Exfoliated Vermiculite is used world wide as growing medium, it has excellent property of improving soil aeration while retaining moisture and nutrients necessary to feed seeds that foster plant growth. It is most commonly used in compost formulations, promotes faster root growth and gives quick anchorage to young roots. Since vermiculite is very light and easy to handle, it easily mixes with soil, peat, fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Exfoliated vermiculite has become a mainstay as a component of soilless growing medium for both the commercial and home grower. The ideal growing medium for skyrise gardens.
Properties Of Exfoliated Vermiculite
- PH is essentially neutral (7.0)
- Inorganic, inert and sterile
- Odourless and non-toxic
- Improves soil aeration
- Retains moisture
- Retaubs added nutrients to feed roots
- Insulates and minimizes soil temperature fluctuations
Air Content: Ordinary soil contains 10% of air. A mixture of 60% soil with 40% horticultural vermiculite gives 55% of air.
Moisture Content: Oridnary soil holds 33% of water-equal to 1/3 of its own weight. A mixture of 60% soil with 40% horticultural vermiculite holds 98% water.