Thank you for this excellent informative video! 🙂 Istm that both perlite & vermiculite are very hard & scratchy & they irritate the tender roots of plants, much like how a particle placed inside an oyster's shell causes irritation to the oyster's body that ultimately results in the creation of a pearl. But it's not easy to find planting soil that doesn't contain it! My pointsettia was in poor shape after 1 1/2 years & 1 re-potting: i unpotted it yesterday, & its orginal shape of the root clump appeared the same as it was in the beginning. As i gently began working on the dense clump to try & separate the tender roots, all these pieces of vermiculite & perlite were falling out. There was a dense hard clump near the base of the pointsettia - it contained large pieces of vermiculite, with perlite clinging to the tender root strands hanging below. I suspect there are still some large pieces of the sharp abrasive stuff trapped in that clump that i'm going to try to relieve my poor pointsettia of today! It's no good!
Neither perlite nor vermiculite cause damage to plant roots. You can’t find soil without perlite added because the perlite is necessary. Plants are not designed to be planted in containers. Because we are taking them out of their natural environment into a pot, soil additives are necessary. This is also why fertilization and (sometimes) grow lights are necessary. In fact, all the general “potting soil” that you can get is not nearly chunky enough and can EASILY cause root rot. If it weren’t for the perlite added it would be even worse. Hope this helped.
I learned a lot Thanks great Especially good when you summed up, I hope you now know the difference between perlite and vermiculite - pointing to the wrong ones, almost sent me back to square one LOL
Hello, If I am using Espoma organic seed starter for my seedling trays for my veggies do I need to add vermiculite? I think the Espoma has perlite in it to I didn’t know if they can be combined? Thanks for the video.
Commercial potting soil often has white nodules in it that I've always assumed were styrofoam. Is that a possibility and does it serve a similar purpose? Or does it just help with compaction?
Those lightweight fluffy white nodules are Perlite. Perlite is a common additive to many commercially bought soil mixes. Styrofoam is made of petroleum and can leach chemicals into the environment harming water sources. Please do not use styrofoam in your garden.
please tell me what i have to use if my soil does absorb water I water them for 5 minutes and when i check it dry and not wet ? how do I fix this problem thanks
It sounds like vermiculite or amending with peat moss or other organic matter such as mature compost might help with water retention. You might additionally add a layer of mulch to the top of your soil to help limit evaporation. I hope this helps!
Can I use 1/4 perlite in bottom of wicking pot ,and 1/2 potting mix and 1/4 vermiculite for celery seeds to grow. Or should i have vermiculite on bottom and perlite on top.Thanks
Most suggest Mix 1 part peat, coir, or peat-based potting mix, 1 part Perlite or Expanded Shale, and 1 part Vermiculite. You shouldn't have to layer it as a mixture will better aid in even distribution of moisture and minerals. Celery in particular enjoys nutrient rich soil, so adding compost to the mix will aid in the plants health long term.
Actually, neither. Aged compost would be the best thing to add to dense soil for planting potatoes. It will not only enhance the soil’s texture but also enrich it. Make sure to mix it well as you want to avoid clumps of unmixed compost to come into direct contact with your seed potatoes.
@@PlantLifeYT My soil is rich enough and then some. I have no problems getting the potatoes to grow, it's reproducing other potatoes that's the problem. I live in arizona and I've been feeding my backyard tablescraps, dogpoop, and chicken poop for decades. Everyone I've talked to about the problem (including people at the gardening store) say that since nutrients, sun, and water are not the problem, it's the soil density (soil hardness), and I need something that puffs up like sponge.
The problem you are trying to address is the density of your soil. You want it to be more loamy. Perlite helps with drainage, so it will be helpful with moving moisture and nutrients through the soil if it is retaining too much water. Vermiculite aids in water retention so it will help it your soil drains too quickly. Compost, mulch, and leaf debris can help change the texture of your soil which sounds like what you are looking for as the material has larger pieces with a spongy texture that will reduce compaction of the soil. If you don’t have access to those things then perlite should be ok.
@@kestane123chesmo 😂😂😂😂😂 I'm sorry but that had me howling! Little nook and cranny are just little voids or holes. For example ... you need to look in every nook and cranny. Meaning look in all those places things might get lost.
Vermiculite is typically in the neutral pH range but like most organic materials can vary. If working with plants that are sensitive to pH, then it is a good idea to either purchase a product with its pH indicated or to test it.
She does an absolutely outstanding job of explaining the differences between the two and when to use each. Two Thumbs Up!
Thank you! 😊
Thank you. Really helpful for my try with mushrooms.
Thank you for this excellent informative video! 🙂 Istm that both perlite & vermiculite are very hard & scratchy & they irritate the tender roots of plants, much like how a particle placed inside an oyster's shell causes irritation to the oyster's body that ultimately results in the creation of a pearl. But it's not easy to find planting soil that doesn't contain it! My pointsettia was in poor shape after 1 1/2 years & 1 re-potting: i unpotted it yesterday, & its orginal shape of the root clump appeared the same as it was in the beginning. As i gently began working on the dense clump to try & separate the tender roots, all these pieces of vermiculite & perlite were falling out. There was a dense hard clump near the base of the pointsettia - it contained large pieces of vermiculite, with perlite clinging to the tender root strands hanging below. I suspect there are still some large pieces of the sharp abrasive stuff trapped in that clump that i'm going to try to relieve my poor pointsettia of today! It's no good!
Neither perlite nor vermiculite cause damage to plant roots. You can’t find soil without perlite added because the perlite is necessary.
Plants are not designed to be planted in containers. Because we are taking them out of their natural environment into a pot, soil additives are necessary. This is also why fertilization and (sometimes) grow lights are necessary.
In fact, all the general “potting soil” that you can get is not nearly chunky enough and can EASILY cause root rot. If it weren’t for the perlite added it would be even worse. Hope this helped.
Thanks for the Great informations. Its useful.
You are welcome!
THANKS FOR THIS INFORMATION
I learned a lot Thanks great
Especially good when you summed up, I hope you now know the difference between perlite and vermiculite - pointing to the wrong ones, almost sent me back to square one LOL
Ha! That was a test to see if you were paying attention 🤓😉
Véry informative video thanks
Thanks, very useful
You're welcome!
Hello,
If I am using Espoma organic seed starter for my seedling trays for my veggies do I need to add vermiculite? I think the Espoma has perlite in it to I didn’t know if they can be combined?
Thanks for the video.
Most seed starter mixes have everything added to create a good environment for seed starting without the need of additional material.
Commercial potting soil often has white nodules in it that I've always assumed were styrofoam. Is that a possibility and does it serve a similar purpose? Or does it just help with compaction?
Those lightweight fluffy white nodules are Perlite. Perlite is a common additive to many commercially bought soil mixes. Styrofoam is made of petroleum and can leach chemicals into the environment harming water sources. Please do not use styrofoam in your garden.
Awsome video love you guy
Thanks!
I wonder how a Perlite and Vermiculite mix would perform.
I do that sometimes myself when I wish both properties to be added to a particular soil mixture.
@@PlantLifeYT what is a good ratio to add to the soil? and in a planter would you mix it all the way through or just add it to the top most layer(s)?
Thank you !!
You're welcome!☺️
Thanks 👍
You are Welcome 👍
please tell me what i have to use if my soil does absorb water I water them for 5 minutes and when i check it dry and not wet ? how do I fix this problem thanks
It sounds like vermiculite or amending with peat moss or other organic matter such as mature compost might help with water retention. You might additionally add a layer of mulch to the top of your soil to help limit evaporation. I hope this helps!
Thank you 😊🙏
You are welcome! Thank you for watching 🤓
Can I use 1/4 perlite in bottom of wicking pot ,and 1/2 potting mix and 1/4 vermiculite for celery seeds to grow. Or should i have vermiculite on bottom and perlite on top.Thanks
Most suggest Mix 1 part peat, coir, or peat-based potting mix, 1 part Perlite or Expanded Shale, and 1 part Vermiculite. You shouldn't have to layer it as a mixture will better aid in even distribution of moisture and minerals. Celery in particular enjoys nutrient rich soil, so adding compost to the mix will aid in the plants health long term.
@@PlantLifeYT thanks
Okay, which is better for growing potatoes in dense soil?
Actually, neither. Aged compost would be the best thing to add to dense soil for planting potatoes. It will not only enhance the soil’s texture but also enrich it. Make sure to mix it well as you want to avoid clumps of unmixed compost to come into direct contact with your seed potatoes.
@@PlantLifeYT My soil is rich enough and then some. I have no problems getting the potatoes to grow, it's reproducing other potatoes that's the problem. I live in arizona and I've been feeding my backyard tablescraps, dogpoop, and chicken poop for decades. Everyone I've talked to about the problem (including people at the gardening store) say that since nutrients, sun, and water are not the problem, it's the soil density (soil hardness), and I need something that puffs up like sponge.
The problem you are trying to address is the density of your soil. You want it to be more loamy. Perlite helps with drainage, so it will be helpful with moving moisture and nutrients through the soil if it is retaining too much water. Vermiculite aids in water retention so it will help it your soil drains too quickly. Compost, mulch, and leaf debris can help change the texture of your soil which sounds like what you are looking for as the material has larger pieces with a spongy texture that will reduce compaction of the soil. If you don’t have access to those things then perlite should be ok.
saw the same girl while trying home made mead
I used both mixed, just get Organic and not miracle grow
whats a nook and cranny 😱, sounds horrible for my bonsai
It's just holes and small crevices.
@@PlantLifeYT a crevice 😶? is that worse ? 😒
@@kestane123chesmo 😂😂😂😂😂 I'm sorry but that had me howling! Little nook and cranny are just little voids or holes. For example ... you need to look in every nook and cranny. Meaning look in all those places things might get lost.
vermiculite is slightly acidic
Vermiculite is typically in the neutral pH range but like most organic materials can vary. If working with plants that are sensitive to pH, then it is a good idea to either purchase a product with its pH indicated or to test it.