Only Vermiculite for Germination

Farmette · March 3, 2011

I have a friend who is a Master Gardener and advocates using only vermiculite...nothing else for germination of vegetable and plant seeds. Have you heard of this and if so, are there any benefits or drawbacks to this method as opposed to using a soiless mix.
Thanks
Chris

erlyberd · March 4, 2011

Using 100% vermiculite is a soiless method that works for seed starting, cuttings etc. Most of your quality seed starting mixes contain a good percentage or vermiculite in them and or peat.

Benefits, its sterile, porous, light and airy. Draw backs are there is no nutrients for the plants which is'nt a problem for seed starting. Otherwise, mining this material is not believed to be the most environmentally friendly practice as some supplys contain asbestos.

Otherwise a mixture of vermiculite and peat is a great medium for seed starting.

Farmette · March 4, 2011

erlyberd:
Thanks much for the input. I would guess it would be best to pot them up into something with nourishment once germinated.

March 3, 2011	#1
Farmette Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 985	Only Vermiculite for Germination I have a friend who is a Master Gardener and advocates using only vermiculite...nothing else for germination of vegetable and plant seeds. Have you heard of this and if so, are there any benefits or drawbacks to this method as opposed to using a soiless mix. Thanks Chris

March 4, 2011	#2
erlyberd Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CT Zone 5 Posts: 186	Using 100% vermiculite is a soiless method that works for seed starting, cuttings etc. Most of your quality seed starting mixes contain a good percentage or vermiculite in them and or peat. Benefits, its sterile, porous, light and airy. Draw backs are there is no nutrients for the plants which is'nt a problem for seed starting. Otherwise, mining this material is not believed to be the most environmentally friendly practice as some supplys contain asbestos. Otherwise a mixture of vermiculite and peat is a great medium for seed starting.