Yes! I believe that, something I didn’t mention is the actual cost of vermiculite and how inexpensive it is. It’s way less then rock wool or even the jiffy peat pods. I also find my germination rates to be higher with the vermiculite.
I use a 50/50 mix of perlite vermiculite in net cups to start seeds. Works a treat, the perlite helps support the weight of the plants better as they grow.. they tend to topple in my experience with just permiculite
Could you expand on the advantage for bulb storage? Is it good because vermiculite desiccates the bulbs? Or does it provide a good ambient humidity without wetness?
This is exactly what I was looking for.! I want to know the science behind using different things and approaches in gardening. Gardeners say so many different things and I would like a definitive scientific answer, which you give. Thanks.!
I was around during those years when vermiculite was being used for packing in shipping boxes. I don't know how many packages I received with vermiculite packing. The mine might have shut down, but companies were still using it to pack for a long time. As always, glad to learn the science and history, Ashley! Thank you!
I’m trying to ready my dirt for a seldom water seldom till process for a standard vegetable garden. How could Vermiculite be implemented as a water and nutrient retaining amendment? It sounds easier than inoculating charcoal with fertilizer and organic matter.
Second video of yours I watched and subscribed. I never usually subscribe since I'm focused on one topic at a time but you hit all the buttons; scientifically based, excellent explanation, less labor intensive and (no insult intended) cheap. Seattle is almost in Canada so the growing outside tips probably apply as far as time to plant in the spring. Our daylight hours shifting as much as they do I believe have as much or more to do with ability to grow things like tomatoes as temperature vs a place like California.
Yay! Finally a quality gardening channel from Canada. And the vermiculite information is so helpful. I had been considering adding it to my potting soil but won’t now. Is it beneficial to use vermiculite on clay soil? Note: I will be treating my soil with sheep manure and triple mix with sand too.
@@GardeningInCanada Can I do that if I have already planted the seeds? My situation is that have basil, sage, lettuce, broccoli and steak tomatoes under my grow light that I planted 2 days ago.
i live in a very dry climate, my garden soil is heavy and compacts. Would vermiculite be a good admendment outdoors?? thanks for this good video. You're awesome!!
I have used a mix of vermiculite along w/ perlite and peat as a medium in my self watering containers and it works really well. I never considered using it for seed starting but I'll definitely give it a try. Do you think it would work when starting small vegetable seeds (like carrots) in a garden bed? I always seem to have a hard time with getting carrots and parsnips to germinate and thought I could put a shallow layer of vermiculite in the row and seed into it. Thanks for the great info!
Could this replace sphagnum moss in an orchid mix, specifically for wicking in self watering pots? I’m slightly allergic to sphagnum moss and I’m trying to find alternatives
When reusing it, does it need to be washed/sterilized? Great video! I’ve been using vermiculite for a couple years now for most alocasia corms. I’m part of a big plant family on FB and started to question this after reading that you need to clean leca/stratum every now and again. Now I’m wondering if I should be washing it some how. I use rain water so algae does grow and I have root rotted a couple plants. I’ve read through all the comments to see if anyone else has asked and searching online gets me no where 😅
This video taught me something that has confused me for a while. I was warned an apprentice to be aware the Vermiculite insulation had asbestos, I figured the gardening vermiculite must be different. So, you cleared that up. Because of the confusion I have never used it, that might change.
Hey Ashley, I added the finer vermiculite i had on hand to my airoid mix after watching this. Future updates as to see if it helps with nutrient retention, originally my mix was bark/cocopeat/pumice/spag/charchol, now i replaced charcol with vermiculite and added some fine perlite as well, i noticed between the spag and vermiculite it definately holds water better
I’ve found that string of turtles wants to be more wet than other string-of plants. My plant isn’t thriving in potting soil cut with some perlite (the “well draining soil” craze has a firm hold on me). Would vermiculite be good for keeping SOT moist?
Great video. I'll be back! You do a great job of communicating the science in an easy way to understand. Only complaint is your sound level is very low so when the ads come on they blast.
Always wondered what those little puffed oat looking things were and found out by accident how it's made. There's some frothing fears and misinformation with the whole asbestos legacy that is out there. Thanks for the info. I feel reassured.
As a Canadian who just bathed in vermoculite all day planting elderberry, I really balked at looking down at my hands (the terror) if it was aesbestos - as I JUST googled 8). I got mine from Canadian Tire and Home Hardware, phew. Thank you for the reassurance
Not sure of the correct terminology, but what is the surface tension/absorption speed of dry vermiculite as in how quickly does it absorb water vs floating (up) before hydration starts? The reason I ask, if this is added into very coarse bark substrate for orchids and a fully submerged watering technique is utilized, would it be a constant struggle to keep the vermiculite down into the pot? I use New Zealand sphagnum layered in and I'm looking for a potentially less expensive, longer-term usage material (doesn't breakdown as quickly/compress) and your video on this material is very enlightening. Would you guesstimate 10% by volume for the vermiculite? ~ Thanks! 💕 • Houston Texas indoor growing environment.
@@GardeningInCanada This takes me to an amazon page full of vermiculite, not one brand, maybe because you posted the link 2 years ago. The "overall" pick at amazon is a bag of extremely fine vermiculite which I bought and didn't find like much. What is the exact name and type you recommend?
GREAT VIDEO!! I reached it 'cause i was searching for better sustrate for rooting rare wild colected passionflower species.I have a question, if in my case passionflower cuttings are so sensitive to water excess on the media use for rooting, how and how much vermiculite must be watered to use it for these kind of cuttings? Thanks in advance
Unfortunately not to date no. Almost everything in the plant world needs to be harvested or mined in some capacity. The only alternative would be if someone was to develop an artificial soil of some sort.
I understand that the asbestos tainted vermiculite came out of Montana, and has not been mined since 91. Am I wrong? I have been using course vermiculite for several years and never worried about asbestos unless it did not say where it was mined.
I use 5 gallon self irrigating containers, which are basically two stacked 5G buckets that are bridged with a 3" net cup. I use vermiculite in the net cup in a 1:1:1 of perlite:vermiculite:coir. Regardless of the asbestos claims, it is probably a good idea to avoid breathing in any of the dust in and wear a mask.
That’s awesome. And yea that goes for anything potting soil wise I agree! Although I do find vermiculite to be less dusty compared to something like perlite.
(1) First time to this channel, n Im happy with d knowledge which is very well presented. Kudos n thanx. (2) Have you any clip on how you actually use vermiculite?
Great video. I just learned I’ve been using it incorrectly. I have an area that’s wet and I recently mixed the soil with vermiculite and compost to improve drainage. Would you recommend I replace it with regular garden soil? What can I do to improve drainage? It’s the area around my drainage slope for my yard I’m planting flowers
Okay so if it’s clay to that extent then you would want to build up an organic layer and maybe even incorporate a pumice or volcanic rock. The other option maybe to build above it with a raised bed. It all depends on your budget
Not to change the subject back to Corn Poppies but, I found the seeds. True-Leaf Market, Non GMO, Since 1974. The seeds have a 5-Star rating and are $2.49 for a 1 ounce packet. They state and I quote..."Native to the rolling expanses of European meadows"... Listed as "Corn Poppy Seeds-American Legion". Hope this helps. Take care, be safe.
Thanks for the very in depth information about vermiculite. Vermiculite stores nutrients, good for aeriation and water holding capacity. Does charcoal do that things too?
@@GardeningInCanada Thanks a lot! That will be a great help. I have been testing it on my plants , was successful on tomatoes and bell peppers. But I heard from some friends that it has its disadvantages. For me , it is nice to use charcoal. But still have a lot to learn and experience about it!
Yea so it’s a combination of the accordion style that keeps the water absorbed but the “sheet surface” that helps with the drainage. So if you’ve ever filled up a pot with vermiculite and then saturated the product you’ll notice it’s retaining moisture but that there is no “standing water” between the individual particles. That’s the definition of retains but drains we are going with.
It worked good for me when I was growing in small pots but when I switched to bigger pots I switched to perlite because medium was holding too much moisture and I ended with steam root in a few plants.
I have a theory that vermiculite would be good for succulents...plants you don't water often. That way the plant has a bit more of a chance to get water when you do. Does that make sense to anybody but me? xD
Pretty good video. Not sure where you come up with Salt Lake Valley. Libby, MT is in a totally different state and quite far from Salt Lake. It would be the Kootenai Valley. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libby,_Montana Not that it matters to the main subject. Keep up the good work!
Nice video and very thorough. I'd like to give a small piece of advice, in order to reach a wider audience perhaps use more colloquial terms and summarise instead of going into extreme detail. I know you understand all of the scientific terminologies but think of your average gardener who wants to find information, they'll most likely get confused and click on another video. Also, try thinking of the questions people will have and try to answer them like 'can I use vermiculite in a homemade potting mix?' etc. I can see you're very passionate and I wish you all the best!
I have noticed your audio levels are inconsistent and I can't hear you in some of your videos because I live inside a bubbling, fan powered science experiment
Today im exhuasted...truely exhausted...did too much yesterday..way to much and if your pushing 80...well u regret it for days. Who or what would think vermiculite is asbestos? SERIOSLY no high.school grad should ever think that...
Omgosh a real soil scientist! Thank you
Absolutely anytime! ❤️ let me know if you need anything
I use vermiculite in net pots to start my hydroponic/aquaponic plants instead of rockwool and saved myself a small fortune.
Yes! I believe that, something I didn’t mention is the actual cost of vermiculite and how inexpensive it is. It’s way less then rock wool or even the jiffy peat pods. I also find my germination rates to be higher with the vermiculite.
Thanks for watching! Where do you use vermiculite? It’s my all time favourite for germinating itsy bitsy seeds
Also I literally edited this video to 11:11... does that make it lucky orrrr
Thanks for clearing up the issue of asbestos. Good to know. And thanks for your channel. This looks like it will be a treasure trove.
Hopefully you enjoy!
I use a 50/50 mix of perlite vermiculite in net cups to start seeds. Works a treat, the perlite helps support the weight of the plants better as they grow.. they tend to topple in my experience with just permiculite
that sounds awesome
Could you expand on the advantage for bulb storage? Is it good because vermiculite desiccates the bulbs? Or does it provide a good ambient humidity without wetness?
Ashley,
Congrats on the increase in subs!
Well deserved. Cheers to thousands more.
Thank you so much! That’s very kind ❤️🤓
wonderful video and so helpful, thanks for taking the time, i like your style you are easy to watch.
Glad it was helpful!
This is exactly what I was looking for.! I want to know the science behind using different things and approaches in gardening. Gardeners say so many different things and I would like a definitive scientific answer, which you give. Thanks.!
That’s awesome! Glad you enjoyed
I was around during those years when vermiculite was being used for packing in shipping boxes. I don't know how many packages I received with vermiculite packing. The mine might have shut down, but companies were still using it to pack for a long time. As always, glad to learn the science and history, Ashley! Thank you!
Yea! It was a popular product.
As always, a most informative and downright useful learning session!
Awe thanks so much I appreciate that
Great video, exceptionally informative, thank you so much and I'm looking forward to the rest of this series!!
Have a wonderful weekend!! 😊
Thank you! 🙂
I’m trying to ready my dirt for a seldom water seldom till process for a standard vegetable garden.
How could Vermiculite be implemented as a water and nutrient retaining amendment? It sounds easier than inoculating charcoal with fertilizer and organic matter.
Second video of yours I watched and subscribed. I never usually subscribe since I'm focused on one topic at a time but you hit all the buttons; scientifically based, excellent explanation, less labor intensive and (no insult intended) cheap. Seattle is almost in Canada so the growing outside tips probably apply as far as time to plant in the spring. Our daylight hours shifting as much as they do I believe have as much or more to do with ability to grow things like tomatoes as temperature vs a place like California.
Yay! Finally a quality gardening channel from Canada. And the vermiculite information is so helpful. I had been considering adding it to my potting soil but won’t now.
Is it beneficial to use vermiculite on clay soil? Note: I will be treating my soil with sheep manure and triple mix with sand too.
It won’t do much in clay soil unfortunately.
@@GardeningInCanada Ok. Now I have a big bag of it. I will see if a community garden wants it.
You could use it for germinating seeds
@@GardeningInCanada Can I do that if I have already planted the seeds?
My situation is that have basil, sage, lettuce, broccoli and steak tomatoes under my grow light that I planted 2 days ago.
Yup! Just top dressing with it
i live in a very dry climate, my garden soil is heavy and compacts. Would vermiculite be a good admendment outdoors?? thanks for this good video. You're awesome!!
I have used a mix of vermiculite along w/ perlite and peat as a medium in my self watering containers and it works really well. I never considered using it for seed starting but I'll definitely give it a try. Do you think it would work when starting small vegetable seeds (like carrots) in a garden bed? I always seem to have a hard time with getting carrots and parsnips to germinate and thought I could put a shallow layer of vermiculite in the row and seed into it. Thanks for the great info!
Could this replace sphagnum moss in an orchid mix, specifically for wicking in self watering pots?
I’m slightly allergic to sphagnum moss and I’m trying to find alternatives
When reusing it, does it need to be washed/sterilized?
Great video! I’ve been using vermiculite for a couple years now for most alocasia corms. I’m part of a big plant family on FB and started to question this after reading that you need to clean leca/stratum every now and again. Now I’m wondering if I should be washing it some how. I use rain water so algae does grow and I have root rotted a couple plants. I’ve read through all the comments to see if anyone else has asked and searching online gets me no where 😅
i also want to know if its worth adding old or new leca balls to this mix and if it will make any difference?
yes i use leca in my houseplant it is HUGE what it comes to airation
This video taught me something that has confused me for a while. I was warned an apprentice to be aware the Vermiculite insulation had asbestos, I figured the gardening vermiculite must be different. So, you cleared that up. Because of the confusion I have never used it, that might change.
perfect! love that
Hey Ashley, I added the finer vermiculite i had on hand to my airoid mix after watching this. Future updates as to see if it helps with nutrient retention, originally my mix was bark/cocopeat/pumice/spag/charchol, now i replaced charcol with vermiculite and added some fine perlite as well, i noticed between the spag and vermiculite it definately holds water better
Nice! I believe that
I’ve found that string of turtles wants to be more wet than other string-of plants. My plant isn’t thriving in potting soil cut with some perlite (the “well draining soil” craze has a firm hold on me). Would vermiculite be good for keeping SOT moist?
it would help!
This was amazing, thank you so much!
Can you use it as LECA or perlite for semi-hydro plants?
Sort of it doesn’t have enough air spacing for all plants to thrive. But for some plants it would be ideal.
Can vermiculite be used as a source of Silica for plants?
Great video. I'll be back! You do a great job of communicating the science in an easy way to understand. Only complaint is your sound level is very low so when the ads come on they blast.
Thank you Ashley
Always wondered what those little puffed oat looking things were and found out by accident how it's made. There's some frothing fears and misinformation with the whole asbestos legacy that is out there. Thanks for the info. I feel reassured.
Haha puffed oats. I love that description. But it’s completely safe.
As a Canadian who just bathed in vermoculite all day planting elderberry, I really balked at looking down at my hands (the terror) if it was aesbestos - as I JUST googled 8). I got mine from Canadian Tire and Home Hardware, phew. Thank you for the reassurance
I just discovered vermiculite. Thank you for the information.
Awesome! Love that
Thank you so much for the information.
Anytime!
Not sure of the correct terminology, but what is the surface tension/absorption speed of dry vermiculite as in how quickly does it absorb water vs floating (up) before hydration starts?
The reason I ask, if this is added into very coarse bark substrate for orchids and a fully submerged watering technique is utilized, would it be a constant struggle to keep the vermiculite down into the pot?
I use New Zealand sphagnum layered in and I'm looking for a potentially less expensive, longer-term usage material (doesn't breakdown as quickly/compress) and your video on this material is very enlightening.
Would you guesstimate 10% by volume for the vermiculite?
~ Thanks! 💕
• Houston Texas indoor growing environment.
it is pretty heavy once it is fully saturated. I haven't had an issues with floating and I top dress with it. 10% verm is perfect
Absolutely love hearing science behind things and using actual research!!!! Tired of videos by ppl that know very little about the topic...
Thanks so much! That’s a huge compliment I take it very seriously
if i mix vermiculite with my lightly fertilized peat moss will is be to wet😒?
It might be a bit too heavy
Hi! What brand of vermiculite do you use? You mentioned it on the video that you posted a link of it but I don’t see it. Thanks
Sorry about that. This is the most consistent brand I have found geni.us/ybN70
@@GardeningInCanada thank you
Anytime!
@@GardeningInCanada This takes me to an amazon page full of vermiculite, not one brand, maybe because you posted the link 2 years ago. The "overall" pick at amazon is a bag of extremely fine vermiculite which I bought and didn't find like much. What is the exact name and type you recommend?
GREAT VIDEO!! I reached it 'cause i was searching for better sustrate for rooting rare wild colected passionflower species.I have a question, if in my case passionflower cuttings are so sensitive to water excess on the media use for rooting, how and how much vermiculite must be watered to use it for these kind of cuttings? Thanks in advance
Awesome ❤❤❤
Can You help me With Repot stress Of Monstera deliciosa
Yea absolutely, is the soil moist or dry?
@@GardeningInCanada
the soil is moist
Thanks for another great video! Have you heard of any viable alternatives to these additives that are more sustainable?
Unfortunately not to date no. Almost everything in the plant world needs to be harvested or mined in some capacity. The only alternative would be if someone was to develop an artificial soil of some sort.
Dangit! I'm going to try to sieve out all my vermiculite from my potting soil now! 😂
HAHA oh no! Well thank goodness for lock downs at least 🙄
Can you do one on Vermiculite vs. Biochar?
I understand that the asbestos tainted vermiculite came out of Montana, and has not been mined since 91. Am I wrong? I have been using course vermiculite for several years and never worried about asbestos unless it did not say where it was mined.
Yea! There was a mine in Montana as well that’s right. And it has been completely shut down. I don’t worry about it at all.
I have request, could you make a video of how to use vermiculite for orchids potting mix
I use 5 gallon self irrigating containers, which are basically two stacked 5G buckets that are bridged with a 3" net cup. I use vermiculite in the net cup in a 1:1:1 of perlite:vermiculite:coir.
Regardless of the asbestos claims, it is probably a good idea to avoid breathing in any of the dust in and wear a mask.
That’s awesome. And yea that goes for anything potting soil wise I agree! Although I do find vermiculite to be less dusty compared to something like perlite.
(1) First time to this channel, n Im happy with d knowledge which is very well presented. Kudos n thanx. (2) Have you any clip on how you actually use vermiculite?
Yes! I actually just posted one with my seedlings about controlling mould with vermiculite
Great video. I just learned I’ve been using it incorrectly. I have an area that’s wet and I recently mixed the soil with vermiculite and compost to improve drainage. Would you recommend I replace it with regular garden soil? What can I do to improve drainage? It’s the area around my drainage slope for my yard I’m planting flowers
Do you know what soil type you have? Is it a clay or sand
@@GardeningInCanada it’s clay but not extremely tight
Okay so if it’s clay to that extent then you would want to build up an organic layer and maybe even incorporate a pumice or volcanic rock. The other option maybe to build above it with a raised bed. It all depends on your budget
@@GardeningInCanada thank you I will try the pumice
Ya absolutely
It is my understanding that vermiculite retains too much moisture to be good for succulents. Is this correct?
Yea it would be way to much
Would you suggest using vermiculite with Hoyas?
yea absolutely you can
@@GardeningInCanada thanks, just for rooting Hoyas? Can I use it with a little bark and coco coir for established plants?
You can add the other amendments just make sure some pumice or perlite into the mix
Not to change the subject back to Corn Poppies but, I found the seeds. True-Leaf Market, Non GMO, Since 1974. The seeds have a 5-Star rating and are $2.49 for a 1 ounce packet. They state and I quote..."Native to the rolling expanses of European meadows"... Listed as "Corn Poppy Seeds-American Legion". Hope this helps. Take care, be safe.
Oh very interesting thank you!
Can vermiculite be re-used?
I do all the time
Can I use 100% vermiculite to regrow root of my snake plant that has no root due to root rot? please help save my snake plant, thanks.
yup!
Could you do an episode on stratum (the fish tank soil) when you have time? I'm in a FB group 'growing in stratum' and it's kinda wild.
Haha yea! I have too I’ve gotten LOTS of requests on this one
Thanks for the very in depth information about vermiculite. Vermiculite stores nutrients, good for aeriation and water holding capacity. Does charcoal do that things too?
Yes! So I need to do a video on the charcoal addition because that has its own set of unique features.
@@GardeningInCanada Thanks a lot! That will be a great help. I have been testing it on my plants , was successful on tomatoes and bell peppers. But I heard from some friends that it has its disadvantages. For me , it is nice to use charcoal. But still have a lot to learn and experience about it!
It’s a very unique product that’s forsure
just heard very recently about charcoal- and Im interested to know your opinion.
@@BalbysHome yea I’ll be filming that this weekend for you guys! Lots of requests
Help me here. Vermiculite drains water well but retains water. ????
Yea so it’s a combination of the accordion style that keeps the water absorbed but the “sheet surface” that helps with the drainage. So if you’ve ever filled up a pot with vermiculite and then saturated the product you’ll notice it’s retaining moisture but that there is no “standing water” between the individual particles. That’s the definition of retains but drains we are going with.
It worked good for me when I was growing in small pots but when I switched to bigger pots I switched to perlite because medium was holding too much moisture and I ended with steam root in a few plants.
That’s awesome
Maybe not a Canada question can u buy vermiculite for swimming pools to use in potting soil...its way cheaper.
If it doesn’t have any additions I don’t see why not
None of your affiliate links work :/( here in cali)
Do the seeds now ones in the pinned comment work? I might need to look into an american seed supplier.
I am looking at vermiculite or a mix with perlite to start seeds it may he an interesting video for seed starting.
That would be a good mix! I will definitely be trying different experiments like that this year.
Where have you been all my planting life?
I always thought vermiculite was some kind of doodie related product, not a mineral. Like it was mole castings, or vole castings.
Hahah no it’s mineral love that though
I have a theory that vermiculite would be good for succulents...plants you don't water often. That way the plant has a bit more of a chance to get water when you do. Does that make sense to anybody but me? xD
Pretty good video. Not sure where you come up with Salt Lake Valley. Libby, MT is in a totally different state and quite far from Salt Lake. It would be the Kootenai Valley. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libby,_Montana Not that it matters to the main subject. Keep up the good work!
Good to know!
Nice video and very thorough. I'd like to give a small piece of advice, in order to reach a wider audience perhaps use more colloquial terms and summarise instead of going into extreme detail. I know you understand all of the scientific terminologies but think of your average gardener who wants to find information, they'll most likely get confused and click on another video. Also, try thinking of the questions people will have and try to answer them like 'can I use vermiculite in a homemade potting mix?' etc. I can see you're very passionate and I wish you all the best!
Could not hear you clearly “” comparison. With perlite ?
I have noticed your audio levels are inconsistent and I can't hear you in some of your videos because I live inside a bubbling, fan powered science experiment
Haha, it was my mic on the last two videos but I’ve officially fixed it so mondays video will be much better
Should have used captions
🙏😎
My vermiculite is flaky, light weight n most of it is gold in color
Today im exhuasted...truely exhausted...did too much yesterday..way to much and if your pushing 80...well u regret it for days.
Who or what would think vermiculite is asbestos? SERIOSLY no high.school grad should ever think that...
Sounded like “” Thanan exchange…”