Vermiculite: A Basic Idea

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Judul : Vermiculite: A Basic Idea
link : Vermiculite: A Basic Idea

soil-less

The following article is a follow up of my previous articles on Soil-less growth media. You can check the rest of the media by clicking here. Though some times perlite and vermiculite are used as synonyms, they are very different in many aspects. Through I wanted to put some light on these.

Vermiculite is silicate material which is used in horticulture as growth media. It expands greatly when heated. The name originates from the word vermiculture which means to breed worms. It can hold potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Ammonium which are needed for plant growth. The color, composition, and pH of vermiculite varies from mine to mine. It is normally marketed in the form of brown cubes. It is generally clean, odorless and non toxic by nature.

Vermiculite is mined in the United State, Brazil, Zimbabwe, China and South Africa.

Vermiculite can retain more water than perlite. Its retention of water makes it good for sustaining the growth of seeds. It contains useful trace minerals. Its color is not as obvious as perlite. It is generally cheaper than perlite.

You can combine exfoliated vermiculite with peat moss or coconut coir and make a good soil-less growth media. This can be used in home as well as professional gardening uses. Vermiculite can be a good media for seed germination either used solely or with combination with other media. In case of vermiculite very little watering is required. Vermiculite does not rot or turn moldy. It help the roots of the young plants to anchor and grow.

Vermiculite can be used as a soil conditioner. Little mixing of vermiculite can make your heavy, sticky soil breath-ably light. It creates air channels and thus improves aeration.

Although not every time but in many cases vermiculite is found to be infested with asbestos which sometime related to asbestos related diseases. It is also far heavier when compared with perlite so durability problem is always associated with it. At times it can trap too much water leaving the media as soupy soil.

Apart from Gardening, vermiculite are used as insulator world wide. Other usage are as a packaging material, substrate for incubation of eggs, waste treatments etc.

In case you have any other points to add to what I have mentioned please mention in the below.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed the article.

The following article is a follow up of my previous articles on Soil-less growth media. You can check the rest of the media by clicking here. Though some times perlite and vermiculite are used as synonyms, they are very different in many aspects. Through I wanted to put some light on these.

Vermiculite is silicate material which is used in horticulture as growth media. It expands greatly when heated. The name originates from the word vermiculture which means to breed worms. It can hold potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Ammonium which are needed for plant growth. The color, composition, and pH of vermiculite varies from mine to mine. It is normally marketed in the form of brown cubes. It is generally clean, odorless and non toxic by nature.

Vermiculite is mined in the United State, Brazil, Zimbabwe, China and South Africa.

Vermiculite can retain more water than perlite. Its retention of water makes it good for sustaining the growth of seeds. It contains useful trace minerals. Its color is not as obvious as perlite. It is generally cheaper than perlite.

You can combine exfoliated vermiculite with peat moss or coconut coir and make a good soil-less growth media. This can be used in home as well as professional gardening uses. Vermiculite can be a good media for seed germination either used solely or with combination with other media. In case of vermiculite very little watering is required. Vermiculite does not rot or turn moldy. It help the roots of the young plants to anchor and grow.

Vermiculite can be used as a soil conditioner. Little mixing of vermiculite can make your heavy, sticky soil breath-ably light. It creates air channels and thus improves aeration.

Although not every time but in many cases vermiculite is found to be infested with asbestos which sometime related to asbestos related diseases. It is also far heavier when compared with perlite so durability problem is always associated with it. At times it can trap too much water leaving the media as soupy soil.

Apart from Gardening, vermiculite are used as insulator world wide. Other usage are as a packaging material, substrate for incubation of eggs, waste treatments etc.

In case you have any other points to add to what I have mentioned please mention in the below.

Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed the article.

Coco Coir | Coconut Coir and its use in gardening

soil-less - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about soil-less, i was write this article for sharing Article cocopeat, Article coir, Article organic, Article soil-less, Article soil-less media, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Coco Coir | Coconut Coir and its use in gardening
link : Coco Coir | Coconut Coir and its use in gardening

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This blog follows my previous blogs on soil-less growing media and Peat moss. After Peat Moss, now it is time for its alternative, Coconut Coir or coco coir. Now a days many of us are trying coconut coir as an alternative to peat moss due to several reasons, most important of which is it is much more environment friendly than peat moss. For an organic gardener it is crucial to make use of the things which are renewable.

Buy Coco Peat With A Click

Origin of Coco Coir

The English word "coir" comes from the Tamil and Malayalam word kayaru. which mean cord, to be twisted. In a coconut the husk portion(between the hard inner shell and the outer coat of the coconut) is the place from where the coir
are extracted. Coir fibres make up about a third of the coconut husk, The rest, called peat, pith or dust.

Coir Fiber can be of two types white fibre and Brown fiber. White fibres are extracted from green coconut while we get the brown fibres when those are extracted from the fully matured coconut. The white fibre are the used in manufacturing rope, mats, and fishing nets(due to its resistance to saltwater). Brown Fibre is used to prepare doormats, brushes, mattress and also for insulation and packaging. The process of taking out the husk from the fruit is also known as De-husking.

The second part of the husk which covers the majority of the portion is known as coconut Coir, (or coir) or Coco peat (cocopeat). Once considered as waste

product, this is now used as an alternative to peat moss in Gardening. Many people call this coconut coir by various names such coco coir, coco pith, coco peat, cocopeat, coir dust, coco soil or only coir. For simplicity I will represent this by the single word coir.

Coir does provide a suitable substrate for horticultural use as a soil-less potting media. As coir is high in sodium and potassium, and sometimes contains excess salt, it needs to be treated before using as a growth medium for plants. It is first washed, screened and graded into various granularity and density.
India and Sri lanka produces most of the coir in the world. Apart from these two, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam etc have also started producing coir now a days.

Coir can be of two types viz, sterilized and unsterilized. In case of sterilized coir peat the fungi Trichoderma is not present due to sterilization. Trichoderma work in symbiosis with plant roots and protect the plant from harmful pathogenic fungi such as pythium. That is one of the reason people now a days are shifting from using sterilized to unsterilized one.

 

Coco Coir Uses:

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Coconut coir can be used almost anywhere you can use peat moss such as seed starters, bedding, gardens, container etc. It is resistant to bacterial and fungal growth. It provides all new opportunities for potting mix suppliers, seedling nurseries, Hydro-phonic growers and green house growers.

In horticulture and gardening, coconut coir is a strongly recommended substitute for Peat moss because it is free of bacteria and fungal spores.As a substitute it  helps slowing down peat extraction from environmentally sensitive swamps worldwide. It also has very good water retention and suitable aeration facility which helps to faster growth of roots.

Coco Coir contains a good amount of cellulose and lignin. As mushroom thrive on Cellulose, coir is used as a substrate to cultivate Mushrooms.
Coir generally have a pH level in the range of 6-6.5. which is very good pH level for most of the plants.

You can not use coir as a sole component in the medium to grow plants. The nutrient content in it is very low. If you insists growing solely on coir, you need to add nutrients as per the need of the specific plants. Coir from countries like India and Sri Lanka though contains several macro and micro-plant nutrients including substantial quantities of potassium, which interfere with the magnesium availability of the soil.

Generally, coir has a deficiency of Calcium and Magnesium, so adding a good amount of dolomite (which contains both of those elements) can be a very good idea.

Apart from agricultural usage dry coir can be used as an oil absorbent specially on slippery floors as it has very good absorbing ability. It is also used to absorb animal waste.

Coir is hydrophilic unlike peat moss and can quickly re-absorb water even when completely dry. Coco peat is porous and cannot be over watered easily. Coconut coir is not only a natural, organic product, but unlike peat moss a renewable one.

Buy 5 Kg Coir Block

Like the article? Why not share it with others:

Related Articles on Coco Coir:

Why you should grow strawberries in Coir?Different soilless media for growing plants 
A Miracle grow called Organic Potting Soil: The best soilless potting Mix 
 

This blog follows my previous blogs on soil-less growing media and Peat moss. After Peat Moss, now it is time for its alternative, Coconut Coir or coco coir. Now a days many of us are trying coconut coir as an alternative to peat moss due to several reasons, most important of which is it is much more environment friendly than peat moss. For an organic gardener it is crucial to make use of the things which are renewable.

Buy Coco Peat With A Click

Origin of Coco Coir

The English word "coir" comes from the Tamil and Malayalam word kayaru. which mean cord, to be twisted. In a coconut the husk portion(between the hard inner shell and the outer coat of the coconut) is the place from where the coir
are extracted. Coir fibres make up about a third of the coconut husk, The rest, called peat, pith or dust.

Coir Fiber can be of two types white fibre and Brown fiber. White fibres are extracted from green coconut while we get the brown fibres when those are extracted from the fully matured coconut. The white fibre are the used in manufacturing rope, mats, and fishing nets(due to its resistance to saltwater). Brown Fibre is used to prepare doormats, brushes, mattress and also for insulation and packaging. The process of taking out the husk from the fruit is also known as De-husking.

The second part of the husk which covers the majority of the portion is known as coconut Coir, (or coir) or Coco peat (cocopeat). Once considered as waste

product, this is now used as an alternative to peat moss in Gardening. Many people call this coconut coir by various names such coco coir, coco pith, coco peat, cocopeat, coir dust, coco soil or only coir. For simplicity I will represent this by the single word coir.

Coir does provide a suitable substrate for horticultural use as a soil-less potting media. As coir is high in sodium and potassium, and sometimes contains excess salt, it needs to be treated before using as a growth medium for plants. It is first washed, screened and graded into various granularity and density.
India and Sri lanka produces most of the coir in the world. Apart from these two, Mexico, Indonesia, Vietnam etc have also started producing coir now a days.

Coir can be of two types viz, sterilized and unsterilized. In case of sterilized coir peat the fungi Trichoderma is not present due to sterilization. Trichoderma work in symbiosis with plant roots and protect the plant from harmful pathogenic fungi such as pythium. That is one of the reason people now a days are shifting from using sterilized to unsterilized one.

 

Coco Coir Uses:

Join Gardening ABC Youtube Channel

Coconut coir can be used almost anywhere you can use peat moss such as seed starters, bedding, gardens, container etc. It is resistant to bacterial and fungal growth. It provides all new opportunities for potting mix suppliers, seedling nurseries, Hydro-phonic growers and green house growers.

In horticulture and gardening, coconut coir is a strongly recommended substitute for Peat moss because it is free of bacteria and fungal spores.As a substitute it  helps slowing down peat extraction from environmentally sensitive swamps worldwide. It also has very good water retention and suitable aeration facility which helps to faster growth of roots.

Coco Coir contains a good amount of cellulose and lignin. As mushroom thrive on Cellulose, coir is used as a substrate to cultivate Mushrooms.
Coir generally have a pH level in the range of 6-6.5. which is very good pH level for most of the plants.

You can not use coir as a sole component in the medium to grow plants. The nutrient content in it is very low. If you insists growing solely on coir, you need to add nutrients as per the need of the specific plants. Coir from countries like India and Sri Lanka though contains several macro and micro-plant nutrients including substantial quantities of potassium, which interfere with the magnesium availability of the soil.

Generally, coir has a deficiency of Calcium and Magnesium, so adding a good amount of dolomite (which contains both of those elements) can be a very good idea.

Apart from agricultural usage dry coir can be used as an oil absorbent specially on slippery floors as it has very good absorbing ability. It is also used to absorb animal waste.

Coir is hydrophilic unlike peat moss and can quickly re-absorb water even when completely dry. Coco peat is porous and cannot be over watered easily. Coconut coir is not only a natural, organic product, but unlike peat moss a renewable one.

Buy 5 Kg Coir Block

Like the article? Why not share it with others:

Related Articles on Coco Coir:

Why you should grow strawberries in Coir?Different soilless media for growing plants 
A Miracle grow called Organic Potting Soil: The best soilless potting Mix 
 

A basic Idea about Peat Moss

soil-less - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about soil-less, i was write this article for sharing Article peat Moss, Article soil-less, Article soil-less media, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : A basic Idea about Peat Moss
link : A basic Idea about Peat Moss

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After discussing on various soil-less growth media in brief in my earlier blog, I have planned to share some more information on the individual media. This is the first issue where I shared some information on one of the most controversial and popular soil-less growing media, Peat Moss. Hope you will like it.

Peat Moss refers to decomposed and dead remain of many components such as mosses, sedges and shrubs etc. But the most common part is Sphagnum Moss. The moss typically grows on top of the bog (deep and wet marshes)and the peat is produced underneath. Ideal condition for formation of peat is wetland where flows of oxygen is not abundant due to the obstruction caused by flood and thus causing slow rate of decomposition. When plant material is inhibited from decaying fully(due to lack of oxygen and presence of acidic medium) then it accumulate as peat. Cool climates are the places where it can be found in plenty. 

Country such as Canada, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand are biggest source of Peat Moss.

On the basis of decomposition state Peat moss can be of three types:

Fibric peat moss: It is the least decomposed one among the three types and contains fibers in intact condition.

Hemic peat moss: It is much more decomposed than the Fibric one but not as much as Sapric type.

Sapric peat moss: This is the most decomposed form.

The usage of Peat moss can be plenty, but here I will only focus on its use in agriculture and gardening.

The use of peat moss in gardening and agriculture has became very popular due to its water retaining ability(can hold up to 20times of its weight) and rich nutrient content. You can mix peat moss with soil it will retain the moisture in dry condition and also its proper drainage capacity prevents the excess water from killing the roots.

Peat can also store nutrients although peat by itself is not fertile. Due to this reason it can also used as fertilizer to the soil.

Peat moss is typically very acidic and can be toxic to plant roots. It is recommended to use by mixing with different other media(with soil or go soil-less ). Before adding it to soil make sure you do the soil pH testing. If the surrounding soil is already high in acid content you should not add peat moss as it will hurt the plant very badly.

Apart from Agricultural and Gardening purpose peat moss are also used in different purposes such as source of fuel(in some countries), water filtration, in preservation, balenotherapy etc.

Controversies:

The popularity of peat has also caused some controversy when it comes to resourcing. Though sphagnum grows in many places, it usually accumulates very slowly, at the rate of about a millimeter per year. But its extraction rate far exceeded its re-growth rate. There are some ongoing debate about whether it should be consider as a “fossil fuel” or “renewable fuel”. Though some of the agencies are considering it as a “Slow-renewable fuel”.

 When the demand outpaces the natural production, there is a danger of over-farming. It also lead to a ultimate destruction of bog habitat that support a number of birds, small mammals, insects and microbial habitat.

A last word of caution if you want to use peat moss, or using it regularly take protective measures such as wearing face-masks and gloves. Like every other plant in the moss family, Sphagnum also contains spores, inhaling which can be dangerous. In some cases peat moss contains some harmful bacteria which can cause skin irritation and can cause deceases in case it enters into the bloodstream.

After discussing on various soil-less growth media in brief in my earlier blog, I have planned to share some more information on the individual media. This is the first issue where I shared some information on one of the most controversial and popular soil-less growing media, Peat Moss. Hope you will like it.

Peat Moss refers to decomposed and dead remain of many components such as mosses, sedges and shrubs etc. But the most common part is Sphagnum Moss. The moss typically grows on top of the bog (deep and wet marshes)and the peat is produced underneath. Ideal condition for formation of peat is wetland where flows of oxygen is not abundant due to the obstruction caused by flood and thus causing slow rate of decomposition. When plant material is inhibited from decaying fully(due to lack of oxygen and presence of acidic medium) then it accumulate as peat. Cool climates are the places where it can be found in plenty. 

Country such as Canada, Northern Europe, Scandinavia, New Zealand are biggest source of Peat Moss.

On the basis of decomposition state Peat moss can be of three types:

Fibric peat moss: It is the least decomposed one among the three types and contains fibers in intact condition.

Hemic peat moss: It is much more decomposed than the Fibric one but not as much as Sapric type.

Sapric peat moss: This is the most decomposed form.

The usage of Peat moss can be plenty, but here I will only focus on its use in agriculture and gardening.

The use of peat moss in gardening and agriculture has became very popular due to its water retaining ability(can hold up to 20times of its weight) and rich nutrient content. You can mix peat moss with soil it will retain the moisture in dry condition and also its proper drainage capacity prevents the excess water from killing the roots.

Peat can also store nutrients although peat by itself is not fertile. Due to this reason it can also used as fertilizer to the soil.

Peat moss is typically very acidic and can be toxic to plant roots. It is recommended to use by mixing with different other media(with soil or go soil-less ). Before adding it to soil make sure you do the soil pH testing. If the surrounding soil is already high in acid content you should not add peat moss as it will hurt the plant very badly.

Apart from Agricultural and Gardening purpose peat moss are also used in different purposes such as source of fuel(in some countries), water filtration, in preservation, balenotherapy etc.

Controversies:

The popularity of peat has also caused some controversy when it comes to resourcing. Though sphagnum grows in many places, it usually accumulates very slowly, at the rate of about a millimeter per year. But its extraction rate far exceeded its re-growth rate. There are some ongoing debate about whether it should be consider as a “fossil fuel” or “renewable fuel”. Though some of the agencies are considering it as a “Slow-renewable fuel”.

 When the demand outpaces the natural production, there is a danger of over-farming. It also lead to a ultimate destruction of bog habitat that support a number of birds, small mammals, insects and microbial habitat.

A last word of caution if you want to use peat moss, or using it regularly take protective measures such as wearing face-masks and gloves. Like every other plant in the moss family, Sphagnum also contains spores, inhaling which can be dangerous. In some cases peat moss contains some harmful bacteria which can cause skin irritation and can cause deceases in case it enters into the bloodstream.

Different soilless media for growing plants

soil-less - Looking for Aquaponics And Hydroponics Systems Today i will give you some info about soil-less, i was write this article for sharing Article current trends in gardening, Article organic, Article organic gardening, Article soil-less, Article soil-less media, I hope this article very helpfull for you

Judul : Different soilless media for growing plants
link : Different soilless media for growing plants

soil-less

For a good growing media it is necessary that the plant gets a healthy balance of water and air.Soil sometimes contains harmful bacteria and fungi, and prone to be infected by pests, weeds and soil-borne diseases. The soil-less media are generally considered cleaner and sterile. These media, as the name suggests, doesn’t include soil; plants are grown in different organic or inorganic materials. Soil-less media are getting more and more popular particularly among container gardeners these days.

Some of the most commonly used alternative media are:

1.       Peat moss: It promotes good aeration and water retention capacity. It is light weight and sterile and ideal for germination of seeds. Usually used with other other media.

2.      Perlite: These are basically expanded volcanic rocks and white in colour. It is very lightweight and holds air. Unlike peat moss it doesn’t hold water so need to be mixed with other media for best use.

3.       Vermiculite: It can be used as a substitute of perlite. Like perlite it also doesn’t hold water. It can retain nutrients and help a mix resist changes in pH(a measure of the alkalinity or acidity of a medium).

4.       Coarse sand: It is another medium used by people. Though it improves drainage and aeration, doesn’t retain water.

5.      Coconut coir:Now a days this medium is getting more and more popular. It is the extracts from the coconut husk. It has the same properties as peat moss but with much less mess.

 Your own mix:

Depending upon your choice of crops you can prepare your own mix. Standard practice is mixing Coconut coir(or peat moss), perlite(or vermiculite), small amount of fertilizer(Soil-less mix doesn’t have much fertility by itself. So you need to provide fertilizer from outside) and ground limestone(so that soil-less mix will contain the nutrients also).  There are several other soil-less mix recipes available online which you can easily find. Also there are several ready mix available for you to buy.

For best results:

1. Lightly moisten the mix before filling the container.
2. Don’t pack the mix too tightly when planting.
3. Water thoroughly after planting.
4. In absence of fertilizer in the mix, start fertilizing two or three week after plantation.

Read more about soil-less media:
Why you should grow strawberries in Coir?
A Miracle grow called Organic Potting Soil: The best soilless potting Mix
Coconut Coir and its use as a Soil-less Growth Media 

I would be very happy if this blog helped you in any form. Please post anything you want to share.

For a good growing media it is necessary that the plant gets a healthy balance of water and air.Soil sometimes contains harmful bacteria and fungi, and prone to be infected by pests, weeds and soil-borne diseases. The soil-less media are generally considered cleaner and sterile. These media, as the name suggests, doesn’t include soil; plants are grown in different organic or inorganic materials. Soil-less media are getting more and more popular particularly among container gardeners these days.

Some of the most commonly used alternative media are:

1.       Peat moss: It promotes good aeration and water retention capacity. It is light weight and sterile and ideal for germination of seeds. Usually used with other other media.

2.      Perlite: These are basically expanded volcanic rocks and white in colour. It is very lightweight and holds air. Unlike peat moss it doesn’t hold water so need to be mixed with other media for best use.

3.       Vermiculite: It can be used as a substitute of perlite. Like perlite it also doesn’t hold water. It can retain nutrients and help a mix resist changes in pH(a measure of the alkalinity or acidity of a medium).

4.       Coarse sand: It is another medium used by people. Though it improves drainage and aeration, doesn’t retain water.

5.      Coconut coir:Now a days this medium is getting more and more popular. It is the extracts from the coconut husk. It has the same properties as peat moss but with much less mess.

 Your own mix:

Depending upon your choice of crops you can prepare your own mix. Standard practice is mixing Coconut coir(or peat moss), perlite(or vermiculite), small amount of fertilizer(Soil-less mix doesn’t have much fertility by itself. So you need to provide fertilizer from outside) and ground limestone(so that soil-less mix will contain the nutrients also).  There are several other soil-less mix recipes available online which you can easily find. Also there are several ready mix available for you to buy.

For best results:

1. Lightly moisten the mix before filling the container.
2. Don’t pack the mix too tightly when planting.
3. Water thoroughly after planting.
4. In absence of fertilizer in the mix, start fertilizing two or three week after plantation.

Read more about soil-less media:
Why you should grow strawberries in Coir?
A Miracle grow called Organic Potting Soil: The best soilless potting Mix
Coconut Coir and its use as a Soil-less Growth Media 

I would be very happy if this blog helped you in any form. Please post anything you want to share.