vermiculite as soil buffer?

[linksys]

the dude at the local hydro store told me vermiculite buffers the pH at 7 is this true?

 

[Guest]

The dude at the hydro store needs to find a new profession lol,vermiculite is used only for water retention,dolomite lime is used to buffer the soil ph to near 7.

 

[linksys]

thanks for clearing that up for me... i asked for dolomite lime and he asked what my soil mixture is i told him 50%OF 25%verm 25% perlite, and he said the vermiculite should keep ur pH at 7.0...

 

[Verite]

Go back and ask him how much vermiculite one needs to smoke to come up with answers like that.

 

[Guest]

Smoke it?He must be snorting it!If you use dolomite to buffer your soil and you have "hard" water like we have down here its because the groundwater on limestone,it turns to CaCo3 as soon at it hits the soil,my dog bowl proves it.Too much calcium caused me problems until I figured that one out dolomite has a lot more calcium than magnesium

 

[linksys]

lol yea i didn't really believe him... my last girl was grapefruit, and i believe i had a calcium problem according to MynameStitch's the complete guide to sick plants, ph, and pest troubles.... my tap water pH is around 7.0-7.2... i just got a pH meter for soil and the soils pH right now is at about 6.4... what happens to you dogs bowl, you get build up?

 

[Guest]

It gets totally calcified

 

[Verite]

The only interesting thing I found on vermiculite is that it has high cation exchange capacity properties. The other thing I found out interesting is its considered a clay. Both properties would require a slightly different approach on fertilization.

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

http://www.farmtested.com/56.html

 

[Guest]

I used the stuff when I first started with promix,equal parts perlite and vermiculite worm castings bla bla,ocean forest with perlite and a shot of dolomite is simple and effective I havent used vermiculite in a long time.Makes a good cloning mix 50% perlite 50% verm.,really hard to over or underwater.Better ways though bla bla

 

[linksys]

you guys really know what your talking about... thanks... im still gonna use the vermiculite and perlite together.... it works for me and its simple... ill just keep an eye on my pH and see what happens... the only way to lean is to make mistakes.

 

[Guest]

the only way to lean is to make mistakes.

[/U]

yep