Substitute for vermiculite?

[jules07]

I germinated my seeds by covering the surface of the seed compost with a thin layer of vermiculite, which seemed to work a lot better than last year when I didn't use it. Unfortunately I realised that I had no idea what vermiculite was - didn't even know if it was mineral or vegetable - so I had a look on Wikipedia and it turns out it's mined (so non renewable), proccessed in furnaces so produces loads of CO2, the mining operation exposes people nearby to asbestos and on top of that it's shipped all the way over from America. So one thin layer of vermiculite has probably cancelled out all the environmental benefits of my gardening It's too late for this year, but I either need a substitute for vermiculite or a new system for germinating seeds. Any suggestions???

[Sue]

Jules
I'm ashamed to say I never enquired about where it came from, how it was manufactured etc, thanks for letting us know, that 's the last time I use it.
And don't know of a substitute, perhaps someone else can help?
Sue

[Madasafish]

light sand?

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks for that Jules. I just assumed it was sort of organic and didn't ask. Have to say that my plants have done better this year as a result of using it, so knowledge of an alternative would be good.

[Alice]

Oh Jules, thanks for telling us that. I had no idea and won't be using it again. If you've just been using the vermiculite for covering your seeds (as I do - no did) then just use sieved compost. The pound shop have sieves just now. Absolutely no use for riddling a compost heap or anything heavy duty, but will be fine for sieving compost to give you lump free stuff for covering seeds.

If you used it mixed with your soil you could use Perlite instead. But check it out - it may be worse than the Vermiculite. I've never used it as it looks so manufactured.

[terrier]

I believe Perlite and Vermiculite are the same substance. If anyone is interested in finding out about Vermiculite click on this link:

http://www.vermiculite.net/

[nick the grief]

Perlite is expanded silica but is similarly produced

http://www.william-sinclair.co.uk/In...FShEEAodo3Yzmg

The main problem in finding a substitute is that it allows light through vital for some seeds but it traps warm , moist air. I know in cacti growing they use Tesco's premium cat litter as this is a sort of volcanic pumice type stuff and if you get it wet it doesn't go slimy like the cheaper stuff I guess you could try that crushed up a bit to give finer particalls

[libbyloulou]

what about the tiny polystyrene balls, recycle ? does it have the properties needed ?

[nick the grief]

I don;t think it will absorb water the same LL

[libbyloulou]

.........

[terrier]

what about the tiny polystyrene balls, recycle ? does it have the properties needed ?

I did try it a few years ago. The seeds did germinate and polystyrene does help to retain warmth but it did nothing to retain moisture. I tried spraying lightly with water but as I sprayed, the polystyrene blew away. I gave that experiment up as a bad job.

[Snadger]

I think some cat litter is calcined clay which as far as I know is heat treated clay!
It was used on areas with drainage problems where slits were cut in field and filled with calcined clay. When there was a lot of surface water it helped to get rid of it and conversely when there was drought conditions it held water!
I don't know whether they still use it for this but it seems to have similar properties to Perlite or Vermiculite and should be a reasonable substitute?

PS You often get a litle bag of it in with any new item you buy as it absorbs water and stops rotting or rust on steel etc!

PPS Cripes knows where it comes from though!

[libbyloulou]

I think some cat litter is calcined clay which as far as I know is heat treated clay!
It was used on areas with drainage problems where slits were cut in field and filled with calcined clay. When there was a lot of surface water it helped to get rid of it and conversely when there was drought conditions it held water!
I don't know whether they still use it for this but it seems to have similar properties to Perlite or Vermiculite and should be a reasonable substitute?

PS You often get a litle bag of it in with any new item you buy as it absorbs water and stops rotting or rust on steel etc!

PPS Cripes knows where it comes from though!

Are you on about silica ? sand. or am i on the wrong track, (as usual )

[Flummery]

I just use a light sprinkle of compost. Never had a problem. Too tight to buy vermiculite!

[dexterdoglancashire]

I never knew that about vermiculite either! Thanks for the lesson in the production of cat litter - I shall read it to my two cats Ramsey and Crosby later! Always have a sack or four in the house so will give it a try! Bernie