Good afternoon, my reader. Vermiculite is also found among other components and additives used in plant growing. Let's figure out what it is, what it is for, and how to use it.
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What is vermiculite
Vermiculite is a mineral, hydromica (that is, mica that has undergone weathering and erosion). It has the highest moisture absorption coefficient (400 ml of water per 100 g of weight), while it is very loose and porous, which is why it can be used as a component of soil mixtures or as a base for hydroponic substrates.
In addition, it is rich in plant nutrients:
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- aluminum;
- potassium;
- iron;
- silicon.
All these substances can be absorbed by plants.
Use in agronomy
Vermiculite is mainly used as a seed germination substrate. In addition, when transplanting seedlings into the soil, it is also useful if you add it to the soil mixture.
Outdoors, it is used for:
- absorption of excess moisture (drainage of the site);
- improving soil structure;
- soil enrichment
The best option is a 1: 1 mixture of vermiculite and high-moor peat. This mixture is safe for the seedling and rich enough for germination.
Hydroponics
Although plants can grow in nutrient solution without soil, the lack of soil causes a number of problems. Vermiculite is ideal here: a sterile environment that absorbs moisture, rich in minerals, but does not contain nitrogen.
How to use vermiculite
First of all, it is necessary to work with vermiculite in a respirator or a medical mask: it is very easy to dust and irritate the lungs.
In addition, it is necessary to water the plants on it with soft water - thawed, rain or, better, distilled water. As a last resort, boiling or filtration can be used.
REFERENCE: The mineral has no expiration date. It is eternal.
Mineral benefits
Vermiculite improves the soil due to the following properties:
- Moisture retention. On salt marshes, it will not allow too much salt to come out.
- Buffer properties. Fertilizer solutions accumulate and last longer.
- The mineral is partially dissolved in the soil, and the plants receive useful substances.
- He drains the bed - and root rot and other diseases, due to high moisture, appear less.
- The acidity of the soil decreases.
Basically, vermiculite is needed for seedlings and seeds. It is useful in compost or mixed with liquid fertilizers. Finally, you can store the crop in dry powder: if you cover the fruits with a layer of minerals, they will be stored many times longer.
You can use vermiculite on the site in its pure form (which is not particularly desirable: it is easily crushed and carried away with a bucket before how the site will be dug or plowed up), or mixed with peat, humus, sand, clay and other soil components.
IMPORTANT: Before using pure vermiculite or mixtures based on it - consult a soil scientist and order a soil analysis on the site. In extreme cases, a primitive analysis can be done independently: an extract (solution) of the soil plus a set of litmus tests will show the approximate level of acidity - and if it is too high, vermiculite will be extremely useful for all crops, except for garden blueberries: it just needs acidified soil and grassland peat as a substrate for cultivation.
Do you use vermiculite?
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