Question about soil and perlite

[Coca-Cola]

Hey fellow growers, well i was planning to put about 20%-30% perlite in my 5 gallon buckets, but i only want to water them once a week and don't want to give them underwatering stress, do you guys think it would be OK if i add about 5%-10% perlite instead of 20%-30%? I live in Toronto.

[jonster]

as long as ur using organic potting soil, further aeration is a small priority.

all depends on ur soil type.

[Coca-Cola]

im mixing in 60% topsoil and the rest is worm castings.

[mister2]

i'm using 50/50 john innes#2/perlite and i only water every 4 - 5 days (like to make them droop for their drink lol

[Spanishfly]

Depends on your climate. This year my girls were using 8 litres of water a day each. And if I didn´t water every 24 they were wilting by 36.

[Coca-Cola]

At summer the temperature could range from 17.6 Celsius to 26.5Celsius

[jonster]

if your worried about underwatering don't even use perlite, just invest in lots of

polymer water crystals, they decrease watering frequency by as much as half if used

in adequate amounts per certain soil part.

[Coca-Cola]

You think it would be alright if i just mixed top soil with some vermicompost?

[jonster]

that would be fine, as long as ur using proper nutrients.

if this is 1 of ur first grows then be very cautious, underwatering is very easy to do.

allow the soil to dry a few inches from the top, then re-water.

i can say that in very hot and dry places such as spain you won't get away with once a

week, as a strong root structure forms and the plant grows larger, more

water is needed.