Soil mix

[krso]

Hi guys, i need some help. Im using soil Nemhouse N8 and its great soil, im using it for 5 years now and its realy good, but now i have an option to add some vermiculite and perlite(none of those are in the soil ) but i was wondering the percentage of each to add?? what do you think is the best mix?

 

[vostok]

Vermiculite ...or cat litter, the stuff cats shit on in their tray, I'd avoid as it will hold water(good thing) but also hold a shit load of nutes,(bad thing)

Perlite ... some crazy rock like stuff acts like sand is harmless, promotes easy drains, makes air in soil, reduces root compaction ..I use 30% per pot volume ...luv it!

 

[krso]

Are you sure about verm?, because its volcanic rock(not cat litter) vich holds water, there is nothing ells in it.

 

[vostok]

Uses
Moulded shapes: this process involves mixing exfoliated vermiculite with inorganic bonding agents such as sodium silicate and potassium[clarification needed] to produce an 'earth damp' mixture. This material is then hydraulically pressed into shape in a mold, and then heat cured at temperatures up to 180 °C for up to 24 hours depending upon the thickness of the moulded part. Such parts can withstand service temperatures of up to 1150 °C and are often used in the aluminium smelting industry as back-up insulation behind the carbon cathode in the potcells which contain the molten mixture of cryolite and alumina. The moulded shapes and boards are used in:
Open fireplaces
High-temperature or refractory insulation
Acoustic panels
Fireproofing of structural steel and pipes
Calcium silicate boards: exfoliated vermiculite is added to a calcium silicate slurry, this is then dewatered by pressing or by using one of the Fourdriner/Magnani/Hatschek processes to form a flat board which is then heat cured under pressure (typically 10-15 bar) for periods up to 24 hours.
Brake linings: finer grades of exfoliated vermiculite are being used in brake linings primarily for the automotive market. The properties of vermiculite that make it an appropriate choice for use in brake linings include its thermal resistance, ease of addition to other raw materials to achieve a homogenous mix and its shape and surface characteristics
Roof and floor screeds and insulating concretes: exfoliated vermiculite (typically the finer grades) can be added at site to Portland cement and other aggregates, rheological aids and water to produce roof and floor concrete screeds or lightweight concrete which have the benefit of being lightweight and insulating. In many cases vermiculite based roof screeds are often used in conjunction with other insulation materials such as polystyrene board to form a total roofing system. A bituminous binder can also be used with exfoliated vermiculite can to produce a dry, lightweight roof screed which has the advantages of low thermal conductivity, low moisture content and ease of placement by pouring from the bag and then tamping.
Soilless growing media: exfoliated vermiculite is combined with other materials such as peat or composted pine bark compost to produce soilless growing media for the professional horticulturalist and for the home gardener. These mixes promote faster root growth and gives quick anchorage to young roots. The mixture helps retain air, plant food and moisture, releasing them as the plant requires them.[5] These mixes were pioneered by Boodley and Sheldrake
Seed germination: either used alone or mixed with soil or peat, vermiculite is used to germinate seeds. Very little watering is required. When vermiculite is used alone, seedlings should be fed with a weak fertilizer solution when the first true leaves appear. A tablespoon of soluble fertilizer per one imperial gallon (3.78 : 1) of water is the recommended mix
Storing bulbs and root crops: pour vermiculite around bulbs placed in container. If clumps are dug, allow to dry for a few hours in the sun and then place in cartons or bushel baskets and cover with vermiculite. The absorptive power of vermiculite acts as a regulator that prevents mildew and moisture fluctuation during the storage period. It will not absorb moisture from the inside of stored tubers, but it does take up free water from the outside, preventing storage rot.
As a soil conditioner: Where the native soil is heavy or sticky, gentle mixing of vermiculite up to one-half the volume of the soil is recommended. This creates air channels and allows the soil mix to breathe. Mixing vermiculite in flower and vegetable gardens or in potted plants will provide the necessary air to maintain vigorous plant growth. Where soils are sandy, mixing of vermiculite into the soil will allow the soil to hold water and air needed for growth.
As loose-fill insulation: Exfoliated vermiculite treated with a water repellent is used to fill the pores and cavities of masonry construction and hollow blockwork to enhance fire ratings (e.g. Underwriters Laboratories Wall and Partition designs), insulation and acoustic performance. Coarse grades of exfoliated vermiculite can be used to insulate lofts and attics. Exfoliated vermiculite has the benefit of being easy to use with application consisting of pouring the vermiculite between the joists and then leveling
Refractory/Insulation gunning and castable mixes: exfoliated vermiculite can be combined with high alumina (also known as calcium aluminate) cements and other aggregates such as expanded shale, clay and slate to produce refractory/insulation concretes and mortars. In the early days of their uses these products were batched at or very close to the place of installation, this continues to be the case in some limited circumstances, however more and more use is being made of pre-batched proprietary mixes. Mixes containing vermiculite are used in areas where strength and corrosion/abrasion resistance are of secondary importance, the most important factor being the insulation performance of the in place refractory lining. These mixes find their uses in such areas in industries including iron/steel, cement and hydrocarbon processing
As a constituent of a coating: vermiculite dispersions are typically either chemically or physically very finely delaminated vermiculite in a fluid medium. These dispersions can be used to make vermiculite 'paper' sheet by simply pouring them on to a piece of smooth low surface energy plastic and allowing to dry, the resulting sheet can then be peeled off the plastic.Typical end uses for vermiculite dispersions include in high temperature coatings or binders for construction materials, gaskets, specialty papers/textiles, oxidation resistant coating on carbon based composites, and as barrier coatings for films.
As a packing material, valued for its high absorbency
Waste treatment: the cation exchange capacity (up to 1000 milliequivalents per kg) of vermiculite allows it to be used in fluid purification processes for waste water, chemical processing and the pollution control of air in mines and gases in industrial processes. In addition to its ion exchange properties exfoliated vermiculite will retain liquids within the inter-laminar voids of the individual particles as well as between the particles themselves.
As a substrate for various animals and/or incubation of eggs
As a lightweight aggregate for plaster, proprietary concrete compounds, firestop mortar and cementitious spray fireproofing: Exfoliated vermiculite is used in both hand and spray applied general building plasters to improve coverage, ease of handling, adhesion to a wide variety of substrates, fire resistance, and resistance to chipping/cracking/shrinkage.
As an additive to fireproof wallboard
As a component of the interior fill for firestop pillows, along with graphite
As a carrier for dry handling and slow release of agricultural chemicals
As a growing medium for hydroponics.
As a hot topping: both exfoliated and crude vermiculite have been used for hot topping in the steel industry. When poured onto molten metal crude vermiculite exfoliates immediately and forms an insulating layer allowing the material to be transported to the next production process without losing too much heat.
Used to permit slow cooling of hot pieces in glassblowing, lampwork, steelwork, and glass beadmaking
Used in in-ground swimming pools to provide a smooth pool base: Finer grades of exfoliated vermiculite plus Portland cement may be combined either on site or a factory premix to provide a base for swimming pool vinyl liners. These mixes are either pumped into place using a rotor stator pump or hand poured.
Used in commercial hand warmers
Used as a sterile medium for the incubation of reptile eggs
Light-weight insulative concrete
Used in AGA cookers as insulation
Used in explosives storage as a blast mitigant
Used to absorb hazardous liquids for solid disposal
Used in gas fireplaces to simulate embers
Used as part of a substrate for fungi cultivation

and

Rutland Log Bright Vermiculite 5 Oz. Tub ( http://www.amazon.com/Rutland-Log-Bright-Vermiculite-Oz/dp/B000DZKYP8 )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vermiculite

 

[bakelite]

Hi guys, i need some help. Im using soil Nemhouse N8 and its great soil, im using it for 5 years now and its realy good, but now i have an option to add some vermiculite and perlite(none of those are in the soil ) but i was wondering the percentage of each to add?? what do you think is the best mix?

If there isn't any perlite or vermiculite in the mix, i'd suggest 10-20% perlite and maybe 10% vermiculite. Vermiculite will compress so don't use too much of it. The resulting soil mix will drain better, but may require more frequent watering.

-bakelite