Sometimes “box stores” like Wal-Mart, Home Depot, or Lowes will carry vermiculite. However, they tend to carry only small bags, and they are expensive. It’s better to get them in larger quantities (3 or 4 cubic foot bags), which can sometimes be found at local nurseries or farm co-op stores.
Full Answer
What is vermiculite used for?
Sta-Green Organics Horticultural Vermiculite is a natural soil amendment that loosens heavy soil, improves drainage and promotes robust root growth. We carefully select our vermiculite for consistency, quality and purity. It is ideal for maintaining the right balance of moisture and oxygen for water-loving plants.
Where to buy vermiculite and perlite?
Don't bother with the large box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Wal-Mart) since they often stock only small bags, and may not stock any vermiculite. Garden Centers and greenhouse operations purchase materials from distributors who do stock and carry large bags of perlite and vermiculite, and they might help you and/or sell you materials directly.
Where can I buy vermiculite for my Pool?
Or, you can try local garden centers and/or greenhouses and see if they can get some fine grade vermiculite for you. The grades used for the horticultural industry range from a fine to an extra coarse, and for swimming pools you want the fine grade.
How do you use vermiculite in hydroponics?
Vermiculite can be used either in combination with other soil amendments, such as coconut coir, compost and sphagnum peat moss, or on its own in a soulless hydroponic garden. Promotes faster seed germination and proper aeration for superior root growth
Where is vermiculite found?
How old are vermiculite deposits?
Who makes Perlite and Vermiculite?
Can you use perlite in landscaping?
Does Stansbury Mining have a domain name?
Is vermiculite used in pool?
See 3 more
Is perlite the same as vermiculite?
The biggest difference between vermiculite and perlite is moisture retention. When making the perlite vs. vermiculite decision, keep in mind that differences between the two include the fact that vermiculite contains nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, which perlite doesn't have.
What can I use instead of vermiculite?
Alternatives to VermiculitePeat. Peat (also known as peat moss) is light and holds moisture well but not does not stay soggy. ... Coir. Coir is coconut dust. ... Perlite. Like vermiculite, perlite is an inorganic matter added to the garden to improve water drainage and permeability. ... Sawdust. ... Shredded Hardwood Bark or Wood Chips.
What is vermiculite used for?
Vermiculite helps to aerate soil while simultaneously retaining water and nutrients, which it then releases over time. Vermiculite is therefore useful in seed sowing and propagation. It can also be added to house plant compost.
Can you purchase vermiculite?
If you've been looking for where to buy vermiculite for sale, Air Sea Containers offers low prices on vermiculite for businesses and hobbyists alike. Our vermiculite is available in grade 4A extra-coarse, which is ideal for soil aeration, and grade 3A and 3C coarse, which offers more water retention.
What is better vermiculite or perlite?
Both perlite and vermiculite have neutral pH levels and retain water well. Vermiculite, however, has a reputation for holding a greater amount of water than perlite does. Therefore, perlite would be a better choice for desert climates where succulents grow or for plants like rhododendrons that require less moisture.
Is there a vermiculite shortage?
Vermiculite – Vermiculite (and to a lesser degree, perlite) is a challenge even during normal times due to the fact that production is a challenge. We anticipate extreme shortage of the material this year, with total unavailability for the first half of the year a real possibility.
What are the disadvantages of vermiculite?
Disadvantages of Vermiculite: Stays too wet. Bacteria and fungus thrive in the moist environment, and negatively affect any plants grown in it. Vermiculite is often expensive and difficult to find. Unsustainable.
How long does vermiculite last?
Vermiculite does not expire.
How safe is vermiculite?
Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is perfectly safe when pure. Unfortunately, an estimated 75 percent of it came from Libby, Montana, where it usually was contaminated with toxic amphibole asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly cancer.
Where do you find vermiculite?
Locations of the four major historical vermiculite ore sources (in bold) for the U.S. market including Libby, Montana; Louisa, Virginia; Enoree district, South Carolina; and Palabora, South Africa.
What grade of vermiculite is best for gardening?
Vermiculite comes in several grades For starting seeds and growing on seedlings, a fine or medium grade is best, with a coarse vermiculite being used in potting soil mixes for older plants.
How do you add vermiculite to soil?
Use 1/3 to 1/2 vermiculite in your potting soil for containers or when building your raised beds, or improve your garden soil by adding it in the spring with your other soil amendments and compost. For new lawns, spread a 1/4 inch layer evenly around the planted area just after you seed it, then irrigate well.
Can I use sand instead of vermiculite?
There is no reason to avoid using sand, unless you will be moving the containers frequently. Sand adds a considerable amount of weight but IMO does a better job at aeration than perlite/vermiculite. Perlite also tends to float to the top and grow nasty green algae/mold. I switched over to sand a few years ago.
Can you replace vermiculite with perlite?
Perlite and vermiculite are both used to improve moisture retention and aeration in soil. They are used in a similar manner, but they are not interchangeable.
What can I use if I don't have perlite?
What is a good substitute for perlite?Rice husks.Pumice.Horticultural grit.Granite gravel.Vermiculite.Calcined clay.Bark.Peat.More items...
Can I use peat moss instead of vermiculite?
Vermiculite and peat moss are often used in conjunction to increase the water- and air-holding capacity of a growing medium. A ratio of 1 part peat moss to 2 parts vermiculite is a common formulation, plus the addition of other ingredients, depending on the purpose of the medium.
Vermiculite, Wholesale Vermiculite, Bulk Vermiculite in Stock - ULINE
Uline stocks a wide selection of Vermiculite. Order by 6 p.m. for same day shipping. Huge Catalog! Over 40,000 products in stock. 12 Locations across USA, Canada and Mexico for fast delivery of Vermiculite.
2 cu. ft. Organic Vermiculite Soil Amendment - The Home Depot
Vermiculite is an organic, asbestos-free soil amendment that promotes faster root growth and gives quick anchorage to young roots. Vermiculite helps retain air, plant food and moisture, releasing them
Vermiculite Grade 3, Coarse, 4-Cu. Ft. Bag - The Cary Company
This expanded vermiculite (granular ) loose fill aggregate is a coarse grade size material. Grade 3 vermiculite is suitable for chemical shipping and protects bottled liquid. The absence of fines makes it ideal for use with smaller packaging, while also creating less dust. It is also used as a growing media and cover for seed topping. As a natural mica mineral, it works as a soil additive to ...
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What is vermiculite used for?
Vermiculite is used in a variety of ways, including gardening, insulation, and construction. It has a high water-holding capacity, which makes it ideal for use in gardens and potted plants. Vermiculite can also be used to insulate attics and walls. It is also used in construction as a lightweight aggregate.
What do you mix vermiculite with?
Vermiculite is often mixed with other amendments, such as composted bark, peat moss, or perlite, to create a potting mix.
How safe is vermiculite?
Vermiculite has been used in many household and construction products for many years. In general, vermiculite is considered to be a safe material. However, some types of vermiculite ore may contain asbestos fibers. Asbestos is known to cause lung cancer and other serious health problems.
Does vermiculite still contain asbestos?
As the answer may vary depending on the source of the vermiculite. However, it is generally accepted that vermiculite that was mined in the United States before 1990 may contain asbestos, while vermiculite from other sources is unlikely to contain asbestos.
What percentage of vermiculite has asbestos?
But it is estimated that about 1% of all vermiculite contains asbestos.
What does coarse vermiculite look like?
Coarse vermiculite is a type of soil amendment made from a type of rock. It is insoluble in water and has a crumbly texture.
What grade of vermiculite is for gardening?
The bigger the grade number, the finer the vermiculite. For gardening, use a grade 4 or finer.
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Burpee natural and organic coarse grade horticultural vermiculite is a lightweight amendments that improves moisture and nutrient retention. Coarse grade vermiculite is an ideal amendment for custom blend growing mixes for raised garden beds, square foot gardening, container gardening and seed starting.
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How much does a 2 pound bag of vermiculite cost?from gardenbeast.com
Vermiculite is relatively inexpensive, and readily available, with a 2-pound bag costing around $11. Check out online retailers, but make sure they are offering free delivery with your purchase.
Why use vermiculite in soilless potting mix?from thespruce.com
The product is: Lightweight. Highly absorbent. Its particles absorb water and nutrients (which must still be supplied) and retain them in a soilless potting mix.
How to grow vermiculite in a container?from gardenbeast.com
If you’re growing in a very small container, add both the vermiculite and the soil to a plastic bag, and then shake it up to mix the two. After mixing the two substrates, you can transfer plants to your container, or start sowing your seeds.
How to get vermiculite out of pot?from gardenbeast.com
Rip open the bag of vermiculite and use your hands to scoop it out into the pot. Take a rough estimate of the 25% mark, and then pour in the soil on top of the vermiculite. Work the soil and the vermiculite together using your hands, ensuring that you get an even distribution of the two materials.
How to use vermiculite for plants?from gardenbeast.com
Add the vermiculite to your soil for lightening and conditioning in conjunction with compost or peat, or alone. This strategy accelerates the growth and development of the plant’s root systems. Using vermiculite for your plants growing medium also helps the plant with absorbing minerals like potassium, ammonium, magnesium, and calcium from the soil.
Why is vermiculite sterile?from thespruce.com
Plus, the fact that it is sterile means that gardeners do not have to worry that the vermiculite is harboring pathogens that could kill their plants. Vermiculite is silvery-gray and flaky. In fact, it is so light that you can move the little particles by blowing on them.
Why do you need to water vermiculite?from gardenbeast.com
Vermiculite suits growing hot climates, where gardeners need to water their flowerbeds frequently to ensure the soil is moist. Adding vermiculite to your land in these types of goring conditions ensures that the roots of your plants are always airy and moist.
Where is vermiculite found?
It is found in various parts of the world, but currently the major mines are located in South Africa, China, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and the United States. The largest operating mines today are located in the Palabora region of North-Eastern Transvaal in South Africa, in the northwestern corners of China, and along the eastern Appalachian range in the United States (Virginia and South Carolina). The vermiculite ores from these mines are different forms of hydrated phlogopite or biotite mica which has the remarkable ability of being able to expand to many times its original volume when heated---a property known as exfoliation.
How old are vermiculite deposits?
From a geological perspective, almost all of the commercial vermiculite mines operating today work in deposits which were formed in pre-Cambrian and Archean deposits (1.5-3.0 billion years old). These are quite different from the former Libby, Montana deposit which was Triassic in age (225 million years old).
Who makes Perlite and Vermiculite?
The Schundler Company ---Perlite and Vermiculite Products since 1951 , or
Can you use perlite in landscaping?
Sometimes products like our Soilac (for use in outdoor gardens and for landscaping) simply are not available from horticultural distributors. For these grades of perlite, you might want to contact local masonry supply stores and ask for perlite (NOT vermiculite) masonry wall, loose fill insulation. It's usually dusty, gritty, and just what you want for your garden (the fine particles keep the clay loam soils from compacting, and hold significant amounts of water.)
Does Stansbury Mining have a domain name?
If you came to this page looking for Stansbury Mining Company, they did have this domain name for several years.
Is vermiculite used in pool?
Nevertheless, vermiculite continues to be used by professional pool contractors, by large greenhouse growers, by industrial fireproofing manufacturers and applicators, by installers of insulation, by industrial manufacturers and commercial businesses.
What is vermiculite used for?
Vermiculite has the excellent property of improving soil aeration while retaining the moisture and nutrients necessary to feed roots, cuttings, and seeds for faster growth.
Is vermiculite good for soil?
Vermiculite has the excellent property of improving soil aeration while retaining the moisture and nutrients necessary to feed roots, This product cannot be ordered at the moment. Horticultural grade Vermiculite has become a mainstay as a component of soil less growing mediums, as a soil amendment and in many other horticultural uses. ...
Where is vermiculite found?
It is found in various parts of the world, but currently the major mines are located in South Africa, China, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and the United States. The largest operating mines today are located in the Palabora region of North-Eastern Transvaal in South Africa, in the northwestern corners of China, and along the eastern Appalachian range in the United States (Virginia and South Carolina). The vermiculite ores from these mines are different forms of hydrated phlogopite or biotite mica which has the remarkable ability of being able to expand to many times its original volume when heated---a property known as exfoliation.
How old are vermiculite deposits?
From a geological perspective, almost all of the commercial vermiculite mines operating today work in deposits which were formed in pre-Cambrian and Archean deposits (1.5-3.0 billion years old). These are quite different from the former Libby, Montana deposit which was Triassic in age (225 million years old).
Who makes Perlite and Vermiculite?
The Schundler Company ---Perlite and Vermiculite Products since 1951 , or
Can you use perlite in landscaping?
Sometimes products like our Soilac (for use in outdoor gardens and for landscaping) simply are not available from horticultural distributors. For these grades of perlite, you might want to contact local masonry supply stores and ask for perlite (NOT vermiculite) masonry wall, loose fill insulation. It's usually dusty, gritty, and just what you want for your garden (the fine particles keep the clay loam soils from compacting, and hold significant amounts of water.)
Does Stansbury Mining have a domain name?
If you came to this page looking for Stansbury Mining Company, they did have this domain name for several years.
Is vermiculite used in pool?
Nevertheless, vermiculite continues to be used by professional pool contractors, by large greenhouse growers, by industrial fireproofing manufacturers and applicators, by installers of insulation, by industrial manufacturers and commercial businesses.
