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soil

Would anyone know the differnce between vermaculite and perlite? I got vermaculite to mix into my peat, because it seems the same except less blow away in the windish. Is this okay for my plants? I havn't acttually seen it listed on a CP site as a soil lightener, but it is one. Thanks
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-Darcie
 
Vermiculite actually takes away from the acidity from the peat.

The perlite does not have that effect on the soil composition.

To me, that is the only difference
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</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (jaie @ Sep. 23 2002,3:59)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Vermiculite actually takes away from the acidity from the peat.

The perlite does not have that effect on the soil composition.

To me, that is the only difference
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Does this mean I need to buy a new bag of perlite? How much does this stuff destroy acidty, is it enough to bother my plant
 
Vermiculite is a mineral, whereas perlite has a neutral effect. I wouldn't risk the vermiculite, sorry!
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What are you planting? If it's sundews or vft, you can mix peat with either perlite or sand and they'll do well, or use long fibered sphagnum.
A few plants do ok with vermiculite, I usually use it for nepenthes (along with peat and perlite), but as far as I know sundews don't like it.
 
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Alvin Meister @ Sep. 23 2002,5:54)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Vermiculite is a mineral, whereas perlite has a neutral effect. I wouldn't risk the vermiculite, sorry!  
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Ahhhh I AM MAD AT THE STORE! ... Perlite is also a mineral, it's a foarm of cooled lava.
 
Now now, if we're gonna correct ppl, then let's say that perlite is a a rock... not a mineral.
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rocks are made up of minerals, but lets just leave it, lol. I am so going to go balistic at the plant people at that shop. Grrrrr.
 
Vermiculite and perlite are both rocks.  Vermiculite is chemically inert with a pH between 7.0 and 9.0.  Perlite has a pH between 6.5 and 8.0
 
  • #10
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (BigCarnivourKid @ Sep. 24 2002,06:25)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Vermiculite and perlite are both rocks.  Vermiculite is chemically inert with a pH between 7.0 and 9.0.  Perlite has a pH between 6.5 and 8.0[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
So wait.  Does this mean vermaculite does nothing?  I can use it?  Why have people said Vermaculite changes PH if it is inert? Is their a way I can counteract the slightly more basic structure of vermaculite? What PH effect does sand have then?
 
  • #11
hey,
i have seeds of sundews in a mix with a lot of vermiculite in it. they are sprouting like crazy, with no adverse affects that i can see, and i am sure i have used it on others plants as well i believe i have a pot of vft's that are doing well in a mix with vermiculite in it. but i cant tell the plants cover the mediuim too much.
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Joel
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  • #12
I use vermiculite in all of my nepenthes mediums, and I use it soully for the propagation of them. My plants are large and healthy. I do not use it with anything but my Nepenthes.
 
  • #13
I've tried to root Nep cuttings in vermiculite. Didn't work. Perlite was and still is perfect. For me.
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  • #14
Cindy your back! Long time no see!!!!  
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BTW, Vermiculite is a good additive in a small amount to some Nepenthes soil. Perlite is good for opening out a mix. No need to worry about minerals leaching into you soil, just flush pots once in a while if Vermiculaite is heavy in your components of your mix.
 
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