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Wed, May 16, 12 at 23:37
| Is vermiculite good or bad to use in a succulent mix? I want to make sure I make the right mix for my plants. Just confused on what I should be using after reading so many posts. I have a huge bad of vermiculite and am hoping it would be good at add to my potting soil.
Thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by Microthrix none (My Page) on Wed, May 16, 12 at 23:46
| Umm isnt that what they use for plant mix at the stores? If so i wouldnt use it ... since cacti like to dry out between watering it dries up and forms a block that doesnt absorb and more water and it just washes by it ... and then your cactus never recieves water again ... |
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- Posted by Microthrix none (My Page) on Wed, May 16, 12 at 23:52
| Or maybe im Thinking of peat ... but heres a link to a similar post ... |
Here is a link that might be useful: other post
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- Posted by Beachplants Z11 (My Page) on Thu, May 17, 12 at 0:09
| I have used perlite and vermiculite for many years. I prefer large grain perlite, as vermiculite can have various effects on soil pH. I do not use more than say 20% if I use it. It does help with aeration insulation, but degrades quicker than perlite I believe. Here is a link that would require some reading, but there is lots of info. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Perlite & vermiculite
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- Posted by Microthrix none (My Page) on Thu, May 17, 12 at 0:19
| Woah beach where do you even start on that o_o |
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| Very informative link, Rian. I've been told that vermiculite is a fine addition to soil when used as Rian suggested. I don't use it only because it's much more expensive than other materials available. Many of us mix our own soil and everyone does it a little differently. You can try to follow the 'gritty mix' guidelines but I haven't been able to acquire all the ingredients. What I do is to sift all the fines out of each of my components with a large wire strainer. I start with either bagged cactus soil or regular potting soil. I add volcanic pumice and Napa oil absorbent, together making up about 50%. After sifting our all the fines, this mix is a little too gritty, a little rough in my opinion. I like to add fines back into the mix in the form of coco peat which does not become hydrophobic. I don't add much, but enough to add some buffer between all the sharp grit. I don't really measure anything, just shoot for a certain texture. |
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- Posted by cactusjordi z10 CA (My Page) on Sat, May 19, 12 at 0:10
| I think at Uline the Vermiculite is not too expensive. Because such a 4 cu. ft. bag makes a lot of soil mix. Jordi |
Here is a link that might be useful: Vermiculite
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| Thanks Jordi! I have their catalog! |
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