Quote:
Originally Posted by subsonicdrone
whats the deal with perlite?
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I admit that my reasons for disliking perlite are flimsy:
1. I prefer rice hulls because, unlike perlite, rice hulls are a source of soluble silicate. Musa are silicate accumulators.
2. In my experience, white mealy bugs camouflage themselves as perlite particles that have splashed onto the bottoms of lower leaves. I even suspect that they evolved this trait on plants potted with perlite. White mealy bug are easy to spot when you don't use perlite.
3. There is some debate about phytotoxic levels of fluoride in perlite:
AN ARTICLE ON PERLITE, FLUORIDE, AND FLORICULTURAL CROPS---The Schundler Company
Enough for a pessimist, like me, to worry about.