Vermiculite

timfmbhm · April 5, 2016

I was in Lowes a few hours ago and I found a large cart with lots of misc. items marked 90% off. On this cart was a case of vermiculite. I've heard tat it's good for potting soil. Should I go back and get it?

sjamesNorway · April 5, 2016

Definitely!

Uncle Doss · April 5, 2016

yes, go get it!!

PhilaGardener · April 5, 2016

Great in containers and the ground for moisture retention and open texture. Wish I were that lucky!

Cole_Robbie · April 5, 2016

I use a lot of vermiculite. I buy the stuff that is sold as insulation. If the bags you are buying are sold as potting media, read the label to see if it has fertilizer added. It's fine if it does, but just take that into consideration so you don't over-fertilize.

Vermiculite is ideal as the top layer of seed-starting media, especially if you don't use humidity domes. It retains water very well, it changes appearance when dry so you know to water it, and it won't crust over like peat and block sprouts from emerging.

kameronth · April 8, 2016

I buy the bag sold as insulation as well. I get a 3 cubic foot bag at Menards for around $17.

fonseca · April 8, 2016

Check the label or MSDS for the insulation vermiculite to be sure it hasn't been treated with a waterproofing agent. The loose fill vermiculite for home insulation is often treated.

You can get 4 cuft bags of horticultural vermiculite from hydro stores for under $20.

kameronth · April 8, 2016

It's the same horticultural grade just costs much less than the stuff in small bags. No such thing as a hydro store anywhere near me so Menards it is!

Cole_Robbie · April 8, 2016

The Menards stuff says on the back of the bag "made by Sun-Grow Horticulture."

April 5, 2016	#1
timfmbhm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Tuscaloosa, Alabama Posts: 10	Vermiculite I was in Lowes a few hours ago and I found a large cart with lots of misc. items marked 90% off. On this cart was a case of vermiculite. I've heard tat it's good for potting soil. Should I go back and get it?

April 5, 2016	#3
Uncle Doss Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: zone 5b/6a Posts: 134	yes, go get it!! __________________ Anything in life worth doing is worth over-doing. Moderation is for cowards.

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April 5, 2016	#2
sjamesNorway Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Norway Posts: 1,049	Definitely!

April 5, 2016	#4
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	Great in containers and the ground for moisture retention and open texture. Wish I were that lucky!

April 5, 2016	#5
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I use a lot of vermiculite. I buy the stuff that is sold as insulation. If the bags you are buying are sold as potting media, read the label to see if it has fertilizer added. It's fine if it does, but just take that into consideration so you don't over-fertilize. Vermiculite is ideal as the top layer of seed-starting media, especially if you don't use humidity domes. It retains water very well, it changes appearance when dry so you know to water it, and it won't crust over like peat and block sprouts from emerging.

April 8, 2016	#6
kameronth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: North Dakota Posts: 111	I buy the bag sold as insulation as well. I get a 3 cubic foot bag at Menards for around $17.

April 8, 2016	#7
fonseca Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 205	Check the label or MSDS for the insulation vermiculite to be sure it hasn't been treated with a waterproofing agent. The loose fill vermiculite for home insulation is often treated. You can get 4 cuft bags of horticultural vermiculite from hydro stores for under $20.