Soil mix questions

[Recklessjoint]

So I'm making my own soil mix which is basically just bagged organic potting soil with vermiculite and perlite that I'm mixing in.. but there is apparently a perlite shortage in my area, we'll the 3 places I looked are out and not getting anymore anytime soon.. I had the idea of mixing in pea gravel in place of the perlite.. any thoughts about this.. good idea or bad..?

 

[Dr Fish]

Unless your soil does not hold water, you don't need vermiculite, it absorbs water like a sponge.. To much and your soil will be slow to dry out.. Perlite opens up the soil and helps drainage, pea gravel wont take its place.... Keep looking for perlite... Not knowing where you live, it's hard to suggest a source for perlite....

 

[Medicine Crow]

There really is not a substitute for either perlite, pumice, or rice hulls. If you cant find locally one of them then they can be mail ordered.

Gnomes steal my bud