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

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.

Alex · 04-12-2009, 02:01 PM

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.

04-12-2009, 10:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
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04-12-2009, 11:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
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04-12-2009, 01:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chironex The causasian Asian! Chironex's Photo Gallery Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Find me on the map! Zone: I have no idea Name: Scot Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2,788 BananaBucks : 151,903 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 4,544 Times Was Thanked 1,406 Times in 808 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 609 Times	Re: how much perlite and where? 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. __________________ Scot

04-12-2009, 02:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
Alex Alex's Photo Gallery Location: Tucson, AZ Find me on the map! Zone: 9-10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 35 BananaBucks : 4,749 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 7 Times Was Thanked 41 Times in 21 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 20 Times	Re: how much perlite and where? 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.

04-13-2009, 11:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
Patty in Wisc tropical nut Patty in Wisc's Photo Gallery Zone: 5 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 3,115 BananaBucks : 389,330 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,946 Times Was Thanked 2,510 Times in 1,203 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 69 Times	Re: how much perlite and where? 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. __________________ Got a lite? Patty ____ Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

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04-13-2009, 11:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Michael_Andrew Michael_Andrew's Photo Gallery Location: Toledo, Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: Michael Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 517 BananaBucks : 76,475 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 248 Times Was Thanked 384 Times in 182 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 226 Times	Re: how much perlite and where? 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

04-13-2009, 12:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
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04-13-2009, 03:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
saltydad saltydad's Photo Gallery Location: Silver Spring, Maryland USA Find me on the map! Zone: 7a Name: Howard Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4,552 BananaBucks : 243,635 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 14,712 Times Was Thanked 4,662 Times in 1,778 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 824 Times	Re: how much perlite and where? 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. __________________ Men In Nursing- "A Few Good Men" "Gardening is the purest of human pleasures." - Francis Bacon "If by a liberal, they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind; someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions; someone who cares about the welfare of the people, their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties; someone who believes we can break through the stalemate and suspicion that grips us; that is what they meant by a liberal, I am proud to be a liberal." John F. Kennedy, September, 1960 http://flickr.com/photos/saltydad/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/saltydad http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx151/saltydad/

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