "organic" glass media has excellent water and air holding characteristics, along with being physically durable and stable, and chemically inert and neutral as well.
Many people prefer the air to water holding capabilities of perlite over other substances because the balanced air to water ratio present in perlite can reduce the chances of over or under watering due to the fact that it provides both excellent drainage and capillary action when water is applied.
Perlite is also very clean and sterile when purchased because of the physical processing it endures which can reduce the possibility of fungal or bacterial infestation occurring.
Try doing a search for "Perlite" in one of your favorite search engines for more information.
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