Perlite and vermiculite-what's the difference?

[vee]

While I was at the gardening centre buying my heated propagator (in previous thread) I was looking at large bags of vermiculite and also bags of perlite.

I was tempted but when I was reading the instructions there seemed to be no difference in their uses and neither said for putting on top of newly sown seed, which is what I was going to buy it for.

Which one do I need for doing that, or will either do?
It's so different producing seedlings on an industrial scale isn't it? ;D ;D

[vee]

[Jesse]

For top of seeds you'll want vermiculite, perlite is used to improve drainage.

I asked a similar question last year, here's the thread:

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/joomla/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,57/topic,4172.0

[growmore]

I think they are much of a muchness maybe vermiculite can tend to be slightly more acidic ....Here is a link scroll half way down the page  and read the uses and properties of both ... Storing roots, bulbs etc in vermiculite was interesting reading..    Cheers..Jim..

http://www.schundler.com/hort.htm

[vee]

thanks tho' still don't know which to use on top of seeds!!

[tim]

Do remember to use the FINE on seed trays.

[Jesse]

thanks tho' still don't know which to use on top of seeds!!

use fine vermiculite

[Hyacinth]

And if your store only sells the coarse stuff, try giving it a quick blast  in a coffee grinder - worked for me 8)

[vee]

But what does it taste like? :o

[Hyacinth]

Curry!

(use it only for spices ;D)

[jennym]

thanks tho' still don't know which to use on top of seeds!!

use fine vermiculite

Because vermiculite lets the light through, perlite doesn't. this will be a problem if the seeds need light to germinate.

[Dan 2]

Yes, this is my second year using vermiculite and have greta results form it. Vermiculite is the thing to use!You can mix it in with your seed compost as it hold water quite well and shouldn't rot your seeds. I then plant the seeds and cover themj with vermiculite. Dan :-)

p.s- Wilkinsons do very reasonable vermiculite and perlite at about £1.50 ish a bag. As we move more and more into the seed growing season, they did three bags for the price of two or something like that last year. Hope this helps!

[vee]

Thanks - it's vermiculite I need then. I will get some next time I'm at the garden centre or Wilkinson's.
In fact I was in Wilkinson's today and can't resist buying the odd thing or two. I bought three gravel trays which were reduced to 40p each, a dibber for planting leeks and also some plant clips which work like pegs all for just over £2.
My garage now looks a bit like a hardware shop what with all the cell trays, empty coke bottles, toilet roll middles, various plastic containers etc...

[Dan 2]

I think most peoples sheds on here will look like that!  ;D