I just rinse the perlite to remove as much of the dust as possible to mitigate the risk to my lungs. I use a strainer like this
https://a.co/d/gD8OEr5

I make a large tub of mixed bark/perlite after rinsing. I also just rinse my bark

Makes total sense to soak in kelp pak and quantum total... Those supplements could help ease the transition / repotting stress.

Beautiful day here in Portland... About to go repot some rhododendrons!

Thanks Claw. Per ES's guidance I spread the Perlite outside a few days to blow off the dust. Stirred it a couple of times -- so it is clean.

Next question: About what ratio Perlite/Orchiata do you recommend for medium sized Catts and also for small Bellinas? (Those are the ones I will be repotting in the morn.)

Beautiful day here in North AL. 55 degrees, blue skies & sun.

---------- Post added at 05:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:57 PM ----------

Claw -- Haha. I have that exact Amazon strainer that I use to sift rocks out of the red clay in my daylily beds. It fits perfectly over a 5-gallong bucket.

ROBB - 2 things:

1) You should not soak Orchiata bark, as that extracts some of the dolomitic limestone they use in the curing process. I found that a better way to pretreat it is as follows:

• Pour very hot or even boiling water over the bark - about enough to get it good and wet.
• Let is stand until cool (~15 min or so)
• Then pour your Kelpak/Quantum solution over it.

The hot water treatment opens up the dried cell structure so it can absorb and hold more water (just like an extended soak, without the degree of extraction).

2) The bark/perlite ratio you find to be “correct” will depend upon your growing conditions, selection of container, frequency and watering, etc., so Clawhammer’s experience may not be particularly useful. I imagine it’s a lot different in Portland than in Alabama!

ROBB - I find that using similar size perlite and bark works nicely. I target a 60/40 bark/perlite mix, ymmv. Hope you find it as revolutionary for your culture as it has been for mine :)

Thanks Ray. Will do.

---------- Post added at 11:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 AM ----------

Claw - Thanks for the info. I look forward to this perlite "experiment".