What is vermiculite for and what is it

Tell us what is vermiculite for? My friend is an avid florist, and she doesn’t have any kind of plants. She raised most of them herself from seeds, and made the earth herself. Yesterday we went shopping together, so she bought many different components from the store, among which was a large package of vermiculite. He says that this is the most necessary element for flowers. I hardly use it, or perhaps in vain?

Among florists, gardeners and gardeners, perhaps few people do not know about vermiculite. As you know, the development of any plant depends on the soil. The better, lighter and more nutritious it is, the faster crops grow and the less often they get sick. Vermiculite will help improve the structure of the earth, both in pots and in the open field. This is one of the useful and necessary components that has high moisture-absorbing properties. What is vermiculite for and what it is - the topic of our conversation today.

What is vermiculite?

In its natural state, vermiculite is hydromica, a plate-shaped mineral with many layers. It is quite dense and can be dirty yellow or gray-black with a green tint. Mica can be heat treated: it is fired at a high temperature. During the firing process, moisture inside the plates begins to evaporate and move them apart. So vermiculite increases in size and exfoliates. At the end of processing, it is crushed into fractions of different sizes.

Vermiculite of the finest fraction has a size of no more than 0.5 mm and looks like dust, and the largest - up to 8 mm, like a small coin. In total, there are 6 groups or grades of vermiculite; in plant growing, grade 3 to 5 is usually used. Expanded vermiculite, not crushed, serves as an excellent insulation and is used in construction.

Among the advantages of vermiculite, it is worth noting its such properties:

1. It absorbs moisture well in large quantities, but does not increase in size, but only becomes heavier.
2. Gradually and for a long time gives moisture to plants.
3. It does not rot or decompose, which excludes the appearance and development of various fungi, infections and insects.
4. Keeps warm well.
5. Can be used many times, but after regeneration (rinsing and drying).
6. It retains its properties even outdoors for up to 10 years.
7. Neutralizes soil acidity.

What is vermiculite for: areas of application in private crop production

Lightweight air granules are suitable for use everywhere. This can be the cultivation of both indoor and garden crops, namely:

• germination of seeds in fine moist vermiculite;
• growing seedlings or rooting cuttings in a mixture of vermiculite and peat;
• adding to the substrate for looseness;
• laying larger vermiculite in flowerpots as a drainage layer, as well as mulch;
• use for hydroponic plant cultivation;
• adding during cooking compost;
• introducing a small amount of vermiculite into the holes when planting garden and garden plants;
• laying in the soil for sowing or covering the lawn.

In addition, various corms are well stored in vermiculite, do not freeze and do not rot. The granules poured into the container maintain optimal humidity and temperature.

How to use vermiculite correctly when growing plants - video