Yeah, I hate perlite for bonsai purposes. I want my soil components to have some mass to them so they don't move around so much. Perlite's great for improving drainage on house plants and starting cuttings. Beyond that, I don't have much use for it.Perlite is a float out of the pot pain in the ass...
Sitickin with rocks here, boss.Perlite breaks down too fast and clogs soil
Pure Perlite is fantastic on paper.. but watch it slowly wash away when it rains or pebble dash a wall with it if you hose. Didn't know perlite broke down, but i guess the point is moot.
How about wheel weights? They don't blow away.