Vermiculite v Perlite.

[brownfingers]

Which is better, Vermiculite or Perlite? Fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!

I'm going to add some perlite to my final potting mix for my toms. Would vermiculite have been better?

[snakeshack]

there's truly not much in it but perlite does not break up the way vermiculite does over time

[dilettante]

I like vermiculite, but mostly because I like squishing it.

[bario1]

Someone on the Vine once gave a great tip about where to buy vermiculite in bulk for a fraction of the price it costs in the garden centre - can anyone remember where it was?

[Martin H]

From memory it was somewhere like Travis Perkins. Its other use is as an insulator inside walls etc. So most building supplies places should have big bags of it.

[mothhawk]

Vermiculite absorbs moisture so helps with retaining water when watering. Not sure if perlite does that?

[Alison]

I've used both in the past and found no advantages in using either so don't bother. One less thing to buy / do.

[bario1]

I've found vermiculite mixed into seed sowing compost at about 10-15% stops a hard 'pan' forming on top of the compost. I don't know why.

[goosander]

Was advised to use Vermiculite for covering seed and it has certainly given me far better germination.
Bob

[Bigmallly]

Vermiculite is used for water retention, Perlite is used for aeration.

[mothhawk]

Was advised to use Vermiculite for covering seed and it has certainly given me far better germination.
Bob

Yes, I do the same, it keeps the seeds damp until they sprout.

[maverick451]

I used a lot of vermiculite when I started square foot gardening but it breaks down too quick for the cost imo, I got maybe 2-3 years from it at most

[21up]

vermiculite is used for water retention, perlite is used for aeration.

dead on again mally perlite in compost and vermiculite on top

[Philthy]

I use vermiculite in my potting mix. In the past I've tried adding potting grit, and used the JI blends, but I found over time that compost became too dense and heavy. I think some sort of granular additive is beneficial, as it reduces compaction and capping. The vermiculite has the added benefits of being practically weightless but able to absorb moisture, so pots are slower to dry out in summer.

Think it was Chris11 who recommended Wilko's as another bargain supplier of the stuff if you want smaller quantities.

[Alison]

I use vermiculite in my potting mix. In the past I've tried adding potting grit, and used the JI blends, but I found over time that compost became too dense and heavy. I think some sort of granular additive is beneficial, as it reduces compaction and capping.

Ah, that could explain things. On the rare occaisions I've used JI blends I have found them extremely dense and I genuinely don't like them. Most general multi purpose composts are much better and don't suffer the same problems.