FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

Hi Folks:

I am expecting my some VFT's this weekend or the beginning of next week.

I have a question about Perlite: I did a search and 'Miracle Grow" products are frowned upon here because of the added fertilizers.

The only brand of perlite I can find is Miracle Grow. I can't tell from my research if it is just pure perlite or not. Does anyone know? (I already found a different/better brand of Sphagnum Peat Moss already).

Matthew

Don't use it. More sand is better instead.

Do not use Miracle Grow. You're better off putting your Fly Traps in 100% peat, which I don't recommend either... If I were you, I'd go to a close lumberyard and ask if they have any silica sand. It's very cheap, 4 dollars for a 50 lb bag, and it lasts awhile. If you're stuck with nothing, try http://www.flytrapcare.com/store/growin ... edium.html when it's in stock...

Thank you for the advise dantt99 and Adam. I'll get some good sand if I can't find any good perlite before the order of VFT's arrive.

I see one place on amazon.com that I could order 100% perlite from ( http://www.amazon.com/Espoma-PR8-ORGANI ... 06&sr=8-4) and could have it shipped overnight.

I would like to mix 50/50 (peat/perlite). I should be receiving about 12 VFT's and 4 Sundews. How many plants would this bag be good for? (I'm guessing that depending upon the size pots I put them in, this 8 quart bag plus 50% sphagnum moss would be enough right?

Yes you can use it. People just say you can't because they've used their pear which indeed does have a large amount of fertilizer in it. The perlite does have it in it too. A very small amount though, it's less than a tenth. You should always wash your perlite until it runs clean and that should get the fertilizer off too. The amount is so small it won't even hurt your plants. I have tried it on a few of my Dionaea, Sarracenia, Drosera, Nepethes, Cephalotus, and Heliamphora with no bad results. Who knows that little amount may make them grow faster. I usually grow my plants in pure peat though. Also I want to know how many people that say don't use Miracle Gro perlite have actually tried the perlite.

I've used it. I was under the impression that perlite was for drainage, pure and simple. Miracle gro puts that fertilizer thing on everything, but I don't see how perlite can "hold" ferlitilizer. Jamez is right. I'd rinse it if you want. But it's probably ok.
Btw, pure peat is usually fine for venus fly traps. Mine grow and flower in it excellently. But you can use some sand if you want and don't want to try the perlite.

The last 2 posts are encouraging because I have A LOT of perlite from miraclegro just sitting around. Ill be sure to wash them out until they run dry.. just got some plants 2 weeks ago in a 4inch container.. think I'm gonna re-pot soon.

Put it an a bucket, swish it and drain. You don't want to dissolve the perlite, it could get too fine.

Any updates on this topic?

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