Originally posted by selfraising
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Vermiculite as seed covering..
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I never use it. I had some idea (though I can't remember where I got it from) that the mining of the stuff left a lot to be desired. As I don't need it, I don't use it. Stuff comes up anyway!Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.
www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring
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Originally posted by Flummery View PostI had some idea (though I can't remember where I got it from) that the mining of the stuff left a lot to be desired.
edit Yes, it was Vermiculite
Vermiculite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaLast edited by Kristen; 26-01-2011, 11:01 AM.K's Garden blog the story of the creation of our garden
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Originally posted by Kristen View PostUsed to be associated with mining Asbestos (although that might be Perlite, haven't double checked), and the miners were at risk. Supposedly not the case any more, but ... its still a finite non-renewable resource.
edit Yes, it was Vermiculite
Vermiculite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vermiculite mines throughout the world are now regularly tested for it and are supposed to sell products that contain no asbestos. The former vermiculite mine in Libby, Montana, did have tremolite asbestos as well as winchite and richterite (both fibrous amphiboles) — in fact, it was formed underground through essentially the same geologic processes as the contaminants. A vermiculite mine in Virginia has also been found to be contaminated by asbestos.[6]
Pure vermiculite does not contain asbestos and is non-toxic, but it can become contaminated over long periods if there is a presence of a secondary mineral called diopside. After millions of years of weathering, the biotite turns into vermiculite and the diopside turns into asbestos.
I think its great for stopping the surface of seed compost getting too damp and causing damping off of seedlings.To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower
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And I still think you don't need it. I've never used it and I don't get any germination or growth problems.Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.
www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring
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You are probably right. Most of the stuff I sow germinates as soon as my back is turned ...
But for things that I have grown in the past, before I used Vermiculite, that took longer to germinate the surface went green and germination was poor - dunno if Vermiculite would have made any difference, but next time I have some slow-germinators to do I'll do a half-and-half testK's Garden blog the story of the creation of our garden
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I suspect I'm just an idle beggar but I always try to do things the simplest way first!Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.
www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring
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Originally posted by andyturner1978 View PostIs this the same as perlite? Is it a case of simply laying the seeds ontop of the compost and then the vermiculite before watering in?
One is made from a mineral which is 'popcorned' if my memory serves me right. This creates a light, absorbent granule...
Thanks for your answers folks, some very detailed!
JMLast edited by jessmorris; 27-01-2011, 08:15 PM.
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could not agree more!
Originally posted by oldie View PostUsually get mine from Wilko's. Much cheaper than Garden Superstore marginally cheaper than Hydroponics.
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