If you go to a garden centre and buy a tomato plant, the soil has these little white balls in it. What is it? I've gotten conflicting information whenever I've asked someone. One person told me it was styrofoam, another said it was gypsum.
2007-06-25 02:05:13 · 7 answers · asked by star_lite57 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
I think it depends on which brand of potting soil was used. Perlite is used in potting soil to improve drainage and aeration. Styrofoam is used as an inexpensive substitute for perlite. Beads of styrofoam help aerate potting mixes and serve as a space filler. Being extremely lightweight, they tend to float to the surface when watered. Also, unlike perlite, styrofoam will compact over time.
2007-06-25 02:42:22 · answer #1 · answered by WildOtter 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I propose you employ a house plant insecticide - they may well be aphids of a few type. If that's a robust sufficient plant, gently wipe the leaves and stems with a susceptible answer of washing up liquid on in simple terms a splash kitchen towel first to get rid of as lots of the little beasts as possible, then spray and bypass away for a on an identical time as. Later, re pot the plant in a sparkling pot with sparkling compost and save a focused eye out for any reappearance. in case you notice from now on, spray back.
2016-10-03 02:34:24 · answer #2 · answered by riedel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perlite and/or vermiculite. Perlite is a naturally occurring type of volcanic rock. It is used to store and hold water as well as provide aeration in potted plants. Not only that, you can start seeds and plant only it perlite. Here is an article on perlite if you are interested. http://www.perlite.dk/using.htm
Vermiculite is a mineral and it is similar to perlite in that it helps with water retention and aeration. Here is an article on Vermiculite. http://www.vermiculite.org/pdf/horticultural.pdf
Hope this helps.
2007-06-25 02:23:51 · answer #3 · answered by Sptfyr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's perlite, sort of a manmade pumice stone. Its in there to help keep the soil open and help with drainage.
2007-06-25 02:23:43 · answer #4 · answered by Old Punk Dad 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it is styrofoam it help keep the soil loose and the roots spread easily in the pot if the is loose and airy.
2007-06-25 08:43:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
perlite or vermiculite see picture at:
2007-06-25 02:08:55 · answer #6 · answered by Village Player 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
styrafoam
2007-06-25 02:22:39 · answer #7 · answered by Jack the Toad 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋