Consider vermiculite ’s pros and cons so you could decide if it ’s the right-hand alternative for the plant you want to develop .
photograph : Helin Loik - Tomson / Getty Images
Key Points
You ’ve probably learn of vermiculite , but confusedness surrounds what it is , whether it ’s toxic , what to use it for , and if you should avoid it . The quick resolution is that vermiculite can be a valuable addition to potting soil . you could buy vermiculite at garden eye foruse as a soil amendment , and it ’s also used by nursery growers and plant propagators . This guide explains the pros and con of vermiculite for garden so you could resolve if it ’s something you require to use or not .
How Vermiculite Is Made
Vermiculite is a of course take place material — sort of . Vermiculite is made from a mined mineral that is then heated in an industrial furnace , which causes the mineral to thrive dramatically like Zea mays everta . It increase many times in intensity and becomes swooning and downlike . Vermiculite is graded into several size class , with the large size better suit for large plantation owner andraised garden beds , while the finer grades are suitable forstarting seedsand propagate cutting .
When to Use Vermiculite
Gardeners bring vermiculite to potting ground to improve wet holding and aeration . The piddle - deem ability of vermiculite reduces the upshot of potted plant drying out too quick , especially in summer . It ’s a dandy way to keep the dirt moist for plantswithout overwateringand stimulate saturated conditions , which can strangle root and run to root putrefaction . And because root have access to pee for longer , lacrimation frequency is reduced .
Vermiculite ’s lightheaded system of weights also helps keep the dirt loose and aerated , allowing aviation to reach the origin arrangement . origin need O to respirate just like we do , and heavy , compact soil inhibit that process .
While vermiculite is commonly used as an amendment to pot premix , some gardeners start up ejaculate in saturated vermiculite , transplant them into other medium afterwards after they ’ve sprouted . generation by cuttingsfrequently uses vermiculite to keep the cutting tip moist while allowing airflow .
Credit:Photo: Helin Loik-Tomson / Getty Images
How does vermiculite leave both air and wet ? It has a layered structure , like the folds of an accordion . Its presence increases tune pouch and channels in the grime , which increases porosity inheavy remains or compact soilsand help the soil drain well . While it ’s doing that , it absorbs many times its weight in water , slow releasing it back to the soil as the surrounding filth dries out .
Photo : Marty Baldwin
Perlite vs. Vermiculite
Perlite is another vulgar soil linear used in pot mix . Perlite ( shown on bottom of the pic above ) is a volcanic sway that expatiate under high-pitched heat to become a white , downlike , crunchy sum that looks standardised to polystyrene ( Styrofoam ) . It is primarilyused to improve drainageand aeration .
lend perlite create a lighter , fluffier potting commixture that remain loose and breathable , allowing wad of oxygen to get to the roots of potted plants . While vermiculite ( show on top left of the photo above ) also improves heavy or constrict soil experimental condition , its master use is in water retentivity to improve the moisture contentedness of the potting admixture and even out the sometimes uttermost wet - ironic cycles .
In general , vermiculite is good for moisture retention and perlite for aeration . However , many gardeners use both .
Credit:Photo: Marty Baldwin
Related
Vermiculite Pros and Cons
While vermiculite can be an significant and helpful grease amendment , it is n’t double-dyed . When deciding if you ’d like to add vermiculite to your mix , consider the pursual .
Pros
Cons
Frequently Asked Questions
Not unless you recover a 30 - twelvemonth - old bag . Horticultural vermiculite is mined with stern industriousness communications protocol and monitoring and is asbestos - free . The mine that induce the vermiculite - asbestos trouble was located in Libby , Montana , and close in 1990 .
Root rotdepends more on your watering frequency than whether or not you add vermiculite . While vermiculite retains water , it does n’t have root rot when used properly . However , overwatering combine with pot mixture formula laborious in vermiculite could cause issues .
Dry vermiculite , especially the finer grades , is dust-covered when poured out of the handbag . To reduce the dust way out , mix a little water with the vermiculite when you are ready to use it , handle it outside if possible , or wear a junk mask . best a few cups of vermiculite out of a bag to coalesce by hand into your potting mix commonly wo n’t set up much debris .
