What is perlite and vermiculite and what are their differences and what is the application?
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What is vermiculite and perlite and how to use them correctly?
What are good perlite and vermiculite, and how to distinguish them from each other?
S. Plekhanov, the city of Smolen
POWDER LAND - HEALTH OF HEALTH
The ideal soil for plants is loose, breathable, moisture-resistant in structure, but at the same time avoiding stagnation of water. In such a soil, the roots develop well, do not dry out and do not rot. But not always garden land has such characteristics. And here soil baking powder comes to the rescue - agroperlite and agrovermiculitis.
First of all, let's see how these substances differ.
It's important
Agroperlite is not hygrophilous in its properties, and agrovromiculite absorbs moisture well, giving it gradually.
AGROPERLIT
Perlite is a rock of volcanic origin. In appearance, perlite resembles loose, light gray or white granules, similar to crushed polystyrene. If you rub these granules with your fingers, they turn into dust.
When buying, you need to pay attention to the size of the fraction and the name. Building perlite, as well as powder is not suitable for us, but agroperlite (fraction 1,25-5 mm) is what we need. It is chemically neutral, does not rot and does not mold, is not affected by diseases and insects.
Agroperlite does not contain any nutrients, but due to its light, porous structure it becomes a suitable component for soil mixtures.
Council
Before use, perlite should be gently rinsed.
See also: Soil for seedlings with your own hands from A to Z - Part 2
Agrovermiculitis
Vermiculite is chemically inert material, hydromica. It looks like small golden brown or silvery plates of irregular shape. Heat-treated in the oven, calcined vermiculite is called agrovermiculitis. This material, in contrast to agroperlite, contains many useful microelements for plants in an accessible form.
Agveromyculitis is very moisture-consuming. It is able to absorb and retain a large amount of water-4 times its own weight!
WHEN TO APPLY?
The technology of application of these substances is approximately the same. They are used as a drainage layer, as a baking powder to improve the structure of the soil. Both substances are used for germination of seeds, rooting of cuttings, storage of bulbs. Also perlite is often used instead of sand.
The best results are obtained by a mixture of agroperlite with agrovermiculitis. They perfectly complement each other: perlite conducts water well, but does not hold it well, and vermiculite, on the contrary, retains moisture, but at the same time compacts the soil. These substances are introduced into the soil in equal proportions (15% of the total amount of soil).
The presence of agroperlite and agrovermiculite in the soil in cold weather protects the soil from hypothermia, and in hot weather - from overheating. They reduce the acidity of the soil, slow down the meeting of soils, and minimize the likelihood of waterlogging of the site.
APPLICATION OF VERMICULITE AND PERLITE IN THE GARDEN AND GARDEN - TIPS AND FEEDBACK FROM GARDENERS
VERMICULITUS FOR SEEDLING
Not everyone can grow strong and healthy seedlings. Either a black leg will destroy half of it, or, on the contrary, everything will dry up, or it simply does not grow - and that's it. Someone succeeds with cabbage seedlings, someone - tomatoes, someone - flowers, so you have to buy what is missing. And good seedlings are expensive today.
As far back as I can remember, we have always had our own seedlings, mainly cabbage and tomatoes. And everything also happened: it rotted, then it dries up, then it grows a little, and then nothing else. And it happened that you grow good specimens, but then the nuances begin: some sprouts easily tolerate minor damage to the roots during transplantation, while for others the slightest violation of the earthy clod is destructive.
But we never gave up. Through trial and error, over time, we managed to minimize our seedling losses. Moreover, we began to grow through seedlings and cucumbers, and pumpkins, and zucchini, and much more, which we had never done before.
Of course, every gardener has his own tricks and tricks, so I want to share the secret of growing strong seedlings. Maybe someone will like it, and then they will be able to make their dreams come true.
Recently I learned about such a wonderful mineral as vermiculite (it is also called the yield mineral). After reading the positive reviews, I decided to try it myself. A little about what vermiculite is. It is a natural mineral from the group of hydromicas, light, free-flowing, microporous, in the form of flaky particles ranging in size from 1 to 10 mm. It is non-toxic, does not contain heavy metals, is an environmentally friendly material, does not decompose or rot. Possesses thermal insulating properties, as well as high absorbency - five times its own weight!
So, vermiculite is primarily suitable for germinating seeds: it helps the early emergence of seedlings. To do this, mix the seeds of the germinated crop with 1 mm wet vermiculite (the fraction is the size). Place in a warm place to germinate.
Then sow them in containers filled with vermiculite and soil, and vermiculite should make up 15-30% of the volume of the soil - here it is already better to use a fraction of 2 mm.
Rooting in such a mixture occurs twice as fast, the roots develop well and grow evenly, and the plants are noticeably ahead of those grown in the usual way, both in terms of the fleshiness of the stems and leaves, and in height.
Then the time for picking seedlings comes, but this is not necessary. For example, we dive most of the seedlings directly into the open ground, although, of course, this method is not suitable for all crops. Therefore, if you dive seedlings into separate pots, then vermiculite is simply irreplaceable here!
After all, why, in principle, are the picking of seedlings made? In order to get a stronger, healthier plant, which will bear many fruits in the future, and this directly depends on its root system. And just vermiculite, due to its properties, creates all the conditions for the development of a powerful and healthy root system.
To create a substrate, you should take one part of vermiculite fraction 1-2 mm and three parts of ordinary garden soil. Mix everything well and pour into prepared pots. Also, this method allows you to take out seedlings without the threat of damage to the roots.
Further. Due to its low thermal conductivity, vermiculite protects the weak root system of seedlings from temperature changes.
This is especially important if the seedlings are on a windowsill, which is usually the case in most cases.
When the time comes to transplant your green pets into the ground, you need to add 0,25-0,5 liters of vermiculite to each hole (preferably a fraction of 2 or 3 mm) and mix with the ground. This method, in addition to protecting against spring temperature changes, creates favorable conditions for the root system, since vermiculite granules absorb well water and fertilizers dissolved in it, and then gradually give them to plants.
One of the most important properties of vermiculite when growing seedlings is that it prevents the growth of mold, fungi and pests in the soil, thereby protecting the seedlings from root and stem rot - in other words, black leg.
In general, vermiculite pleasantly surprised and pleased me. After all, the most important thing in gardening is to get satisfaction from your work!
I advise you to buy vermiculite. Because it is better to try it yourself once, than to think and reflect for a long time - is this method suitable for me or not ...
© Author: Julia GRECHISHKINA. Tula region
VERMICULITE AND PERLITE - WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
They often write: “when transplanting, add perlite or vermiculite to the substrate” - does that mean they are interchangeable? Can cuttings be rooted in vermiculite? Tell us more about it.
Elena POTAPOVA. Perm region
These are two different minerals. In the soil mixture, they are not interchangeable, but complement each other well. Cuttings can be rooted in vermiculite, as in perlite.
Vermiculite | Perlite |
Holds much more moisture | Less moisture intensive |
Has an elastic structure | Easily destroyed by physical impact and dusty |
Contains potassium and magnesium in plant-available form | Substances are in a bound state and are inaccessible to plants |
Does not lose its original color and shape | Within a short time, it loses its snow-white color and becomes dirty red |
Evenly distributed in the ground, does not "float" | Light, gradually comes to the surface of the soil with watering and can be blown out of the pot by a draft |
FEATURES
Vermiculite comes in different fractions. For building roots, the most suitable is 3-5 mm. I tried small (0,5-1 mm) - I didn’t like it.
Valuable properties of the mineral
It accumulates moisture in itself and gradually gives it to the plant.
It has low thermal conductivity.
Bacteria and fungi do not live in it, so it is an ideal environment for cuttings.
An excellent ripper, oxygenates the soil due to the space between the scales.
Eco-friendly, does not rot or decompose.
Does not react with alkali and acid, has a neutral reaction.
DIFFERENT COMPOSITION
Vermiculite is mined in various places, and its composition varies slightly from this. You can choose what you need.
Ural (Chelyabinsk region). Considered universal.
Altai. High in potassium, as well as iron and magnesium. Ideal for growing roots.
Kazakhstan. More alkaline.
Kola Peninsula. Looks multicolored. Predominant calcium, sodium, magnesium. It is recommended to use when it is necessary to deoxidize the soil.
Foreign (Africa, America, Australia). Alkaline.
© Author: Olga MARSO, collector. Krasnodar region
GROUND DIFFERENTS: PERLITE OR VERMICULITE?
I am engaged in container floriculture and plant propagation. In this matter, one of the main components of success is high-quality soil. When preparing the soil mixture, I always add baking powder. I want to talk about my “helpers” - perlite and vermiculite. Although they have similar qualities, they are still suitable for different situations.
Both substances, when added to the soil, provide good air exchange, due to which the root system receives more oxygen. The materials also absorb water well, but vermiculite does this better than perlite.
When cuttings I use vermiculite. I pour it into the bottom of the container, moisten it, and put peat tablets on top. Sometimes I add it to the soil for rooting cuttings or plant cut flower shoots directly into it. But when preparing a substrate for container plants, I do not add vermiculite. In my opinion, its excess can lead to an increase in soil acidity, because it has a slightly alkaline reaction.
As for perlite (agroperlite), for me it is indispensable when growing begonias. I mix Agrobalt neutral peat with ripper in a ratio of 4:1. This additive helps me avoid overwatering, and the roots breathe better. But it is worth remembering that perlite is very dusty, and this is harmful to the eyes and lungs, so before use I soak it in water and only then add it where needed. Also, when working with this material, a mask or respirator will not hurt.
Experts comments
Perlite and vermiculite are excellent not only as raising agents, but also as drainage and for storing tubers and bulbs. In addition to these materials, others also have good drainage properties, for example zeolite, which contains many useful microelements. Sand is good for succulents. It is added to the substrate when planting large indoor plants to make the soil heavier. Sand is also indispensable in the garden for improving clay soil. A useful additive for many container plants is charcoal. It prevents the development of pathogenic bacteria. Anastasia ENTSOVA, agronomist, St. Petersburg
© Author: Anna CHESNOKOVA, author of the flower blog “Anyutacvety”, Kirov
WHAT IS VERMICULITIS - VIDEO
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Not all gardeners know that the smallest perlite dust is harmful to the lungs and eyes. I will tell you how to use it without harm to health.
Before removing the perlite from the bag, pour a little water into it. And then, already wet, add to the soil mixture. If it is necessary to use dry, then, after moistening it in a bag, pour the perlite into a colander and rinse in a basin of water, and then dry it.
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I add sand to the seedling soil to make it looser, but perlite and vermiculite are recommended. What are these materials good for and which one should be preferred?
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The soil for seedlings should be loose and breathable during the entire period of its cultivation. To do this, loosening materials are added to it - moss-sphagnum, high-moor peat, sawdust, grain husks, zeolite, foam plastic, etc. One of the best baking powders is undoubtedly perlite and vermiculite, which are sold in any garden center at reasonable prices. They do not need to be disinfected, like the same sand, but they can be applied separately and together. The amount (15-35%) depends on the initial state of the soil, with which the additives are thoroughly mixed. The result is improved structure, increased breathability and water-holding capacity.
Vermiculite. From a geochemical point of view, these are particles of expanded mica. Depending on their size, the material is divided into 5 fractions, 2, 3 and 4 are used for seedling mixtures.
In a dry state, vermiculite is very light - the average density is 0 g / cu. see. Porous particles have a high moisture content - they absorb 1-10 ml of water per 40 g of their own weight, but at the same time their hygroscopicity (the ability to absorb water vapor from the air) is very low: at 50% air humidity, the humidity of vermiculite is 100%.
Vermiculite itself contains nutrients - potassium and magnesium, available to plants, and also retains the nutrients of fertilizers and gradually gives them to the roots.
Perlite. This is foamed volcanic glass, a chemically inert material. It is also capable of absorbing and retaining 3-4 times its own weight in moisture.
Agroperlite is usually sold in stores - particles 2-5 mm in size. Smaller fractions of perlite have low air capacity. A significant drawback is that perlite is dusty, so it sometimes has to be washed before use, and allergy sufferers need to work only in a mask.
Perlite and vermiculite can also be used as drainage, they do not rot or decompose.