Has Anyone Used Vermiculite?

The Helpful Gardener · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

And we're glad your here to do that Emma... Very Happy

Rainbow, sense of place is what gardening should be all about. Linking soil to plant to environment. Very nicely put...

Stella, the "ounces of fossil fuel" is likely gallons; we are heating rocks until they go pop; I have seen many a rock in a campfire loaded with mica (we have lots of schist in this area) and I have yet to see one pop. While fossil fuel consumption is not the sole responsibility of gardeners, I have always thought of it as a good indicator for good gardening practice. Chemical fertilizers? Four gallons to the 50 lb. bag of 10-10-10 in that Haber Bosch process. I use hand tools whereever and whenever I can short of real time killers like taking down a tree or mowing the lawn (won't SOMEONE come up with an electric rechargeable mower I can set at 4 inches?).

Mined, heat processed garden ammendments are certainly a high impact item, when compost actually is restoring carbon to the soil instead of dumping huge amounts into the atmosphere (a pretty well-recognized bad thing to do). If you've got it it already I guess it makes sense to use it up (this isn't a pesticide or like direct damage consideration), but please consider all the effects of any garden product (key word is production) before purchasing. Mining is by nature a destructive process that capitalizes non-renewable resources. That doesn't sound good to me...

And the biggest reason not to do it? Perlite and vermiculites use as a soil amendment has been highly questionable since they were introduced; here's an OLD article from 1952, a US Geological Administration article that points out mineral supplements tendency to powder, and most damning of all...

Morning Light · Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 10:45 pm Post subject:

Enlightening post, HG. Mining IS destructive. If it is any consolation, I reuse the vermiculite year after year for storing bulbs. Not like it's going to decompose.... Laughing

Emma
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Emma Elle

"In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous." -- Aristotle

stella1751 · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 1:27 am Post subject:

The Helpful Gardener · Posted: Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:40 am Post subject:

Hey Stella,

Thanks for all the homework; I had always thought of vermiculite as the puffed stuff and had no idea the raw form had uses in the garden (I WAS aware it is a natural mineral; I just think mining to grow things is a bad idea. I don't like mined humates either, as we can create humus with local plant detritus in a far more earth-friendly manner).

I had not thought about it from an increased Cation Exchange Capacity POV, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised; clay is a good example of another mineral that really increases CEC (ability to hold nutrients). That could explain the boost in growth and harvest. I was referring more to water retention than fertility, but this is good to know. I also remember somebody telling me about using stone base in bonsai soil; something about the sharp particle increasing hair rooting. Increase in root mass might help account for some boost as well. Likely a combination of factors, but I am still certain increased field capacity isn't it.

I guess my question would be why mine when we can get increases in CEC from waste sources like stonecutting? Granite counter-tops going into houses like nobody's business; granite can do all the above and adds potassium too! Rather than a big hole in the ground we utilize what has been garbage to date. Actually volcanic ash is the best mineral for increasing CEC, and Mother makes more all the time; no need to poke a hole in her there either... Mr. Green

Is perlite or vermiculite natural? Yep. Organic? 2 for 2. Do we improve it's effectiveness processing it? Nope. Is it greener than chemical fertilization? Hey-yeah it is. Is it as green as we can get? Question

HG
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Sage Hermit · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 4:53 am Post subject:

What about coco? and coffe grinds?
Surprised

How can I use those?
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The Helpful Gardener · Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:37 pm Post subject:

Lots of stuff in the Compost forum on those topics, Sage. Try using the search box at the top of the page and you will pull up tons of stuff on both, I am sure...

HG
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Sage Hermit · Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 1:45 am Post subject:

Sorry and thanks.
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emerald7 · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:50 am Post subject: Vermiculite's effect on PH

I am about to use some vermiculite in the soil of one of my plants, and today I was reading about vermiculite's effect on PH. It is billed as 'sterile', but apparently it tends to have an alkaline effect in soil media (from 7.0-9.5 PH). So it depends on what you are thinking to use it in--if it's a neutral to alkaline-loving plant, it's fine but if you are thinking to use it in an acid-loving plant, you might not want to do that. HTH.
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The Helpful Gardener · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 2:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks Emerald!

HG
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Toil · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 6:37 pm Post subject:

I'm going to sheepishly admit that I use the stuff for starts and rooting cuttings. I'm gonna try some swamp rose this year, maybe a dozen, and spread the swamp rose joy at my community garden before moving away.

I really should be using something more environmentally friendly.
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