I use perlite for all my plants to make the soil for cactus and succulents, this is one of the best ingredients to add minerals and good drain to soil, as you can see at the bottom the table show how many minerals are found on perlite, very light weight.. this is a medium grain, just compare to the penny on picture to get an idea of the size.Uses for Perlite...There are many uses for perlite, In horticultural applications, perlite is used throughout he world as a component of soilless growing mixes where it provides aeration for superior plant growth. For rooting cuttings, 100% perlite is used. Studies have shown that outstanding yields are achieved with perlite hydroponic systems. Other benefits of horticultural perlite are its neutral pH and the fact that it is sterile and weed-free. In addition, its light weight makes it ideal for use in container growing. Other horticultural applications for perlite are as a carrier for fertilizer, herbicides and pesticides and for pelletizing seed. Horticultural perlite is as useful to the home gardener as it is to the commercial grower. It is used with equal success in greenhouse growing, landscaping applications and in the home in house plants.Perlite is not a trade name but a generic term for naturally occurring siliceous rock. The distinguishing feature which sets perlite apart from other volcanic glasses is that when heated to a suitable point in its softening range, it expands from four to twenty times its original volume. This expansion is due to the presence of two to six percent combined water in the crude perlite rock. When quickly heated to above 1600�F (871�C), the crude rock pops in a manner similar to popcorn as the combined water vaporizes and creates countless tiny bubbles which account for the amazing light weight and other exceptional physical properties of expanded perlite. This expansion process also creates one of perlite's most distinguishing characteristics: its white color. While the crude rock may range from transparent light gray to glossy black, the color of expanded perlite ranges from snowy white to grayish white. Expanded perlite can be manufactured to weigh as little as 2 pounds per cubic foot making it adaptable for numerous applications. Since perlite is a form of natural glass, it is classified as chemically inert and has a pH of approximately 7. Perlite is mined and expanded all over the world. The United States is estimated to be the largest consumer and producer of crude and expanded perlite. However, there is very strong world wide production and consumption of perlite. Other leading countries producing perlite include China, Greece, Japan, Hungary, Armenia, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, and Turkey. Typical Elemental Analysis Silicon33.8Aluminum7.2Potassium3.5Sodium3.4Iron0.6Calcium0.6Magnesium0.2Trace0.2Oxygen (by difference)47.5Net Total97.0Bound Water3.0Total100.0* All analyses are shown in elemental form even though the actual forms present are mixed glassy silicates. Free silica may be present in small amounts, characteristic of the particular ore body. More specific information may be obtained from the ore supplier involved.The quantity is a full boxof 6 x 8 x 11 inch, about 8 dry quartsShipping for this items will be $9.95flat rate and can't be combine with other items. Sellers: Delight buyers. Get your own map of past buyers. Powered by eCRATER . List your items fast and easy and manage your active items.On Dec-27-11 at 21:59:38 PST, seller added the following information:Every buyer gets a MyStoreRewards invitation for cash backSellebrity Analytics