Vermiculite and perlite in soil mix

[Treevly]

For those who use one or the other or both in outdoor holes, how much of each do you use in the mix? I'm in a new location with soil which may or may not be in a normal moisture range by summer, so I'm debating adding some of each. However, I don't want to add so much as to have a problem by making the mix too wet or dry, depending on weather.

 

['Boogieman']

I add about 20% perlite and 10% vermiculite.

 

[3snowboards]

If you are growing guerilla then beware
Perlite vermiculite both tend to rise to the surface after time

 

[Treevly]

My concern is really mostly about vermiculite, which holds water. The Great Lakes region is forecast to have above average rainfall this summer, so I am tempted to forego vermiculite and just use perlite. On the other hand, if it is a normal summer as regards precipitation, vermiculite may save my from having to water so much. However, you can't have your cake and eat it too, as they say, so I think that I will use a minimal amount of vermiculite, perhaps 5% or less. Watering when necessary is a lot easier than unwatering.

 

[aridbud]

You can use sand if soil isn't clay based. That would create adobe bricks!

 

[wvkindbud38]

It really depends on how often you wanna water her. If your not gonna visit them very often I wouldn't put over 20%perlite, . I put about 30% perlite in my outdoor containers and no vermiculite. I don't really put much in my guerilla site. But I'll add some perlite to the Promix I put in my holes. Ive got the BX and like to have the HP

 

[Treevly]

Gads, I've got a good, lightish black earth, HP, peat moss, a little Pro Mix Cactus Mix, perlite, compost with castings....... I think I will forgo the vermiculite. The Great Lakes area is forecast to have a wet summer this year, above average rainfall amounts. It's possible to water them if they get dry, but not unwater them if they're wet. I suppose that decides it.