Perlite is supposed to be chemically inert and non dissolving, hence its usefulness as a an additive for gardening substrates to improve drainage, aeration, and moisture retention, but I need to know if the perlite sold in construction materials stores is suitable for gardening applications, or does it have something that would harm plants that agroperlite does not have?
It looks like perlite and aggro perlite are one and the same only packaged differently for different uses. Construction use would be for insulation properties, filling holes ind concrete blocks and making a lighter concrete mix. other wise either could be used for helping with aeration in soils or for hydroponic gardening or under container to help create a more humid environment for the plant by having water in it and sitting plants on it.
The world is in the universe.
The perlite used in construction would not be monitored or tested as horticultural perlite is, so you could not know what adulterants it might contain. In addition, vermiculite usually works better for me than perlite for 2 reasons: 1) Although perlite helps condition soil keeping it loose, it tends to float around your garden when you water, and 2) perlite does not absorb and release water for use by your plants. Vermiculite doesn't float around and it soaks up and holds water until needed by your plants. The supposed asbestos scare published a few years back about vermiculite was only related to 2 particular mines and is no longer a source of horticultural vermiculite, so any vermiculite you can buy will be safe.
