What is the difference between vermiculite and pearlite?
vermiculite and pearlit are inorganic, mineral materials used in horticulture. The vermiculite consists of naturally occurring minerals. The pearlite is a silica rock, a naturally occurring type of volcanic glass. Vermiculite and pearlite added to soil and soil mixtures provide structure and improved drainage.
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring group of hydrated laminar minerals called hydrated silicates of magnesium aluminum. Minerals heat up at high temperatures during processing, causing to expand. The vermiculite has a neutral pH of 7.0. Light material holds nutrients, air and humidity while providing good drainage.
On the other hand, on the other side is silica volcanic glass. The volcanic glass is formed when the magma cools down quickly. When the pearlit is heated at high temperatures during processing, the material extends from four to 20 times its volume. The widespread, crushed rock material is commonly used in watering mixtures and soils, providing toAeration around the roots of plants, holds nutrients and moisture and drains well. Parlit, like vermiculite, has a neutral pH.
Vermiculite and pearlite serve similar functions in gardening applications. Soil, compost and other organic watering materials have disintegrated and release important nutrients over time. However, vermiculite and pearlite do not decompose. The use of one of these materials combined with organic watering mixtures creates space between soil particles. Plants then obtain nutrients that need organic material and good drainage and air circulation of inorganic material.
Most garden soil is not suitable for growing plants in containers, as it is generally too heavy for the growth of the container. How compact, roots of plants are starving from oxygen, moisture and nutrients. Good, light watering soil can be created by combining Loamy Garden soil, vermicululite or pearlit,compost and peat in the same parts.
When starting seeds inside or rooting cuts, a sterile environment is important. Microbes in organic materials such as watering soil, compost or garden soil can cause seed and cuttings rot before germinating or forming roots. Mixture without
Unlike organic materials, vermiculite and pearlite do not contain nutrients. When the seeds are started in one of these inorganic materials, fertilizers should be applied soon after the seedlings are discovered. The seeds provide nutrients for the first stages of growth, but developing plants need other nutrients because the nutrients in the seed are exhausted.
vermiculit and pearlit can be used to improve garden soil. Many plants do not grow well in heavy, wet clay soil. Mixing soil with one of these porous rock materials helps to improve the grounds.