View Full Version : how much perlite and where?
steven
04-12-2009, 10:56 AM
im growing a banana plant in a container and it seems to be needing perlite so how much and where do i apply it? banana plant is a dwarf cavendish and has yellowish brown tips on leaves
Richard
04-12-2009, 11:11 AM
Here's a general guide ...
PTP_2009_03_Pot_Culture (http://www.plantsthatproduce.com/column/PTP_2009_03_Pot_Culture.htm)
Chironex
04-12-2009, 01:37 PM
10-20% mixed into the soil when you repot. It doesn't need to be exact. As Richard says, river sand is also a good ingredient. I would imagine 10% as well.
I've read in the forum here that about 1/3 the soil can be perlite or vermiculite. I use 1/6 perlite and 1/6 vermiculite (since vermiculite is cheaper here) when I repotted my bananas.
But since the perlite or vermiculite is primarily used for drainage, I'm not sure if it will help your yellowish brown leaf tips - unless of course they are caused by poor drainage.
Patty in Wisc
04-13-2009, 11:30 AM
I like to put more perlite towards the bottom. After awhile, the soil compacts there & may cause root rot. Also, perlite eventually floats up towards the top.
Michael_Andrew
04-13-2009, 11:58 AM
I'm growing out some Ensetes and since they need really good draining media I'm mixing pro-mix and perlite 50/50. I'm with Patty I put some straight perlite in the bottom.
Michael
momoese
04-13-2009, 12:27 PM
I use 50/50 when potting freshly cut pups.
saltydad
04-13-2009, 03:17 PM
I use 1/2 perlite for my plumeria cuttings, and 1/3 for nanas. I put the perlite in first, then the sterile potting mix, them mix by hand. The result is more on the bottom for the same reason offered by Patty and Micheal.
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