what can i subsitute for vercumilite

hi im living in medellin colombia and there are no grow stores like in the states, i am mixing potting soil with nice black soil from my back yard, but the soil is so dense in dont think the plants are getting enough o2 in the soil, what can i use instead of vercumilite in my soil mix? thx, rm

I would use pearlite, however you are probably unable to get that locally too.

You could always go the route I have to & mail-order the stuff.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008JSP0Z0/ref=asc_df_B008JSP0Z02249668?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&tag=nextagus0019627-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395093&creativeASIN=B008JSP0Z0

compost- old leaves and sticks but 1/4 inch or smaller pieces, like mulch. you can use tree bark but try to cut or chop it so the pieces are that small. mix organic matter, gravel, and small rocks are good too just mix it up in the ground , charcoal is one more thing they use sometimes but just use a little if you use it

yeah compost would work very well also sand will help loosen up thick soil

dont us wood. bark saw dust. it sucks up nitrogen.. what do your u have....... any pics or video of the soil. a video wood be great just of you holding it and breaking it up in your fingers. compost will work but any soil no matter how hard or dense will break up with manure. some may take alot more. even if you just throw it on top. the micros will sep down in the soil and break it up. the denser the longer and more it will take. i like to throw a shovel of cow poop and a dead fish in my holes and then cover it over water it good and then let it sit for the winter or 4-6 months when you dig it up youll see how it just losens it up. also worms are great. sand isnt that good you might make a brick out of it.

you could always use small stones...peace

lava rocks? Great for growing coke in your country correct?

some coarse sand

I wonder if a guy in a pinch might not be able to use crushed up Styrofoam peanuts.
It would be a pain in the ass but they might just work.

Can add a multitude of things. I'll list a few for ya.
Perlite
Hyrdroton (Fired Clay)
Silica Stone
Coco Fiber or Coco Peat
Peat moss

All of this will help create a higher Oxygen concentration while still allowing all your other nutes to do their thing. You can also look up different potting mixtures to find the best balance for the above.

Thegrump said:

Can add a multitude of things. I'll list a few for ya.
Perlite
Hyrdroton (Fired Clay)
Silica Stone
Coco Fiber or Coco Peat
Peat moss
All of this will help inhibit a higher Oxygen concentration while still allowing all your other nutes to do their thing. You can also look up different potting mixtures to find the best balance for the above.

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Wouldn't these items when amended into soil "promote or enhance" the O2 concentration and not "inhibit" it ?
Or, did I misunderstand the statement?

Oh, and welcome to RIU.

ratman said:

hi im living in medellin colombia and there are no grow stores like in the states, i am mixing potting soil with nice black soil from my back yard, but the soil is so dense in dont think the plants are getting enough o2 in the soil, what can i use instead of vercumilite in my soil mix? thx, rm

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Pumice, horticultural grade if possible. Also lava or sawdust from non-treated woods.

Don't use anything with cum in it. Hermies. cn

I know a guy who grows hydro in plain ass red lava rock you could add that.

ratman said:

hi im living in medellin colombia and there are no grow stores like in the states, i am mixing potting soil with nice black soil from my back yard, but the soil is so dense in dont think the plants are getting enough o2 in the soil, what can i use instead of vercumilite in my soil mix? thx, rm

Click to expand...

You might try looking for "Vermiculite" or "Perlite"

mwooten102 said:

I know a guy who grows hydro in plain ass red lava rock you could add that.

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I bet he grows monsters. Lava rock is native to columbia as well excellent for growing coco.

I used peat moss seemed the plants I had in soil with that I'd better than without it lol

GreatwhiteNorth said:

Wouldn't these items when amended into soil "promote or enhance" the O2 concentration and not "inhibit" it ?
Or, did I misunderstand the statement?

Oh, and welcome to RIU.

Click to expand...

Haha yeah. Was late for me when i posted that. Edited now. And thanks for the welcome. RIU Roxors my boxors.