Thank you so much!

I'll look into grit.

Also, I've got a mix called HPB which is crushed limestone. Fairly small sized. Do you know or anyone reading this know if that's ok?

As far as I know, that I've researched it doesn't have salt in it that may harm plants.

:)

If I recall correctly, we discussed limestone a time or two before. The consensus is that it is too alkaline for anything more than a minor component of gritty mix. Most of us use granite grit because it is inert.

Hopefully those who know will chime in!

Thank you :) I didn't do a search here and I just recently joined the forum.

I didn't do a search, either! LOL

Agree with Crenda...I don't think I suggested salt at all as found in grit.

Oh.. just went back to read my comment. The salt part was actually a continuation of asking about limestone and if anyone knows if it was ok and if there's a salt content to it.

Im not sure why the spacing was so far apart.

I think bc I pressed return button. Sorry..

np...salt is not good for plants. I wouldn't use anything that contains salt.

I really don't know why everyone is up in arms against perlite... When I water, I have no floating whatsoever. It is also MUCH easier to find than pumice. Well, if you end up needing to get perlite, make sure you screen it well. (Oh, and perlite is super cheap!)

Where do you buy perlite that does not float?

Home depot. It's all the rage these days :D

I agree about perlite, don't get the 'hate' for it. Yes, it is light. It may float. By the time it 'migrates' to the top, it is time to repot most likely. It does work very well, especially if pumice is not available. I use it a lot, buy big bags of it. I use only grit and perlite, with some turface. Great mix, drains well. If one doesn't like look of perlite, there is grit or rocks of any size & shape for topdressing...I use perlite for succulents and non-succulent plants. Sift or rinse it.

Go to Sharpe's Feed Store in Moffat (or other feed store locations) for grit. It's around $10 for 25kg. You won't find anything cheaper.

If you want pumice then you can get Lechuza Pon from Holland Park in Burlington or by mail order. Not pure pumice, but a combination. General Pumice Products in California may ship to Canada now, but I haven't asked in a year or more.

Haven't found any good places with pumice of the correct size other than that.

Don't get HPB because of the limestone. Almost everything suitable size from aggregate/landscape suppliers in the GTA have far too much limestone from up north.

I looked into sharpe's, bit out of way for now, but will keep in mind.

ah.. Holland Park...stopped by there once, not long enough... ;)

About HPB I've already got it, but will use it for something else. Didn't know about the limestone until after (shrug)

Thanks for your feedback! :)

Honestly don't bother going to any garden centers, landscape stores, or aggregate suppliers looking for grit or similar substrate of the right size. Probably went to 30 of them from Hamilton to Markham to Ajax and never found a darn thing.

If you want cheap pavers though... hah.

I've just used perlite for propagatingheaps of plantlets, leaves and the tiny rosettes that grow around some plants. It was a learning curve for sure.

I sifted first, no tiny pieces but there was lots of dust. Won't do that inside again! Lol.

Then put the perlite in the pot, ok. Anything that just lay on top was fine, but any upright, and/or rooted plants were an absolute pain. I couldn't dig a hole because the very light perlite would fill it as I dug it. I didn'tfind a solution but they are all in, probably some with damaged roots. So I've left what I can unwatered, started droplet watering last night on a couple of tiny sedums that were shrivelling. One will probably die, the other has picked up nicely. This afternoon I've watered the other tiny ones and will watch the others.

I forgot the perlite can be rinsed, easier to manage(?) plus no dust. Haven't tried it yet.

Also, I went to a paving/brick place coz they let us grab a bag and get whatever rocks, stones, pebbles, soil and more for about $9AU a bag.

I'm thinking of buying some tiny broken up white marble which would look lovely as top dressing, hold the perlite down from wind, floating etc and I assume wouldn't leach out anything.

Commentscould be very helpful on any of my 2 posts. Thankyou :))

As an experiment, I went to the first landscape place I passed one weekend and asked for 1/8 inch granite. He says "how many tons do you need?". I ran away.

Lol and again! I went there years ago with my big strong son. Bigger bags and only $5 a bag. We got quite a variety, but then I had to sort it lol. This time I'm taking small bags to put in the big bag

Helen - I also use perlite for rooting and growing cuttings. My roof is too hot and dry to root/grow cuttings well in my normal gritty mix.

It's cheap and convenient. Just I need to remember to not wait too long to switch mixes otherwise the perlite is difficult to separate from the roots (for succulents with fine roots).

Thanks for that mayo or ew. Useful info to remember. I was wondering how long to leave them growing. Like until they are strong and healthy, or when they outgrow their small pots. Strong and healthy will do it.

Strong and healthy is better to repot if using perlite and switching mixes. If they outgrow their pots there should be a lot of roots and the job will be more difficult.

Yes that's what I'm thinking too :)