Pelite is used by cannabis growers to aerate their medium, which is usually peat-based, thus having good CEC, but not enough air holding capacity to offset problems arising from growing in containers, where drainage and root oxygenation are also very important.

Perlite is commonly considered a non-toxic product with low impact on local environment as chemicals are not necessary for its production, and it creates very little waste.

However, it's inorganic, non-renewable and runs a huge carbon footprint, which means it's non-sustainable in the long run, even if reserves (mostly in Turkey) are vast.

In recent years rice hulls have shown their benefit as a perlite replacement in field trials. Plants performed the same, and without the need for an increase in nitrogen fertilisers.

Rice hulls are also cheaper, organic, biodegradable, and they are a waste, which makes them a perfect tool for cannabis industry, that should be working on establishing its ecological credibility.

But there's another great material if they're unavailable, which can be turned into equally good aerating agent by every grower in his/her kitchen. We're talking about peanut shells, which after blending resemble coarse coco coir and can be added to your soil or potting mix in the same ratio as perlite or rice hulls.

To make it work, you crack them, blend coarsely, and then add to your soil

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