It doesn't rot or harbor mold either, and never takes on any odd smells and remains non-toxic. It's not used as often as it used to be due to the plant in Libby, Montana that was responsible for the large majority of vermiculite mining being contaminated with asbestos fibers. Though the problem is fixed and there are other sources, it hurt the reputation of vermiculite and many people switched to perlite.
You may be wondering where you could pick up either of these soil additives. Even stores like Walmart may carry these products, though it's more rare since they started carrying potting mixes instead.
Obviously you can just order from Amazon if you don't want to risk running all around town. Below are the most popular options of each:. This company, Espoma, makes affordable and consistent perlite and vermiculite that both come in easily stored and closable zipper top bags. Regardless where you pick up either, you don't have to worry about quality straying too much.
There's not much variance since the process of mining and creating both are fairly strict. At the end of the day, people will say these are the same, and in the broadest and most general sense I would agree. You're not going to harm any plants or vegetables by using either in proper amounts. Above, we've covered the nitty gritty of the differences between perlite vs. While they aren't monumental, they do exist. The more you know! Perlite vs. Vermiculite: What's the Difference?
Editor: Rick Worst Rick is a home design consultant and enthusiast, whose life is consumed by all things home and garden.
Perlite would dry out too rapidly for water-loving plants. However, the amount of water vermiculite holds is not ideal for plants such as cacti or rhododendrons, which need a well-drained soil. The moisture retained by vermiculite would lead to root rots or plant death. Renee Miller began writing professionally in , contributing to websites and the "Community Press" newspaper. She is co-founder of On Fiction Writing, a website for writers. Miller holds a diploma in social services from Clarke College in Belleville, Ontario.
Vermiculite Vs. Perlite Home Guides Garden Gardening. Common questions about perlite vs. For horticultural use, vermiculite is found in the following four different grades, or granule sizes: Type of Vermiculite Grade Granule Size Super coarse vermiculite 4 4mm to 8mm Coarse vermiculite 3 3mm to 6mm Medium vermiculite 2 2mm to 4mm Fine vermiculite 1 1mm to 3mm.
Use perlite if: You want to loosen heavy clay soil. Perlite helps break up surface crusts and reduce soil compaction. Shade-loving houseplants, succulents, and cacti do better with less water, so a potting mix amended with perlite helps prevent root rot and fungal disease. You garden in a wet or humid climate. Adding more perlite to containers or garden beds helps keep the soil from becoming waterlogged. Because vermiculite holds moisture better than perlite, it helps keep seeds from drying out during germination.
Adding vermiculite to your potting mix helps them retain moisture better. You garden in a dry climate. Adding more vermiculite to potting soil and soilless mixes conserves moisture in the growing media. Remember this general rule of thumb: Use perlite when you want better drainage and aeration. Use vermiculite when you want more moisture retention.
Can you use perlite or vermiculite in organic gardening? Can you grow plants in just vermiculite? Can you mix perlite and vermiculite? Can you use perlite or vermiculite in a raised bed? What happens if you breathe in perlite and vermiculite dust?
Where to buy perlite and vermiculite Turn on your JavaScript to view content. Jay May 25, at am. Kapil April 24, at pm. Thanks for an excellent article. Its very well written and answered all of my questions. Guess what, I will now check your articles. Keep writing, you are doing an amazing work Reply. Marijana April 10, at am. Deb February 23, at am. Lola February 11, at am.
Thank you in advance. Linda Ly February 11, at pm. Talitha February 7, at pm. Hi Linda! Benny July 6, at am. This helps plant growth within contaminated soil by creating an environment for beneficial bacteria and microorganisms bugs to thrive. Perlite is made through heating volcanic glass which then is puffed like popcorn. This prevents its ability to hold water within its irregular structure. This gives perlite the ability when added to soil, to help water to drain more freely creating a less moist soil.
As a result it is often used in potting mix formulated for succulents which requires a well drained soil rather than keeping it moist. However from research, I have found that water retention can be affected by the size of the perlite substrate being used. I am also accustomed to the uniform smaller sized perlite.
As a general rule, clay-rich soils need coarse grade perlite to provide good drainage while medium grade perlite provides a balance between air and water-holding capacity. Fine grades will help with moisture retention in fast draining sandy soils. Vermiculite on the other hand has a more sheet-like structure which gives it the ability to hold more water while still keeping the soil well aerated.
It provides excellent soil moisture control. Vermiculite acts more like a sponge and expands when introduced to water to 3 to 4 times its size. This makes vermiculite an excellent potting substrate when used to germinate seedlings as the water retention keeps the soil moist and the structure keeps it well aerated.
When pressure is applied to perlite it crushes into a dusty material whereas when pressure is applied to vermiculite it compresses like a sponge. This is a tell tale feature that shows the water retention ability of vermiculite. Horticulturists recommend that a ratio of vermiculture and Perlite can be mixed and then added to potting soil to give it a well balanced mix.
This would combine good water retention ability and aeration within the soil to provide the best growing condition for potted plants as a general soil mix. When it comes to plants with specific needs the mixing ratio can be tweaked such that it will provide the right conditions for that specific plant and there is no general rule of thumb when it comes to this.
Volcanic glass perlite and vermiculite weighs up to 40 times less than its parent material after the thermal expansion process. Vermiculture Weighs 5 to 10 pounds per cubic foot.
Perlite has a pH range between 7 — 7. However it has been noted that in some cases addition of perlite to potting soil, sometimes increases soil alkalinity and additional measures have to be taken to rectify the pH spike. Vermiculite has a pH range between 6.
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