Perlite vs Vermiculite
A quick comparison of perlite and vermiculite discussing some of their applications for a home gardener. Perlite vs vermiculite doesn’t imply a contest between the two, but rather a discussion of how they both can be used in gardening.
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Was that "Double Dook Smashers 7" I saw on those VHS tapes in the background? Not judging your taste, it’s a classic.
Thanks 🙏🏻
I use both. Perlite is good for drainage, decreases compaction in soil, allows water to drain effectively and increase oxygen availability for roots. It is better for potted plants. I do add some vermiculite.
Vermiculite is good for retaining water. It’s better for starting seeds.
Very well explained. Thank you for posting this video. Am I correct if I say that the properties of vermiculite is similar to that of Coco peat? So would a mixture of perlite and vermiculite be similar to a mixture of perlite and coco peat ?
Sir I like the way you explain things👍
A day ago I was watching a video in which a gardener shows us an experiment with charcoal. He takes two soil mix one is with charcoal & other without charcoal. He treated both the plants equally in similar treatment. And eventually there was shocking result " soil mix (plant)without charcoal was performing better! So here I request you to clear the air about it by doing the similar comparison as we trust you most. (He did the comparison in indoor.)
Thank you for the video
Quality video
I subscribed to your channel. Great content! If you have a video answering this, let me know and I’ll watch it. I briefly scrolled and didnt see anything but I’m sure something is there. How do you keep a plant alive if wet soil rots the roots but dry soil also kills it? I’m having a heck of a time keeping some peace lillys alive, they either rot or shrivel. If I dont water each day they shrivel, if I do they rot. I am trying different mixtures but I havent figured this one out yet.
Hi Scott, can you please confirm if it’s true. Back in the 70’s, a biologist suggested me to use Vermiculite in my indoor plant soil. She told me that it maintains an electronic charge in the soil that promotes growth. Is that true?
Great video very informative.. I was just wondering if perlite or vermiculite would be good for my tomato and chilli plants in my greenhouse? 💚
Great video👍Do you have any recommendations on ways to reduce moisture in North Carolina clay soil ?
I usually take Scott as the most reliable and relevant source of information on the subject of gardening. The only time I was not in full agreement was the discussion of how to deal with materials contaminated by the broadleaf herbicides containing aminopyralid. The reason is, I had first hand experience with disasters caused by them.
Very informative and to the point thanks
Thanks Scott! I have leafy plants (Murraya koenigii, Rosemary) in my garden and chillies. What would be good for potting mix 50% perlite 50% soil or mix all perlite vermiculite and soil. what about chillies plants? please help me know the ratio.
Great comparisons as usual , tanks Scott 👍🏼
where can i get it in bulk
The benefit of vermiculite as a phyllosilicate is its high cation exchange capability, meaning it can store nutrients.
Hi, thanks for the video, now i know the difference. Would you recommend I use perlite or vermiculite for cuttings (softwood) and at 100 % or at a ratio with peat? many thanks again,
When using a SIP self watering system and the wicking of the water from the reservoir, many use and recommend perlite, but I have noticed some are using vermiculite, do you have any experience on the wicking system and action for water capillary using any of these mediums, I noticed some have used sand also!
Lov3 how the camera has it angles love this video very informative and cool
I love vermiculite but I’m always worried about the environmental effect of using a finite resource like mica in my garden. Apparently Coco Coir can be used as a replacement and is much more eco friendly.
can i use a mix of vermiculite & pumice together?
If I want to root a monstera cutting, can I do so in a glass of perlite that’s been moistened with water and has some water sitting at the bottom of the cup? The stem had rot so I’d like to form some nice roots before transplanting to soil. Thanks
I would not go 2 feet near vermiculite. It’s been outlawed as an insulator in homes due to its carcinogenic effects. Vermiculite contains various concentrations of asbestiform fibers. So, if you want asbestos in your garden — go for it. I’ll stick with anything but.
For growing marigold , can perlite with cocopeat and vermicompost is a good soil mixture
I like the pauses in your video; I’m retired and have all the time in the world to listen to your useful advice patiently. ❤
I cannot promise that for my daughter 😊
love it so much how you change where the camera is placed for perlite and vermiculite so you can look at us from their perspective whilst talking about them 🐿
I believe he’s related to Ian McCollum of ForgottenWeapons channel!
Great video sir 😊
Are you a horiculture teaching teacher
Thanks
This is where the perlite is.
I wonder if the aluminum leaches into the food that people produce.
I believe vermiculite offers an ever so slight nutritional value to plants. Is this correct?
I really enjoy listening to your teaching videos. You pause often, which allows me to take as many notes as I can. I feel like I am in a classroom and you are the teacher. Thank you for all you do. My first time small backyard garden is coming along well. I have been able to apply all I’ve learned from you. May the Lord continue to bless you.
Which is more of a health hazard? I used to work at a mine that processed silica, mica, ect. into materials to make glass and other industrial products. We had to take a chest x ray every year by NC law because of working at a "dusty trade". My guess is the perlite.
Hello Gardener Scott,
Can you please tell me the best soil mix for pineapple plantation on large scale?
Hi. Thanks
Thank you Scott!!
I didn’t find this to be super helpful. He was talking only about the texture of the soil. Sure the 2 are very same for aeration, fluffiness, drainage, retention, etc. But he leaves out the other differences. Vermiculite will drastically increase PH, etc. What about silica properties etc. Anyways, good video overall, but they are not interchangeable for ALL plants. You probably would want to mix vermiculite with peat to offset PH. On the other hand perlite you would probably want to use with coco coir.
Uh oh, I thought they were the same! I used half and half vermiculite and potting soil to repot a prayer plant, and it doesn’t like to be too moist. I wonder if I should repot it now.
Thank you
Straight to the point and is very easy to understand for a newbie gardener like myself, thank you !
Hi Scott, another question. Following my friends advice who was a biologist, I used to bake the soil in an oven and cook it before using it for indoor plants. To kill any insects that might be difficult to control indoors, if any.
Does vermiculite need to be heated to benefit the plant?
Back in the 70’s every store’s gardening section used to carry vermiculite; it was quite popular. But now it’s hard to find in Canada.
Many sales staff in gardening sections didn’t even know what it is.
I love using perlite but never used vermiculite. I think I’m picking up a bag of vermiculite today and start mixing in with my soil mix. I usually put 30% petite so will have to think of the ratio. Probably a 2:1 perlite to vermiculite.
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Thank you for your videos! I noticed the vermiculite you show doesn’t say organic. Do I need to get organic vermiculite?
The Mister Rogers of gardening tutorial. Love this guy!