Allotments 4 All

As the subject says, what's the difference between perlite and vermiculite? I'm researching what medium to grow my proteas in, some sources say add vermiculite and others say perlite, I thought it was the same thing.  ???

All that I know Jesse is that vermiculite is an expanded mineral  which helps retain moisture and feed in the compost... it also 'beefs out' the compost.  Sorry I have never used perlite so cant tell you very much about it..

hi all :)
not sure of the technical compositions of either, but I do use both, and for different purposes.
I use perlite more. Perlite is used to add drainage and open up a compost or soil, I use it for succulents, cacti (if not using proprietry cactus compost) and I repotted my strelitzia using a mixture of perlite and compost.
I use vermiculite occasionally in seed raising, I used it this year to help raise basil seedlings, it is supposed to be lighter thean compost and does not 'cap'.
My mum used it when raising coriander seeds, which she had had trouble with when using compost sprinkled on the top.
For your protea if would definitely use perlite in the mix, I did this with mine.
I will stand corrected though!! :)

This has been talked about in depth some time ago...I will try to find the link.  ;D

This was posted by Les Woof back in the spring.  Sorry, don't know how to post a link.

Vermiculite is the mineralogical name given to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-ironsilicate which resembles mica in appearance.

Vermiculite is found in various parts of the world. Locations of the predominant commercial mines are in Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, South Africa, USA and Zimbabwe.

Vermiculite mines are surface operations where ore is separated from other minerals, and then screened or classified into several basic particle sizes.

When subjected to heat vermiculite has the unusual property of exfoliating or expanding into worm-like pieces (the name vermiculite is derived from the Latin 'vermiculare' - to breed worms).

Not doing much at work today....hope this helps




Now, I am sure there is some more info somewhere on this board, but do you think I can find it!

Thank you all for your replies. Now the mud starts to clear! After reading your replies and then re-reading the information I found on proteas it is starting to make sense, I think.

I think what they meant was to germinate the protea seeds in vermiculite because (after having read your replies) the properties of vermiculite would help to retain moisture which is essential during germination.

Then once the seedlings are ready potting in a home made potting mixture which includes perlite to aid drainage.

.....I think that makes sense!