I always ask myself what is the difference between this two inorganic soil additives, so I decided to research and these are some answers I found:
What's the difference between vermiculite and perlite?Vermiculite is a mineral ( mica). When heated, it puffs up, and in this state it absorbs and holds water. However, due to its tendency to compact, it shouldn't make up more than 25 percent of a potting mix. Mixing vermiculite in potted plants will provide the necessary air to maintain vigorous plant growth. Where soils are sandy, mixing of vermiculite into the soil will allow the soil to hold water and air needed for growth.
Vermiculite is brownish, softer, and somewhat shiny.
Perlite is a white volcanic substance that is a derivative of silica. It too is heated so that it puffs up. Yet, perlite does not absorb water, making this the main difference between it and vermiculite, but increases drainage and improves aeration. It also has insulating properties, which protect root systems against fluctuations in soil temperature.
Perlite is white and porous, with sharp edges.
Is advised to use
vermiculite primarily in potting mixes (because of its water-holding capacity) and
perlite for rooting cuttings. However, because perlite is sterile, the cuttings must be replanted in a potting mix that contains nutrients. Do this once roots begin to form.
Advantages:Perlite has drainage qualities and capillary action suitable for hydroponics. Vermiculite retains water and nutrients, which is helpful in sustaining seed growth.
Other Differences : Both perlite and vermiculite are pH neutral. They differ in their ability to buffer pH changes. Perlite is rated as low in its capacity for pH buffering, and vermiculite is rated as high. Although both can hold plant nutrients such as those in soluble fertilizers, perlite has a low rating and vermiculite is rated as high.
Perlite contributes no chemicals or substances to the soil mix, but vermiculite can add potassium and magnesium.Water-Holding CapacityVermiculite has better water-retaining properties than perlite. The softer vermiculite particles act as sponges, soaking up water. Perlite retains water by holding it in the bubbles, and it can drain away from these spaces more quickly since the perlite itself doesn't absorb the water.
For plants that need more constantly moist soil, such as tropical plants, vermiculite gives better conditions.
Alternatives:Styrofoam is an economical alternative to perlite, according to the University of Connecticut.
Finely ground pine bark, also called “pine fines,” is the principal alternative to vermiculite.
To sum up:Perlite helps to aerate and improve soil drainage. Vermiculite holds moisture and attracts nutrients, which facilitate plant growth.
Vermiculite holds water best, perlite give the roots of the plant the most oxygen. Oxygen = rapid grow, but dries out super fast. Dry roots = dead plant. Your potting soil had a lot of water, but little oxygen. if you watered your perlite every 2 to 3 hours the perlite would have won the competition, but who has time for that?.. Do you agree with this?
This is a worth seeing experiment:
Did you know...That vermiculite comes from 19 varieties of micaceous minerals and the ores contain silica, alumina, iron oxides and magnesium oxide. The expanding properties upon heating were observed by Thomas Webb in 1824, who heated ore over a candle and watched it turn into elongate forms that resembled worms. He named it vermiculite from the Italian word for worm, vermiculus?
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Topic: Perlite Vs Vermiculite (Read 8224 times)
