Using Perlite for the first time

[Suresh Kalyanpur]

I have not heard of any one using Perlite in their mix for growing orchids because it is not available here in India.

My perception has been that Perlite comes as granules, about 1/2 to 3/4 cm in size (please correct me if I am wrong) and is to be mixed with the other ingredients as a part of the potting mix.

Very recently I came across an Advert that there was someone supplyng Perlite here in India. I wrote to them and within a couple of days the parcel arrived. To my utter surprise I found that it contained a coarse mix of Perlite slightly larger than grains of sand. Is this how it comes?

My question now is as follows: I generally use charcoal, tile and brick pieces for most of my orchids in clay pots with holes at the bottom and on the sides as well for better air circulation and good water drainage. How do i add the Perlite to this sort of mix? Would it not get washed away every time I water the orchids?