What are your thoughts on vermiculite?
I personally don't like it anymore but I'm an idealist perhaps.. its puffed perlite, another lower grade aeration and volcanic waste product with high Aluminum (15%) and dangerous dusts, but its cheap and widely available so most people suffice/suffer with it without complaining.
But less hazardous, more beneficial choices are available, out there, and to me, and many of my peoples, much more preferable.. mineral and humus / decompaction lending aerations (2 seperate categories for us) is what you want
Some
higher quality, Mineral-Lending Aeration Sources include:
- Pumice
- Diatomite i.e. D.E. Rocks
- Sand, especially greensand, K Feldspar sand
- Volcanic Lava Rock
- Bio Char
- Bone Char
- ---------------
- Dacite
- Basalt
- Glacial rock 'dust'
And Five aerations that provide springy, decompacting effects, while providing Co2 and more beneficial humus / bacterial & fungal food as they break down...
- Leaf compost / Forest Floor compost (some call leaf mould)
- Rotting Wood Compost (thermophilic, aged 2 years)
- Organic buckwheat hulls
- Wild Rice Hulls
- Shredded Coco shell hulls
So hopefully one of those 10-15 other options are available for you
and aluminum free just whenever its easy / if possible. Not that silicate doesn't buffer but why risk having excess Phosphorus blockages and aluminum leeches in extremes when there could be other things in nature / stores that have this, even ask your store for the superior choices make them feel the heat of being so cheap..
Perlite prices.. still under $50 per tonne, even in recent years
Quote on perlite..
"Our premium mix also changes perlite out for more robust aerations. As we've mentioned elsewhere, perlite will eventually break down and compact in your pots, this isn't what we want! Instead we use pumice, diatomite and zeolite. All these minerals play out their own unique rolls in your soil as mentioned
here. " AU amendment company
Note that Hungarian perlite is better. Lower in Al and higher in Ca, Fe, and K
If buying perlite I would wear a mask, cut wholes in the bag, and flood it! But avoid it if you can
