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Sand or perlite?

Is perlite a suitable replacement for sand in CP mixes? The sand I get are usually unwashed, and it's quite a hassle to get it cleaned, so I was wondering if perlite is a suitable replacement, thanks.
 
Yes, but rinse your perlite, too! I use it all the time, with peat moss for most things, and in my Nepenthes mix, which has mostly lfs and some orchid bark, perlite, pumice, charcoal, and a pinch of peat.

Capslock
 
If you use perlite, make sure you check the ingredients. Don't use miracle gro brand!! It has their evil plant food in it, Poison! I used sand and sphagnum peat once with a sarr. and it died. I think perlite would work much better.
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droseradude, I made the same mistake in April with a bag of Miracle Gro Peat Moss. I darn near killed a S. tarnok and a vft. Check the label!!!

Capslock
 
yah , whatever you do , make sure its the pure sutff not that crap that has fertilizers and water holding chemicals added . sand and perlite are the 2 most used additives to spahgnum so there no real substitutes but i hear that sand is hard to find and when it is found you have to make sure you got the right type . i don't rinse any of my soils and my cos seem to be ok with it so rinsing them is an option .
 
someday in the enar future i wish that if they can make already to use orchid miz and african violet soil then why can't they make a soil espeiclally for cos that can be sold anywhere , would'nt life be easier .
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