Home | Community | Message Board

Kratom Eye
This site includes paid links. Please support our sponsors.


Welcome to the Shroomery Message Board! You are experiencing a small sample of what the site has to offer. Please login or register to post messages and view our exclusive members-only content. You'll gain access to additional forums, file attachments, board customizations, encrypted private messages, and much more!

Shop: North Spore Bulk Substrate   MagicBag.co Certified Organic All-In-One Grow Bags   Sporeworks.EU Spores for European Microscopy   Mushroom-Hut Substrate Mix   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   Myyco.com Golden Teacher Liquid Culture For Sale

Jump to first unread post Pages: 1
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
Too much perlite.. really?
    #8994760 -

Hi all,

Im seeking a second opinion on something that seems relatively simple.  My fruiting chambers are the huge XL size rubbermaids.  They are long and tall.  I soaked the perlite for quite awhile and then placed it into the shotgun FCs (aforementioned rubbermaids) - lots of whole drilled.  I used around 6 inches of perlite.

A known and respected cultivator said that I have too much perlite.  Some of you might remember a thread I posted a few days ago asking if one could have too much humidity (the answer appeared to be a definitive, no you cannot have too much humidity).  So, before I go deal with removing the messy perlite, I really want to make sure the science is sound.  Frankly, it doesnt strike me as sound.

The advice was to take the perlite down to 2 inches.  The reason was that "the humidity will get trapped in the interior of the perlite".  To me that doesnt make a lot of sense.  Ive been misting (well, spraying - quite heavily) the top layer of the perlite every day to make sure it isnt losing moisture (and my shotgun does indeed have holes on the bottom).  Is the extra perlite really trapping moisture or not?  I would think the more perlite the more moisture - as long as it isnt PACKED down. It is about surface area.  Now, of course one can say that I wasted perlite (5 dollars worth) - but that isnt my question.

Should I drop the level of perlite?  If so, why?

Thanks,
a

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? *DELETED* [Re: anevsky]
    #8994783 -

Post deleted by MisterMuscaria

Reason for deletion: .


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: anevsky]
    #8994788 -

No. Six inches is good. :thumbup: Water evaporates. The only way to stop it, is with some kind of vapor PROOF covering.


--------------------
Question: Why do women wear make-up and perfume? 
Answer: Because they're ugly and they stink.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: anevsky]
    #8994796 -

From what i've read, 5 inches is the norm. That's what I have in my large fc and even with that I've had to cover many holes to maintain rh above 90. I started with 3 inches and adding more didn'tmake much difference for me but the rh went up slightly. I think my problem though is low rh outside the fc. It's at least slightly different for each of us depending on external conditions.

I've since added a reptile fogger to maintain high humidity.


--------------------
hehe

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: BrandNewbie]
    #8994801 -

plexiglass, plastic film, glass, per-lite, sheet metal.

One of these things is not like the other, now it's time to play our game...


--------------------
Question: Why do women wear make-up and perfume? 
Answer: Because they're ugly and they stink.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: anevsky]
    #8994812 -

If you're losing humidity, it definitely isn't because you have too much perlite especially if you're using tubs as big as you are. Which brings up a question. Why such big tubs for brf/verm cakes?


--------------------

Quick WBS Prep

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: MisterMuscaria]
    #8994813 -

Okay, so now it is a real debate it looks like..

First answer, no cakes.  Trays.  Half cased (RR's peet/verm/gypsum/lime recipe), half not.  WBS->Manure/Straw.  I don't have humidity problems - pegged at 99%. I was describing a setup when this trusted cultivator said it was too much.

1. We are in agreement that RH cannot be too high except in super-saturated situations where the water actually condenses on trays, cakes, etc.  That would be a problem with an overly humidified martha, but not a shotgun.

2. The purpose of perlite is to retain water in each little piece of perlite.  The surface area of the perlite along with the amount of FAE will create the desired humidity.

So, please folk, help me (and others out here) - yes, I may have wasted perlite (I'll plead guilty to it) but honestly if you say it is too much, tell me why - using something akin to science.

Thanks,
a

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: anevsky]
    #8994847 -

I say run your own experiment and make a few with different levels. SG works great for some and not at all for other (me unfortunately). As I understand, the rh outside the tub plays a fair role. Like me in AZ where rh is below 20 most of the year and others in FL where rh is probably 50+ most of the time changes everything.


--------------------
hehe

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: nenl]
    #8994853 -

Too late for an experiment.  Where I live we have a natural 65-60% RH.  So, I'm not concerned about it too much.  I'm just curious to know what some more experienced cultivators think about the question.

Thanks,
a

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: nenl]
    #8994865 -

nenl said:
I say run your own experiment and make a few with different levels. SG works great for some and not at all for other (me unfortunately). As I understand, the rh outside the tub plays a fair role. Like me in AZ where rh is below 20 most of the year and others in FL where rh is probably 50+ most of the time changes everything.



I'm out here in the AZ desert too. I wish I could get a handle on an outdoor grow. It's so damned dry though!


--------------------
Question: Why do women wear make-up and perfume? 
Answer: Because they're ugly and they stink.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: anevsky]
    #8994880 -

I used to use about 2-3 inches of perlite for cakes.  Dude that is way to much perlite.  Kidding,:tongue: I am of the opinion that you would be hard pressed to use too much.  However you may have not needed that much to produce the desired effect.  Either way if you are getting freshies then you are doing something right.:thumbup:


--------------------
KRAMER CAKES



Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: BrandNewbie]
    #8994887 -

i would do a dulk grow with those sized tubs look up
orissa India bulk grow tub tek in the search.
i am using something like that now(smaller tubs 40 gal)


--------------------
AMU

Best Thread Ever
CapZilla said:
not sure what GE and FAE are but i should probably get some.

Citric said:
Your signature is wrong on colonization temps!

GOOD JUDGMENT COMES FROM EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE COMES FROM BAD JUDGMENT

ROOM TEMP 70-75 IS BEST FOR COLONIZATION
Thank you mycochef

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? *DELETED* *DELETED* [Re: BrandNewbie] * 1
    #8994898 -

Post deleted by Cultivate

Reason for deletion: .


Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: Cultivate]
    #8995347 -

I use about 5 iches, and it's been fine. I think there must be sufficient airflow, because by the end off all the flushes its dried out quite a bit.

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: phaseflux]
    #8995499 -

AFOAF has  like 4 - 5 inches in their "shotgun" (its got 2 holes...not much of a shotgun)


--------------------
chris606 said:
some 1 told me to try long brown rice and water and vermiculite and pressure cook for 1 hour i did but nothing happen that is y was wonting to no if i need spores

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: gompers]
    #8995928 -

Quote:
The advice was to take the perlite down to 2 inches.



Bad advice.  I recommend 5 inches, but that doesn't mean that six inches is bad.  In fact, using more will let you go longer without having to replenish the moisture in the perlite.

Another trick is to rake the perlite with your fingers every week or two to fluff it up.  This will free up more surface area to evaporate moisture.

99% humidity is perfect.  Don't let anyone tell you to fix what obviously isn't broken.
RR


--------------------
Download Let's Grow Mushrooms



semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat

"I've never had a failed experiment.  I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work."
Thomas Edison

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Re: Too much perlite.. really? [Re: george castanza]
    #8997206 -

if your interested in the sciency bit, click the shotgun fc link in my signiture.


--------------------

PF TEK - writeup by EvilMushroom666
Lets Grow Mushrooms - RogerRabbit & RoadKills website with sample videos plus the full PF TEK video series. Alot of great information - BUY THE DVD
Cakes can and will pin! - So you think cakes suck for pins. Your wrong
Franks Simple Coir/Verm Tek
Franks Proper Pasturisation Tek
Franks Spawning To Bulk - Monotub
Professor Pinheads RTV Injection Port Tek
Foo Mans No Soak WBS Prep Tek

Extras: Filter Print Post Top
Jump to top Pages: 1

Shop: North Spore Bulk Substrate   MagicBag.co Certified Organic All-In-One Grow Bags   Sporeworks.EU Spores for European Microscopy   Mushroom-Hut Substrate Mix   Original Sensible Seeds Bulk Cannabis Seeds   Myyco.com Golden Teacher Liquid Culture For Sale


Similar ThreadsPosterViewsRepliesLast post
* I just bought perlite and higher rubbermaids! LSAuser 1,746 11 10/31/02 01:52 PM
by Skikid16
* Bad perlite? soko 916 6 10/14/03 08:45 PM
by micro
* rubbermaid Anonymous 817 7 02/07/03 09:31 AM
by BladeLSD
* Black dots on perlite? DiarYofaMadmaN 1,292 6 03/15/03 01:32 AM
by DiarYofaMadmaN
* Rubbermaid Growing Chamber... drunkgoat 2,368 8 08/29/01 07:32 AM
by isis
* hydroton or perlite? will fans get mushrooms cracker dry? cheap hepa filters? ravin0ff 2,198 5 01/13/05 07:55 PM
by frock
* Perlite Problems hyper_dermic 1,574 6 09/23/02 10:56 PM
by matts
* Where to find clear lids for rubbermaid terrarium
( 1 2 all )
infinite420 3,790 22 05/05/04 08:55 PM
by DoctorJ

Extra information
You cannot start new topics / You cannot reply to topics
HTML is disabled / BBCode is enabled
Moderator: Shroomism, george castanza, RogerRabbit, veggie, mushboy, fahtster, the_chosen_one, LogicaL Chaos, 13shrooms, hamloaf, cronicr, Stipe-n Cap, Pastywhyte, bodhisatta, Tormato, Land Trout, A.k.a
5,175 topic views. 19 members, 1,716 guests and 116 web crawlers are browsing this forum.
[ Show Images Only | Sort by Score | Print Topic ]
Search this thread:

Copyright 1997-2026 Mind Media. Some rights reserved.

Generated in 0.028 seconds spending 0.007 seconds on 14 queries.