It looks like there are little white Styrofoam balls in the potting soil. But what are these lumps really and what purpose do they serve? Find out and why they are actually a sign of high quality potting soil.
What are the white lumps in the potting soil?
The small white clumps in the potting soil arePerliteThey are puffed volcanic rock and not plastic. In fact, they are animportant water reservoir and thereby support the plant for he althy growth. This means that they are even an indication of high-quality potting soil.
How are the white lumps in potting soil made?
Perlite is a rock and is mainly mined in Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. The lava rock isfired at 800 to 1200 degrees Celsius The water contained inside evaporates explosively so that it pops up, like a kernel of corn into popcorn. The resulting expanded perlite has a porous structure and increases its volume tenfold. It consists of almost 95% pores in which it can store water and ensure good aeration in the potting soil.
What are the benefits of the white lumps in the potting soil?
Perlite are real miracle beads:
- They store up to 45% water and release it to plants when needed.
- How to protect root balls from waterlogging.
- This makes them a more sustainable alternative to peat.
- Their porous structure ensures good ventilation in the substrate.
- In addition, their structure gives the earth stability.
- In addition, perlite as a rock rots very poorly and is therefore dimensionally stable for a very long time and is of long-term use.
- Last but not least, expanded perlite is sterile and can reduce the risk of infection caused by germs.
Which plants benefit from the white clumps in potting soil?
Especially plants such asCuttings and herbs, whose roots are sensitive to waterlogging, must be protected from excess moisture. Therefore, the small stones are increasingly found in growing and herb soil. They also give the soil stability so that the fine, young roots find the necessary support.
But alsocacti are happy about the water storage because they work similarly to expanded clay.
Tip
How to distinguish perlite from Styrofoam, mold and limescale deposits
You can recognize perlite because it is distributed throughout the earth. Mold and limescale deposits are only visible on the surface. Mold is fluffy and soft and lime is crusty and hard. In contrast to the small, hard, white beads of pearlite, Styrofoam is soft and can be easily crushed with your fingernail.
