Why use Perlite for Hydroponics?
The fastest growing application for Perlite in the horticultural field is hydroponics or otherwise known as Protected Cropping. Perlite exhibits a unique capillary action in that nutrient rich water can be drawn up from a reservoir through a fine Perlite growing media at the rate that is required by a plant. As a result, plants grown in hydroponic supplies, i.e. Perlite do not suffer from over watering or under watering.
Exfoliators Hydro-Perl Grow Bags
Exfoliators Hydro-Perl Grow Bags are your new hydroponics solution. They are currently being used commercially from the smallest to the biggest hydroponic growers in Melbourne and other areas of Australia. Our bags are also used by the backyard hydroponic hobbyists (who just love the new fruits of their greatly reduced labour!).
Exfoliators Hydro-Perl Grow Bags are being used extensively all over Australia, including Melbourne, and other major cities in the commercial and residential production of fantastic looking: Tomatoes, Strawberries, Blueberries, Eggplant, Capsicums, Cucumbers, Gerberas and Roses. These plants (and their growers) have benefitted from excellent and much higher yields of their fruits and flowers. Gerberas have seen much more full and vibrant flowers and tomato plants have seen greater consistency, colouring and quantities of tomatoes per plant.
Hydro-Perl Bag Benefits
Exfoliators Hydro-Perl Grow Bags offer the user many extended benefits for their crop and in turn themselves. These benefits include:
- Cost savings (these costs savings come from various areas)
- Reduced watering costs (dependent on your mix and growing style, Hydro-Perl Grow Bags can reduce watering costs significantly)
- Initial saturation of bags only requires 10.5L of water compared to 15L in other grow bags-multiply this saving for your grow bag requirements and see the benefits
- Reduced Landfill Costs (Perlite and Vermiculite can be reused as well as disposed of in your ground soil or also possibly sold as a nutrient rich horticultural product)
- Grower Specific Mixes (Exfoliators can manufacture your Hydro-Perl Grow Bags to your specific growing styles and requirements- we know this is extremely important to you)
- Quick Initial Water Uptake
- Even Water Retention
- Capillary action water and nutrient delivery
- Vermin and Rot Proof (these critters wont get to your plants valuable nutrients)
Hydro-Perl Bag Installation Process
Hydro-Perl Grow bags are quick to install with the initial uptake of water. Unlike other mediums that require 15 litres to saturate the bag, Perlite only requires 10.5 litres. When you have a glass house requiring 20,000 bags this is a water saving of up to 90,000 litres. The time each bag takes to saturate is less than 5 minutes, with excess water that drains from the drain hole in the bag coming out Crystal Clear rather than a brown colour caused by tannin from mediums such as Coco Peat. This truly saves money and time which makes Hydro-Perl Grow Bags and hydroponic supplies the choice of many growers.
The water holding capacity along with air porosity is vital in growing your plants successfully. We have tallied specific results from different grades of Exfoliators Premium Perlite to ensure that you can choose the correct grade of Perlite for your hydroponic growing.
Exfoliators Premium Hydro-Perl Grow bags and hydroponic supplies can be manufactured to suit your needs and plant requirements, we can produced grow bags in various grades and mixes (Perlite and Vermiculite as 50/50 mix). These mixes as outlined in the table often compliment each other when certain properties need to be gained for your growth cycle.
Contact Exfoliators
For further benefits and information please contact one of our friendly sales staff at (03) 9706 6049 or via email at [email protected].
Also Download the PDF.
FAQs
1. Why is Perlite used as a hydroponic growing medium?
Perlite has a unique capillary action. Nutrient-rich water is drawn up from a reservoir through fine perlite growing media at the rate the plant needs, so the root zone neither dries out nor becomes waterlogged. This is why hydroponics, also known as protected cropping, is the fastest-growing horticultural application for perlite.
2. What are Exfoliators Hydro-Perl Grow Bags, and who uses them?
Hydro-Perl Grow Bags are our perlite-based hydroponic growing solution. They’re used commercially by hydroponic growers of all sizes, from the smallest to the largest, in Melbourne and across Australia, as well as by backyard hydroponic hobbyists. Contact our sales team to discuss the right bag for your operation.
3. How are Hydro-Perl Grow Bags set up and used in a hydroponic system?
The bags are laid horizontally on the greenhouse floor or on gutters, and holes are cut to accept seedlings. Once the seedlings are in, a drip irrigation system delivers nutrient-rich water to each plant. A reservoir of that water collects in the bottom of the bag, and the perlite’s natural capillary action draws a controlled amount up into the root zone.
4. How often do plants grown in Perlite need watering?
Because capillary action supplies a controlled amount of water to the root zone, watering only needs to happen a few times a day. Other media may require as many as 20 waterings daily, with constant attention.
5. How much water does a Hydro-Perl Grow Bag need to saturate compared with other media?
A Hydro-Perl Grow Bag needs only 10.5 litres of water to saturate, compared with 15 litres for other media. In a glasshouse running 20,000 bags, that’s a saving of up to 90,000 litres. Each bag saturates in under 5 minutes, and the water draining from the bag’s drain hole comes out clear.
6. How does Perlite compare with coco peat in grow bags?
There are two practical differences. First, runoff: mediums such as coco peat can release tannin, which turns drain water brown, while PERLITE runoff comes out clear. Second, stability: unlike coco peat, PERLITE doesn’t break down, decompose or change its pH value, so the growing medium stays consistent through the crop.
7. Can I grow more than one crop in the same Hydro-Perl Grow Bag?
Yes. Because PERLITE doesn’t break down, decompose or change its pH, its structure stays consistent, so you can grow two crops in the same bag without concern. That gets you more from each bag and lowers your growing media costs.
8. Can Hydro-Perl Grow Bags be made to suit our growing style or crop?
Hydro-Perl Grow Bags can be made to suit different growing styles and crop requirements. The blend can be tailored to provide the desired balance of aeration, moisture retention and drainage, including seedling hole size and spacing, as well as bag length. Contact our sales team to discuss a suitable blend and configuration for your crop.
9. Which perlite grade should I choose for my hydroponic crop?
Hydro-Perl Grow Bags come in various grades, because some plants need more water than others and so call for a finer or coarser growing media. The perlite in our standard Hydro-Perl Grow Bag is Fine Grade (1–2mm), which suits tomatoes very well. Cucumbers prefer a little more water, so Superfine perlite is ideal for them. Water-holding capacity and air porosity are the two factors that matter most. Tell our sales team about your crop and we’ll recommend the right grade.
10. Which crops are Hydro-Perl Grow Bags used for?
Hydro-Perl Grow Bags are used across Australia, including Melbourne and other major cities, in both commercial and residential production of tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, eggplant, capsicums, cucumbers, gerberas and roses. Growers report higher yields, fuller and more vibrant gerbera flowers, and greater consistency, colour and quantity in tomatoes.
11. Can the perlite from used grow bags be reused or disposed of?
Yes. Once you’ve finished with your Hydro-Perl Grow Bags, the perlite can be composted and reused in potting mixes and blended soils, where it adds water holding and air porosity, two key factors for growing. Recycling it is a straightforward way to cut disposal costs, and it can also be disposed of in your ground soil.
12. Do you deliver Hydro-Perl Grow Bags outside Melbourne?
Yes. We’re based in Dandenong, Victoria, and supply growers across Australia and internationally. We can arrange freight through our trusted carriers, or work with your preferred carrier. See our Transportation and Export page, or contact us for a delivery quote.
13. Do you supply Hydro-Perl Grow Bags on an ongoing basis?
Yes. For growers with recurring requirements, we can arrange ongoing contract supply so your stock arrives reliably. Contact our sales team on (03) 9706 6049 to discuss your needs.