Application and Characteristics of Horticultural Perlite in Flower Planting

　　The characteristics of horticultural perlite products are as follows: good air permeability and moderate water content. When perlite is irrigated, most of the water remains on the surface, and it is easy to flow because of the low water tension. Therefore, perlite is easy to drain and ventilate. Although the water absorption of perlite is not as good as that of vermiculite, in the case of water in the lower layer, perlite can inhale water from the lower layer into the whole basin through the transmission of water between particles, and maintain considerable permeability. Its water content can fully meet the needs of plant root life. Therefore, pearlite is better than vermiculite in the cultivation of flowers with strict water-gas ratio. Especially in the cultivation of some acidic southern flowers, perlite can better reflect its advantages.

　　The second characteristic of horticultural perlite products is that the acidity and alkalinity of chemically stable perlite are (PH7.5-7.0). Perlite contains a few chemical elements, but most of them can not be directly absorbed by plant roots. Its acidity and alkalinity are higher than vermiculite, which is one of the reasons why it is suitable for planting acid-loving flowers in the south.

　　The characteristics of horticultural perlite products are as follows: it can be used as soilless culture medium alone or mixed with peat and vermiculite.