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aruzinsky · 02-22-2017, 10:55 AM

I use Riceland parboiled rice hulls (PBH) as a substitute for perlite. For most potted plants, I use 1/3 PBH plus 2/3 peat moss. An advantage or PBH over perlite is that PBH supplies slowly soluble silicate. Musa are silicate accumulators, e.g., see Effects, distribution and uptake of silicon in banana ( Musa spp.) under controlled conditions | Xavier Draye - Academia.edu. Silicate may increase disease and insect resistance. A disadvantage of PBH is that it biodegrades at about the same rate as peat moss.

02-22-2017, 10:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
aruzinsky Location: IL Find me on the map! Zone: 6a (10 miles east of 5b) Name: Steve Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 498 BananaBucks : 160,838 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 15 Times Was Thanked 784 Times in 316 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: Rice hulls as soil amendment I use Riceland parboiled rice hulls (PBH) as a substitute for perlite. For most potted plants, I use 1/3 PBH plus 2/3 peat moss. An advantage or PBH over perlite is that PBH supplies slowly soluble silicate. Musa are silicate accumulators, e.g., see Effects, distribution and uptake of silicon in banana ( Musa spp.) under controlled conditions \| Xavier Draye - Academia.edu. Silicate may increase disease and insect resistance. A disadvantage of PBH is that it biodegrades at about the same rate as peat moss.