Perlite on top of soil is rust colored

15 years ago

Hello, all! I'm a newbie. I'm so glad its March Madness. I don't feel quite so guilty spending the last two evenings away from family reading this forum. I'm on page five. I'd like to say I hope you, your families and plants are all doing well. While reading here I'd giggle to myself - "Oh, I did that too! Yes, I bought those pretty, but too big self watering ceramic pots." And the AV mix that just didn't feel right - pot, add a little of this a little of that - re-pot. The list goes on. But I'm having fun playing in the dirt AND they haven't croaked yet. Surprising with some of the stupid things I did that first week. This AV madness has been going on now maybe five weeks.

So, I've noticed that some of the perlite on top of soil is a rust color. There are two with wick ends above the soil that are also rusty. Below soil isn't. One AV is in a clear plastic pot. Perlite below surface is white. We have soft water. Haven't added salt in system for a good while, did use that after ran threw Britta filter and 24+ hour stand. Have stopped. (And perhaps have re-potted since then. Can't remember.) Last few weeks have used bottled spring and drinking water. Soil is Schultz AV mix w/fert. added verm.and perl. Wicks are white masonry line. It's just unattractive.

Thanks, take care.

Debbie K.

Comments (7)

frank325
15 years ago
I know what you mean. I'm pretty sure that's normal because the same thing happens to mine. Maybe someone here has a better explanation as to why it does that. I just figured it was a reaction to getting wet and being exposed.
bspofford
15 years ago
Sounds like fertilizer salt buildup. I would start by 'flushing' the soil. Run a couple cups of tepid water through the soil by pouring from the top, let drain well. If that doesn't resolve the problem, you can always scoop off that layer and replace with new.

Remember, March Madness turns into April Foolishness, so be prepared.

Barbara
Related Professionals
Maple Valley Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Belmont Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Norton Shores Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · White Oak Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Aloha Landscape Contractors · Cerritos Landscape Contractors · Chelmsford Landscape Contractors · East Lake-Orient Park Landscape Contractors · Fruit Heights Landscape Contractors · Lynwood Landscape Contractors · Natick Landscape Contractors · Parkland Landscape Contractors · Wallingford Landscape Contractors · Tyngsboro Landscape Contractors · Forest Hill Landscape Contractors
fred_hill
15 years ago
Hi Debbie,
Welcome to the AV forum. There is a lot of info here to cover. I just hope that it doesn't bore you or drive you mad from reading all the entries. If you are unsure about what to do this is a good place to find the answer. I agree with Barbara, try flushing the salts and excess fertilizer out of the pot. I always tell all new growers to isolate any new plants for a minimum of a month before putting them with the others.
Once again welcome to the world of AV addiction.
Fred in NJ
frank325
15 years ago
I don't think this is the problem, is it? I noticed perlite turning rust colored very early on when I happened to put a small layer on the top of the soil for one house plant I have. Shortly after watering it a few times, it did this. I wouldn't imagine it would be build up of anything that quickly?
korina
15 years ago
It could also just be staining from the peat.

Korina
minimac
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks all, for the suggestions, theories and welcome! Bored? No... just playing a little "catch-up" reading the back posts, trying to get a glimpse into your violet world. April Foolishness...YES!!! The vendors will begin delivering!

Debbie
frank325
15 years ago
I take back my previous thought about it being normal... i have other plants that this didn't happen to, I just wasn't thinking about them. Maybe it's a peat thing like Korina suggests.