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How to Reuse Perlite
How to Reuse Perlite. Perlite is a useful medium in certain greenhouse crops such as tomatoes. Reusing perlite is a good idea because purchasing new medium each year is expensive. However, you must take important steps such as sifting and sterilizing perlite to stave off potential problems that come with recycling it. The problems include excess...
Perlite is a useful medium in certain greenhouse crops such as tomatoes. Reusing perlite is a good idea because purchasing new medium each year is expensive. However, you must take important steps such as sifting and sterilizing perlite to stave off potential problems that come with recycling it. The problems include excess salt accumulation, fungi growth and pest invasions.
Things You'll Need
Pillowcase or strainer
Large screen
Auger attachment
Power drill
Large tub
Large bucket
Remove all vegetation from your previous crop and compost it.
Place a wire mesh strainer or large screen over a large bucket. Put the used perlite with tomato roots attached onto the strainer and sift the perlite into the bucket. Compost the roots once all of the perlite has fallen into the bucket below.
Use an auger attached to an electric drill to stir the perlite, aerate it and further prevent soil compaction.
Fill a large tub with hot water that sits at a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Put the sifted and stirred perlite into a pillowcase and place the pillowcase into the hot water to disinfect the perlite. Let the pillowcase sit in the water for about one hour, but make sure that the temperature doesn't fall below 122 degrees Fahrenheit.
Remove the pillowcase from the water and pour the disinfected perlite into a large bucket.
