Perlite & Vermiculite Combo

The perlite & vermiculite combo is another common growing medium used in hydroponics systems. Hydroponics is a type of technique used for growing plants. Instead of using soil, hydroponics systems make use of different growing media to support plant growth. That way, pesticides and soil-borne diseases can be avoided.

Among the many types of growing media is the perlite & vermiculite combo. These minerals can also be used separately, though their properties are quite the same. Here are a few facts about perlite that you may find useful. Perlite actually comes from a volcanic rock. It has to be heated in very high temperature to reduce its weight before it is used for hydroponics gardening. After the heat treatment, perlite properties will be changed, becoming lighter and adopting the appearance of glass pebbles. It can be used loosely in water or can be held with plastic under water. Perlite for hydroponics functions to lessen the density in potting soil.

Horticultural perlite can hold more air than water and it gives better support for your plants. Plants need carbon dioxide, and since perlite can hold more air, it enhances the growth of plants. Aside from horticultural purposes, perlite can also be used for construction and industrial applications, such as in perlite insulation. Same goes with vermiculite insulation.

To complete the study of perlite & vermiculite combo, you should find out what is vermiculite. Vermiculite is generally similar to perlite for hydroponics. The horticultural uses of vermiculite are also similar to perlite. Horticultural vermiculite is also an effective medium to replace soil. If you are looking at soil vs. vermiculite, hydroponics itself has a number of advantages compared to the use of soil.

Vermiculite is a mineral that has the same properties as perlite. When the two are heated at very high temperatures, they expand in size. In fact, the volumes of both may expand from four to twenty times the original size. Depending on the duration of heating treatment, you may arrive at different forms such as coarse vermiculite, crushed vermiculite, or fine vermiculite. However, unlike perlite, vermiculite can contain more water. The perlite & vermiculite combo is favored as a growing medium because vermiculite draws more water and nutrients, with perlite added to lower water retention.

If you want to buy vermiculite or perlite, there are a lot of sources of coarse vermiculite or perlite, as well as the fine and crushed ones, at your local gardening centers.