Judy asked Annie:
Q I heard you say on one of your episodes that you use perlite in the bottom of your pots. I believe that there are different schools of thought on using perlite in the bottom of pots. What is the advantage to using perlite in the bottom of the pot?
A Judy – this is a great question and I’m glad you asked it!
First – just to clarify: I use coarse perlite in the bottom of the plastic pots you see on my stands. When I am using a self-watering pot (like the one the Big-Box Violet is in) I do not use any perlite in bottom.
Now – to answer you question. :-) I use what is called the Modified Texas Style of potting, and that layer of coarse perlite is part of that potting style. The coarse perlite in the bottom of the pot gives the roots of the plant airspace, which they need in order to grow well. In addition, that layer provides some “insurance” against over-watering. I will explain this style of potting and why I use it, in the next episode of the podcast. :-)
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I wondered if Hoffman’s Horticultural Charcoal would serve the same purpose in the bottom of the pot? (Because I have some (?) and currently only perlite on hand is small bits of Miracle Grow/ with fertilizer.) Also twirling the wick in the bottom seems to be sending all the roots straight to the bottom. Turning some AVs into little bobbleheads.
Trying a few needing repotting with charcoal in bottom and wick up side… to see what happens. Just a few!
RE/?: Not sure how long ago I bought this but bag says “Improves Drainage and Absorbs Harmful Impurities.” So I must have tried this in the past! Wonder how it went :) )
I don’t think it would work the same way as coarse perlite, Laurie.
I’m using lava rock at the bottoms of Oyama pots. It seems to work the same as coarse Perlite, but it is easier to buy in small quantities.
I could see it working as a drainage layer for deep pots as well.