I don't know if $50 for a bag is a good price or not. Suppose it depends on how much the 8 quart is and how much is in the $50 bag.

I've seen rice hulls being mentioned more often as a fluff to add to mixes. I know calcinated clay balls can be nice in containers. We had a big ole bag of it that I used a while back. Can't remember where the hubby got it from, it was from when we were doing some hydro tests. But after the tests were done I dumped them in containers till they ran out.

Beeskneeds - Rice hulls. $9.99 for a qt on Amazon - that's just a quick look. Aeration is a listed benefit for it. Thanks.

Exactly Kevin, we do keep buying things that are not priced fairly, but at the same time, sometimes people have you over a barrel. It's the person selling it for unfair prices that is the problem. I try not to buy thing that are not quality and priced fairly, but some weeks it seems like a full time job just to shop. [g]

Thanks, I'll check out Home Depot. If it's two 4cu ft bags than that's $42. for 2cu ft. [No that's $42. for 4cu ft. I've been buying it in 2cu ft bags for $35. So actually, this deal is $21.44 for 2cu ft bags.] That's the lowest I've seen so far. I'll probably use at least half that much this season. But wow, gardening is getting to be quite expensive to do, just like everything else I guess.

Correction pralriemoon2, The price is $85 for TWO 4 cubic ft. bags for a total of 8 cubic ft. So it's $42 bucks for 4 cubic feet. $10.62 for one cubic ft which equals 30 quarts for a total of 240 quarts.

240 quarts will equal 30 of the 8 quart bags. At $6 a bag it would cost $180 so you end up only only paying half what the 8 quart bags would cost you.

I have no issues getting perlite here, as much or as little as I need. And the price is very reasonable - $36.99 for 4 cubic feet (equivalent of 120 quarts).

Pumice is the closest substitute.

Floor-Dri?

Cadence - I just looked that up - that is Diotomaceous earth. Not a product I want to add to my potting soil, but thanks for offering another idea.

Kevin, I must not be focused enough with my shopping. I saw that 4cuft bag for $53. but I did not see the 2 pack for $85. That is less than I was paying before. And I am definitely going to order it, I can get it in 4 days, just in time for the weekend and I'm off and running with getting my plants in my containers. Thank you for your help!

It is important to note that the Miracle Gro brand perlite you find at Home Depot does have some fertilizer added to it already. If one is wanting to be completely organic then it should be avoided, same goes for if one is wanting to use it for carnivorous plants. This is probably why they also sell one labeled as organic, but if one wants perlite without anything added to it then it would be best to look elsewhere rather than pay those crazy prices.

If you can't find a reasonably priced perlite then I second the floor dry or oil dri suggestion. It is heavier but it works.

Rodney

Hi Rodney, I am 100% organic. This isn't Miracle Grow, I don't believe. Here is a link...

Viagrow Horticultural Perlite

This deal works out to be $21.44 for a 2cu ft bag. I've paid $35 for that size 2 years ago, the last time I bought it.

Check your local hydroponic grow store. I know there is a HTG store in Mass but not sure if it's near you. They even have the coarse #3 or #4 stuff that I like to use. big bags and usually for a great price. In fact, the hydroponic grow stores are a treasure trove even if you aren't growing the weed. When weed was legalized here in Colorado it was like happy birthday to us hobby garden and houseplant people. There are so many choices that were not available to us before for media, soils, nutrients.

I got a vigoro 2 Cubic foot bag from home depot for $18 last year and was really please with the quality (chunkier) and price compared to the 8-quart MG ones for $5/6. They are nowhere to be found this year. I just found these for $39 for 4CuFt which seems like a steal now. Amazon.com: PVP Industries PVP105408 120 Quarts – 4 Cubic Foot of Organic Perlite Planting Soil Additive Gi, White : Everything Else

So I ordered the deal for two 4 cu ft bags of perlite from Home Depot. They arrived in a big box the other day. They are big bags of course. And I opened them and they are uniform in size but smaller than I normally see. At first I thought that was not as good as what I've had in the past, but after using it, I think it is fine. Maybe better than fine because of the uniformity of the size. I just use a little bit more than I normally do. I'm happy. I should have a good supply for the next two years.

Nice to here the perlite was good stuff. It's a good deal I think and may order the two bags to have in the future.