Hydroponics gardening guide - growing mediums used in hydroponics - Perlite and Vermiculite

Perliteprotective mask while working with it.
Perlite has been known for years as soil additive andVermiculite
growing medium, used to increase aeration and soilBeing another mined material, vermiculite resembles
drainage. Perlite belongs to mined materials, originatingmica rock in its natural state. Under the influence of
from volcanic glass. This natural material breaks intohigh temperature, this material breaks down into small
multiple tiny bubbles, when heated rapidly above 1600parts just like perlite.
deg. F.It is a common practice to use vermiculite in
Being one of the best hydroponic growing media,conjunction with perlite in hydroponics systems, since
perlite is usually used by itself or as a component inthese two ingredients complement each other.
mixtures with other mediums. Often it is vermiculite,Vermiculite is capable of retaining high volumes of
which is mixed with perlite in equal proportion. Besides,moisture (up to 200% - 300% of its own weight); and
perlite is often used as the major ingredient of soillesssince perlite cannot hold water that well, it is easy to
mixtures. Perlite is characterized with good wickingbalance your growing medium, so that it holds water
ability and thus it is commonly used in wick-typeand nutrients, while still supplying enough oxygen to
hydroponic systems. Finally, perlite is a relativelyplants roots. Usually, a 50/50 mixture of vermiculite and
inexpensive growing medium.perlite is used for hydroponic systems of drip type, as
The biggest weak point of perlite is that this materialwell as for ebb and flow systems. Similarly to perlite,
cannot hold water long enough. It means that perlitevermiculite is also an inexpensive growing material.
growing medium dries out quickly and requires moreThe major drawback is that vermiculite retains too
frequent watering. Besides, perlite dust can be harmfulmuch water.
for human health, and it is recommended to wear a