SPRUCE SEED GERMINATION PERLITE

OUTDOOR ORGANIC GARDENING
PLANT GUIDE
The Schundler Company
10 Central Street
Nahant, MA 01908
732-287-2244 www.schundler.com



STUDIES USING 100% PERLITE FOR SPRUCE SEED GERMINATION
AND
TESTING THE EFFECT OF PERLITE ON AN OUTDOOR ORGANIC GARDEN


By Bruce Schundler


Triton College

Triton College is a small liberal arts college located in River Grove, Illinois. For several years it has had an Ornamental Horticulture Department, and its students have conduct small basic research projects.

Recently, the College has done a few studies on the use of perlite both for germination and in an outside garden. Two of these studies are noted here:

The preliminary results of these test are reported here.


Seedling Growth

  • Objective:
    • To determine any differences within the germination rate and germination time of spruce tree seeds.

  • Experiment:
    • Trial developed to compare 5 groups, Perlite being one of them.
    • 600 total seeds - 100 seeds per group
    • All seeds were cold treated - 8 weeks at 40 F
    • Counting was performed in a blind fashion

  • Groups:
    • Perlite
    • Peat Moss
    • Coir Mixture
    • Jiffy Mix
    • Triton Mix

  • Results:
    • After 4 weeks (5/30) ---100 Seeds Per Group

      Perlite 93 seeds germinated
      Peat Moss 41
      Coir Mixture 06
      Jiffy Mix 49
      Sand 87
      Triton Mix 08

    • After 6 weeks (6/17) ---100 Seeds Per Group

      Perlite 92 seeds germinated
      Peat Moss 59
      Coir Mixture 13
      Jiffy Mix 58
      Sand 89
      Triton Mix 74

  • Discussion--- This data shows that perlite is a major factor in seed germination & growth. There have been studies in Norway that suggest that perlite is as superior of a growth medium but they are limited to 25 to 50% mixture of peat with perlite.

    We are continuing to research this subject.


Perlite in the Organic Garden

  • Objective:
    • To determine if Perlite had any effect on weed growth, fruit/vegetable growth, and water retention within an organic outside environment.

  • Experiment:
    • Perlite was added to ½ of Triton's organic garden last year

  • Impressions:
    • Weeding was far easier; however, the yield of weeds was the same
    • Water requirements - cut by 1/3 rd
    • Amount of fruit produced - similar to previous year.


We are continuing to utilize Perlite to determine best usage and effects.

Thanks again for your continued support, it is allowing Triton's Horticulture Department to continue to be on the cutting edge of the industry trends and standards.



For more information about these uses of perlite in containers, landscaping, and/or gardening,
please call or contact us at:

The Schundler Company
10 Central Street
Nahant, MA 01908
(ph)732-287-2244 (fax) 732-287-4185
www.schundler.com
email: info@schundler.com

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