PlantIt Vermiculite

PLANT!T – Vermiculite

• Excellent water holding capabilities
• Excellent addition to sandy soils or dried out earth
• Protects against adverse weather and aids re-wetting
• Its retention of water makes it good for sustaining the growth of seeds
• Plant It Vermiculite, is Great for propagation and water retention
• Available in 5l, 10l, 25l, 50l & 100l
• Please note 5l, 10l, 25l, 50l  will come decanted into black sacks

Overview

For propagation and water retention

Another firm favourite with keen gardeners is vermiculite. When you want to retain water, then add vermiculite to your chosen media.

PLANT!T^® Vermiculite is a natural, sterile soft mica mineral with great water holding and insulation properties. It also offers a high cation exchange capacity, which means that it will slowly release nutrients back to your plan that it has absorbed during watering. Using PLANT!T^® Vermiculite can also aid propagation when used as a top layer, as it reduces evaporation and can help ensure the seed case is lost.

Using PLANT!T^® Vermiculite also reduces plant stress in extreme weather conditions due to its insulation properties. PLANT!T^® Vermiculite is easy and safe to handle, odourless, lightweight and simple to use.

Usage:

Use 1 part vermiculite to 10 parts of compost (we recommend a 2-litre bucket as a measure) plus selected fertiliser mixture.

Typical usage:

• Propagation from seed – its retention of water makes it good for sustaining the growth of seeds
• Potting compost for container planting – it retains moisture, protects against adverse weather and aids re-wetting
• Soil conditioning – its excellent water holding capabilities makes it an excellent addition to sandy or poor soils

Conversions: 1 Teaspoon = 5mL  |  1 Tablespoon = 15 mL  |  1 Ounce = 30mL  |  1 Cup = 240 mL

The Science

Vermiculite can be found in potting soil or purchased by itself in four different sizes for gardening with vermiculite. Germinate seeds using the smallest size of vermiculite as a growing medium and the largest size for improved soil aeration.

Vermiculite is the name of a group of hydrated laminar minerals (aluminium-iron magnesium silicates) which look like mica. Horticultural vermiculite is processed with massive heat that expands it into accordion shaped pellets composed of multiple layers of thin plates. It will not rot, deteriorate, or mould and is enduring, odourless, non-toxic and sterile.

Vermiculite is generally a neutral 7.0 but is dependent upon the source from around the globe and its reaction is alkaline. It is very lightweight and mixes easily with other mediums.

Vermiculite Uses

Vermiculite added to the garden or vermiculite in potting soil increases water and nutrient retention and aerates the soil, resulting in healthier, more robust plants. Perlite may also be found in potting soils, but vermiculite is far superior for water retention. Vermiculite, although less aerating than perlite, is the amendment of choice for water-loving plants. Here are other uses for vermiculite:

• Add vermiculite to the soil for conditioning and lighting either alone or in conjunction with peat or compost. This will accelerate the growth and promote anchorage for tender young root systems.

• Using vermiculite as a growing medium will also enable the plant to more easily absorb the ammonium, potassium, calcium and magnesium necessary for vigorous growth.

• Medium grade vermiculite can be used directly for root cuttings. Just water thoroughly and insert the cutting up to the node.

• Use vermiculite alone or mixed with soil or peat for seed germination. This will allow seeds to germinate more rapidly. If vermiculite is used without soil, feed the seedlings a weak fertilizer solution (1 tablespoon of soluble fertilizer per 1 gallon of water) once the first leaves appear. Damping off is thwarted since vermiculite is sterile and the seedlings are easily removed without damage to the roots.

• Vermiculite mixed half and half with soil, peat or compost eliminates flattened down soil in flower pots and houseplant containers while allowing excellent aeration, reducing watering frequency and allowing root spread.

• To transplant using vermiculite, dig a hole 6 inches larger than the plants’ roots. Fill in with a mix of vermiculite and the removed topsoil. Again, this allows for root spread, provides moisture control and protects the roots from drying out due to sun or wind. Three inches of vermiculite can also be used as mulch around shrubs and other garden plants like roses, dahlias, tomatoes.

• Place bulbs or root crops in a container and pour the vermiculite around them. The sponge-like quality of the vermiculite will absorb any excess moisture and prevent rot or mildew while protecting them from temperature fluxes.

• Even newly seeded lawns can benefit from an application of vermiculite. Mix 3 cubic feet of vermiculite per 100 square feet, seed, then cover the entire area with a ¼ inch of vermiculite. Water in with a fine spray. The vermiculite will hasten germination and increase the number of seeds that germinate while maintaining moisture and protecting from drying and heat.

• Lastly, vermiculite can be used when arranging flowers. Fill the container with vermiculite, thoroughly saturated with water, pour off the excess and arrange the flowers. This eliminates the need to change the water, eliminates spills and keeps blooms fresh for the day. Just be sure to use horticultural vermiculite and not that sold for house insulation — it is treated to repel water!

Testimonials

Linkx:

“By the look of the image the bag isn’t all that big, but bigger than the pathetic extortionate little bags from the garden centre. What a surprise when this turned up! First thing I thought of was the size of the old potato sacks we used to get years ago from the farmer. This one hell of a lot of vermiculite and if this doesnt keep you going, nothing will.”

Ginny Chick:

“Excellent to get such a huge bag of vermiculite at a very reasonable price per litre compared with smaller bags. Will last me a long time and my seedlings and cuttings have benefitted greatly this summer. I’ve mixed it 50/50 with John Innes 3 for strawberries in containers as well, and they’ve all romped away happily.
Open carefully, the plastic bag I arrived covered by another one, sealed lengthways, and in opening it I accidentally slit the inner bag! Luckily I re- sealed the bag with duck tape before I lost the lot!”

Mr Mills:

“ This is the first time that I have mixed up my own growing compost and I am seeing good results already. I use a third of sieved compost mixed with a third of grit sand and a third of vermiculite. The vermiculite and grit sand make it easier to pull out fragile seedling roots when potting on. I have already used half of the vermiculite and will certainly be getting another bag.“

About PLANT!T

Why Choose PLANT!T

PLANT!T® offers a range of products for your indoor and outdoor growing needs. New from PLANT!T® is a range of hydroponic growing systems designed to help you gain optimum results and success.

The PLANT!T® range of hydroponic systems comprises of the PLANT!T® Gemini – a recirculating hydroponic system (a 1 plant system), the PLANT!T® Aeros – an aerated Deep Water Culture hydroponic system (available in 1 plant or 2 plant options and in a 4 plant recirculating option), the PLANT!T® titan, a table-based flood & drain hydroponic system (available in 4 sizes) and the PLANT!T® atlas, a table-based recirculating drip irrigation system (available in 12L pot, 18L pot and dripper only options).

All PLANT!T® hydroponic systems have been designed to the highest specifications to ensure that not only do they perform with excellent results, but they also look stylish too. The range is easy to set up, operate and maintain. PLANT!T® hydroponic systems are suitable for all types of a gardener, including commercial growers, keen hobbyists and even those new to gardening.

All of the PLANT!T® hydroponic systems are designed and manufactured for quick and easy assembly.

With PLANT!T® hydroponic systems, growing bigger and better plants has never been so easy.

Why choose PLANT!T® hydroponic systems:

Excellent results
Stylish design to utilise any given growing space
Manufactured using quality materials

Where to use PLANT!T® hydroponic systems

These systems can be used in commercial greenhouses, nurseries, schools, offices, greenhouses, sheds and at home. They are quiet running and can be placed anywhere in the home such as the kitchen, dining room, hallway, living room or conservatory.