Seedling Mix focuses on providing the ideal environment for delicate seedlings. Typical components of seedling mix include peat moss or coconut coir, perlite or vermiculite, and a small amount of compost. These ingredients create a well-aerated, moisture-retentive, and sterile growing medium to promote root growth to reduce the risk of disease due to a better growing environment as well.
Perlite is a naturally occurring mineral in the form of amorphous volcanic glass, although it’s often confused by new gardeners as Styrofoam. Perlite doesn’t retain water well which means that it will dry out quickly between watering’s if used alone. Therefore, perlite is commonly used with Vermiculite (a 50/50 mix) to create the perfect balance of oxygen and moisture for your plant’s roots. It is mainly added into grow medium to enhance drainage and aeration. Perlite is non-toxic, PH neutral, clean, disease-free, extremely lightweight and easy to work with.