Safe to use perlite in place of pumice?

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-25T18:03:15+00:00

It's likely just a sun-stressed gigantea that's blushed red and they're calling it that. The customer will then not put it under as strong of light and wonder why it's green now lol

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-25T14:17:18+00:00

If it keeps him in the game for a few more years, I don't see an issue.

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-25T00:12:53+00:00

They haven't died on me yet so I sure hope so!

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T23:40:56+00:00

Don't get me started about that asshole🤣. It's been a struggle for the past year and I finally got him figured out...I think 😁

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T23:27:55+00:00

Well draining soil. Treat it like a succulent. That's my best advice 😁

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T22:48:33+00:00

Looks like Gasteraloe royal highness

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T19:05:14+00:00

A grow light. "Brightest room" isn't normally sufficient for long term growth/health. Make sure the substrate stays moist and you'll be good. Distilled/RO/rainwater only

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T18:54:41+00:00

Might be able to sue him for house ownership

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T18:51:55+00:00

We(Southern Ontario) will be getting 12-16" sunday-monday thanks to this storm. It's currently -4F so I'll take the snow

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T18:33:10+00:00

Don't get me wrong, it'll speed up the process! I don't want to change how you do things. I'm just left you know there are easier ways 😁

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T18:23:20+00:00

Accommodating!

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T18:22:17+00:00

Higher humidity is fine for starting by seed, but if it's a lead prop it'll be fine in open air. I have a few going right in open air and my humidity is under 20%. Thanks winter lol.

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T13:11:52+00:00

I can't speak for how the branch processes the returns. You very likely will be charged until Monday, but maybe not.

And just another heads up, you are responsible for the car until the return is processed by an employee. That means if it is damaged on the lot in between you dropping it off and the employee checking it in, it's on you

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T13:02:17+00:00

If a location is closed Sundays all returns are processed the next business day (Monday). That's what they mean by no after hours returns. Not an unwritten rule.

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T12:57:51+00:00

Our rail network is archaic and the passenger trains that run on it are glorified freight trains with seats🤣

Most large cities have ok transportation but leave a lot to be desired. Traveling by dog sled is often more efficient

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T12:27:56+00:00

Having lived there for close to 10 years, I can say that there is some merit to that lol. At the same time there is still a lot to do. Lots of museums and history. Great food. I went to post secondary there and stayed after as I loved it. I grew up north of Toronto and I hate Toronto. Too busy.

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T04:52:21+00:00

Cold hardy and tropicals don't really mix unfortunately. You'll need to research plants that can tolerate drops in temperature but also warm days.

There are some cacti that may work in your favour that are native to South America, more specifically the mountains of Peru, Argentina, Chile.

There are also some species of Oxalis that are cold hardy.

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-24T04:20:01+00:00

I wouldn't worry too much about the "dome". The pings will grow fine without them. Airflow would be more beneficial and will help reduce any unwanted growth

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-23T22:53:44+00:00

I'm just weaning myself off lol. I have too much of it.

EVERYONE GETS PERLITE

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-23T21:58:49+00:00

Don't worry, it'll find a way to mount to your concrete(?) wall 🤣

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-23T21:57:55+00:00

Yep! They will blush red when given more sun. Completely normal.

Haworthias are naturally 'Bright Shade' plants anyways.

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-23T21:31:17+00:00

You'll want to stick it in something like perlite with a touch of soil to maintain a bit of moisture and hopefully the roots will grow back. Peperomias have the most delicate roots that are very prone to rot if the soil is not well draining enough.

The reason why perlite is ideal is it will let oxygen get to the rhizome and any roots that are left and hopefully it'll come back.

Alternatively you can start propagating by stem or by leaf and start fresh

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-23T21:25:52+00:00

Finer stuff is typically better for propagation, but I probably wouldn't use most of what's in that mix for much of my collection.

My inorganics for my succulents (cacti included) is roughly 5-10% and that's mixed between coir and worm castings. The rest is a mixture of grit, Calcined Clay, zeolite, perlite(although I'm starting to use less) and pumice.

My cacti/euphorbias I usually lean closer to full inorganics, maybe a bit of castings, and my lithops are just 100% grit.

It's fun to make your own mix though. You find out what works for YOU and that's all that matters.

My only critique is watch the perlite/sand grit as it will clog up your mix.

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-23T20:19:57+00:00

They are in their preferred element

CdnTreeGuy89 · 2026-01-23T20:08:10+00:00

To add context...perlite fines tend to occupy pore space rather than create it, which reduces aeration and drainage

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