Perlite or Vermiculite - Which is Better?
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I often hear that perlite and vermiculite are the same thing. What have I heard, I myself thought so until recently. Until I studied and tested them in my own practice.
What is it? Both vermiculite and perlite are inorganic substances that act as soil improvers/looseners.
Both have a lot in common:
they make the soil lighter, looser and more moisture-absorbing;
both minerals are odorless;
do not affect the acidity of the soil.
Somewhere on the Internet you can find information that vermiculite is rich in iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, silicon..., but nowhere is it written that all these substances are in a form inaccessible to plants. That is, they are useless.
Vermiculite is suitable for cuttings, but is not suitable for application to heavy, moisture-intensive soils or as an additive for plants that do not tolerate overwatering.
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Disadvantages of vermiculite:
*it swells when watered and the soil is not saturated with oxygen. In such conditions, the roots can rot;
*the soil will freeze faster if it contains vermiculite;
*over time it compacts and has to be added to the soil;
*quite expensive.
PERLITE. White loose "balls" similar to foam, but hard. Similar in composition to sand. Almost does not retain water, can be excellent drainage both on the site and for plants in containers.
Perfectly saturates the soil with oxygen. Almost light for roots.
Retains water up to two times its own weight.
Perlite is ideal for application to clay and loamy soils. It will absorb excess water (you can add up to 25% of the total volume of soil on very heavy soils).
Perlite will not allow the soil to clump and compact, since it does not soak or swell when wet.
Perlite is more durable than vermiculite. If you add it to a bed or planting hole, it will serve your plant faithfully for many years.
Perlite is usually small in its fraction composition and contains dust. When working with it, you must use a respirator or wet the substance itself. Its dust is extremely harmful to human lungs, but safe for plants.