Why does some potting soil have tiny foam balls in it?

Answer 1

Hey. I will venture to say that you are talking about PERLITE - the small white granules found in (almost all) comercially available POTTING SOIL.
Potting soil is (regionally) formulated from organic materials (primarily derived from one or more of the following: hypnum peat, forest products or compost) sand and horticultural PERLITE.
Horticultural PERLITE is volcanic lava that's expanded by heat. It is a 'natural way' to loosen heavy soils to allow maximum root development, drainage and aeration.
By itself it may also be used as a propagation medium. I use it for propagating begonias (from leaves) as well as for various other propagation projects when a 'glass of water' or commercial potting soil will not suffice as a propagation medium.
Perlite is available on the market in many sized packages from 8 Dry Quarts (or less) to enormous bags that (although very light) would barely fit into a car trunk.
Be advised: it is said in certain cirlces that the dust from perlite (and vermiculite) are potential carcinogens when inhaled.
Also:
- planting mix and potting soil are two different items with separate uses
- both planting mix and potting soil seldom (if ever) contain any actual soil
- be cautious when purchasing both as they may contain sludge (from waste treatment plants)
Happy Gardening!

Answer 2

There are two common additions to potting soil, vermiculite and perlite. Vermiculite has high water permeability and retention while perlite has high water permeability and lower water retention. So vermiculite is used for moisture loving plants. Perlite for dryer soil conditions. Perlite is paler than vermiculite in contrast to the other materials in the mix so more obvious. Vermiculite is mica and contains calcium and magnesium. The problem with it is it is fragile so can be compacted loosing the benefit its great porosity. One of the main benefits of either is their light weight making it easier to handle large potted plants. Bot have neutral pH.
Vermiculite is usually sold in size graded bags with medium being best for seed starts.

Answer 3

These tiny foam balls are called perlite and you can actually buy a bag of these balls seperately in some stores to either add to soil. (make your own mix) or use alone.

Answer 4

in case you are able to weigh down it right into a good grit that's Perlite. Perlite is a mineral that has been baked at very severe temps to puff it out. It has a tendency to characteristic air to the soil as adversarial to holding water in the soil. that's often added to peat-based soils to enhance drainage and shape. I even have additionally considered re-floor EPS beadboard (from manufacture of Styrofoam cups) utilized in potting soils serving in basic terms to loosen up the mixture. This was once offered low-value because it became considered a waste product. Now it curiously is re-shaped into computing device packing fabric and you're unlikely to work out it. Vermiculite is, i think of, cooked mica. It looks extra sparkly and extra cream-colored or brown than Perlite, and slightly extra dusty.

Answer 5

Some gardeners like to use foam peanuts or crushed aluminum cans in the bottom third of a pot. This reduces the pot's weight.

Answer 6

It is strange to me that so many of the "experts" seem to be unaware that the growers of plants are putting styrofoam beads into their potting soil. This material showed a few years ago in the plant pots I buy. It is making a mess of my garden! I know what vermiculite looks like and I am confident it not perlite which is a form of pumice.

Answer 7

this material is called perlite. it is a processed volcanic silicone. the purpose of putting this into your planting soils is that it decreases soil compaction and increases drainage. it does not have any nutritional value for the plant but it does keep the soil fresh longer.

Answer 8

They absorb water and allow us to water less.