KushCanuck
Well-Known Member
Hey guys, this is the first of the SOGG Groups daily posts for members but to be enjoyed by all 
. Check out the group in my signature, hoping to get one of the most active, passionate groups going strong. Already have many great members and an active forum. Organics 
. Thanks everyone, enjoy
Perlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has relatively high water content. In horticultural applications it makes composts and soils more open to air, while still possessing good water retention properties. Perlite is commonly used in hydroponics for this very reason. Because it is neutral in pH, sterile, and light weight it is very practical for container growing and indoor growing. Perlite can be a staple in soil or soil/less mediums mainly due to its superior aeration.
The elemental properties of perlite are as follows:
* All analyses are shown in elemental form even though the actual forms present are mixed glassy silicates. Free silica may be present in small amounts, characteristic of the particular ore body. More specific information may be obtained from the ore supplier involved.
Some common uses for Perlite include:
Seed Raising
- Perlite encourages quicker germination, improved seedling growth
- Sow on a well watered mixture of equal parts perlite and sphagnum moss peat or add 1 part perlite to 2 parts of ready-mixed potting compost
- Perlite may also be used 100% provided that it is kept wet at all times by capillary irrigation or an intermittent mist. Sprinkle fine peat over the seeds, and cover with glass or plastic to retain moisture until the seeds have germinated
Potting Compost
- Perlite is held wholly or partly in place or sand or grit in potting compost where it improves aeration, draining and insulation, and also facilitates rewetting. Perlite can be used to open up peat-based or ready-mixed loam compost.
- For soil/less composts mix 3 4 parts of sphagnum moss peat with 1 part of perlite (roughly 80/20).
- For loam based compost, mix equal parts of sterilized loam, peat and perlite (1:1:1 ratio) plus limestone and nutrients. You could also use a 1:2:1 mix. Mix thoroughly, then water well after planting, and feed as appropriate.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite has many of the same traits as perlite and has been used in various industries for over 80 years. It is used in the construction, agricultural, horticultural, and industrial markets. Vermiculite is the mineralogical name given to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate which resembles mica in appearance. Vermiculite mines are surface operations where ore is separated from other minerals, and then screened or classified into several basic particle sizes. When subjected to heat vermiculite has the unusual property of exfoliating or expanding into worm-like pieces (the name vermiculite is derived from the Latin 'vermiculare' - to breed worms). This characteristic of exfoliation, the basis for commercial use of the mineral, is the result of the mechanical separation of the layers by the rapid conversion of contained water to steam.
The elemental properties of Vermiculite are as follows:
* All analyses are shown in elemental form even though the actual forms present are mixed glassy silicates. Free silica may be present in small amounts, characteristic of the particular ore body. More specific information may be obtained from the ore supplier involved.
Potting mixes with Vermiculite
- Vermiculite in potting compost gives a very light open compost, holding more water and facilitating re-wetting, thereby lengthening the time between watering. Vermiculite also has excellent ion exchange properties which absorb excess nutrients and release them slowly to the plants via the finest root hairs.
- A 50/50 mix of vermiculite and sphagnum moss peat is widely used for greenhouse pot plants and hanging baskets, while a 25/75 mix is generally suitable for bedding plants, nursery stock, etc.
- To improve an existing compost add 20-25% by volume of Vermiculite and mix thoroughly
Peat Moss
Sphagnum is a genus of between 151-350 species of mosses commonly called peat moss, due to its prevalence in peat bogs and mires. A distinction is made between sphagnum moss, the live part growing on top of a peat bog, and sphagnum peat moss, the decaying matter underneath. Bogs are dependent on precipitation as their main source of food and nutrients, thus making them a favorable habitat for sphagnum as it can retain water and air quite well. Members of this genus can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; some species can hold up to 20 times their dry weight in water, which is why peat moss is commonly sold as a soil amendment. The empty cells help retain water in drier conditions. In wetter conditions, the spaces contain air and help the moss float for photosynthetic purposes. Sphagnum and the peat formed from it do not decay readily because of the phenolic compounds embedded in the moss's cell walls. An additional reason is that the bogs in which Sphagnum grows are submerged, deoxygenated, and favor slower anaerobic decay rather than aerobic microbial action. Peat moss can also acidify its surroundings by taking up cations such as calcium and magnesium and releasing hydrogen ions.
Decayed, compacted Sphagnum moss has the name of peat moss. Peat moss can be used as a soil additive which increases the soil's capacity to hold water and nutrients by increasing capillary forces and cation exchange capacity (CEC). This is often necessary when dealing with very sandy soil, or plants that need an increased moisture content to flourish. One such group of plants are the carnivorous plants, often found in wetlands bogs for example). Dried Sphagnum moss is also used in northern Arctic regions as an insulating material. Peat moss is also a critical element for growing mushrooms; mycelium grows in compost with a layer of peat moss on top, through which the mushrooms come out, a process called pinning.
Humus
Humus is vital to the growth and health of plants. It brings about balance to the soil and thereby promotes a much healthier plant by increasing the metabolism of a plants root system. Vigorous plants are better able to fight off disease and insects. Humus delivers what we gardeners really want: higher yields and better quality flowers, vegetables and fruits. Humus is the result of the decomposition of animal and vegetable matter through the action of bacteria. The decomposition process by microorganisms in the soil creates two acids, Humic and Fulvic acids. Humic acids are large molecules that play a major role in maintaining good soil structure and have a great capacity to retain and exchange nutrients. Fulvic acids consist of molecules smaller than those of humic acids and form soluble metals with soil nutrients, thus move vital nutrients from the soil to the plant. Humus also contains several horticulture nutrients: organic calcium, organic nitrogen, bagasses extract, potassium hydroxide, biuret urea and phosphoric acid.
Humus vs Chemical Fertilizers
Humus has a number of unique properties that differentiates it from chemical fertilizers
- Reduces the amount of chemical fertilizers needed by plants.
- Improves soil structure by increasing its permeability, permitting greater aeration and porosity.
- Increases the capacity of retaining and exchanging nutrients.
- Increases the cellular activity, stimulating balanced growth of plants by improved germination of seeds, greater root development, higher chlorophyll content, and higher vitamin content.
- Increases permeability of the cellular membranes resulting in higher absorption of nutrients through both roots and leaves.
- Encourages the development of beneficial soil microorganisms.
- Unlocks the nutrients in the soil so that they can be assimilated by the plant.
- Stabilizes pH.
Stay tuned for Part 2 everyone, happy growing
KC
. Check out the group in my signature, hoping to get one of the most active, passionate groups going strong. Already have many great members and an active forum. Organics . Thanks everyone, enjoyPerlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has relatively high water content. In horticultural applications it makes composts and soils more open to air, while still possessing good water retention properties. Perlite is commonly used in hydroponics for this very reason. Because it is neutral in pH, sterile, and light weight it is very practical for container growing and indoor growing. Perlite can be a staple in soil or soil/less mediums mainly due to its superior aeration.
The elemental properties of perlite are as follows:
Silicon
33.8
Aluminum
7.2
Potassium
3.5
Sodium
3.4
Iron
0.6
Calcium
0.6
Magnesium
0.2
Trace
0.2
Oxygen (by difference)
47.5
Net Total
97.0
Bound Water
3.0
Total
100.0
* All analyses are shown in elemental form even though the actual forms present are mixed glassy silicates. Free silica may be present in small amounts, characteristic of the particular ore body. More specific information may be obtained from the ore supplier involved.
Some common uses for Perlite include:
Seed Raising
- Perlite encourages quicker germination, improved seedling growth
- Sow on a well watered mixture of equal parts perlite and sphagnum moss peat or add 1 part perlite to 2 parts of ready-mixed potting compost
- Perlite may also be used 100% provided that it is kept wet at all times by capillary irrigation or an intermittent mist. Sprinkle fine peat over the seeds, and cover with glass or plastic to retain moisture until the seeds have germinated
Potting Compost
- Perlite is held wholly or partly in place or sand or grit in potting compost where it improves aeration, draining and insulation, and also facilitates rewetting. Perlite can be used to open up peat-based or ready-mixed loam compost.
- For soil/less composts mix 3 4 parts of sphagnum moss peat with 1 part of perlite (roughly 80/20).
- For loam based compost, mix equal parts of sterilized loam, peat and perlite (1:1:1 ratio) plus limestone and nutrients. You could also use a 1:2:1 mix. Mix thoroughly, then water well after planting, and feed as appropriate.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite has many of the same traits as perlite and has been used in various industries for over 80 years. It is used in the construction, agricultural, horticultural, and industrial markets. Vermiculite is the mineralogical name given to hydrated laminar magnesium-aluminum-iron silicate which resembles mica in appearance. Vermiculite mines are surface operations where ore is separated from other minerals, and then screened or classified into several basic particle sizes. When subjected to heat vermiculite has the unusual property of exfoliating or expanding into worm-like pieces (the name vermiculite is derived from the Latin 'vermiculare' - to breed worms). This characteristic of exfoliation, the basis for commercial use of the mineral, is the result of the mechanical separation of the layers by the rapid conversion of contained water to steam.
The elemental properties of Vermiculite are as follows:
Silicon
38.0
Aluminum
10.0
Magnesium
16.0
Calcium
2.5
Potassium
3.0
Iron
9.5
Titanium
2.0
Oxygen (by difference)
16.0
Net Total
97.0
Bound Water
3.0
Total
100.0
* All analyses are shown in elemental form even though the actual forms present are mixed glassy silicates. Free silica may be present in small amounts, characteristic of the particular ore body. More specific information may be obtained from the ore supplier involved.
Potting mixes with Vermiculite
- Vermiculite in potting compost gives a very light open compost, holding more water and facilitating re-wetting, thereby lengthening the time between watering. Vermiculite also has excellent ion exchange properties which absorb excess nutrients and release them slowly to the plants via the finest root hairs.
- A 50/50 mix of vermiculite and sphagnum moss peat is widely used for greenhouse pot plants and hanging baskets, while a 25/75 mix is generally suitable for bedding plants, nursery stock, etc.
- To improve an existing compost add 20-25% by volume of Vermiculite and mix thoroughly
Peat Moss
Sphagnum is a genus of between 151-350 species of mosses commonly called peat moss, due to its prevalence in peat bogs and mires. A distinction is made between sphagnum moss, the live part growing on top of a peat bog, and sphagnum peat moss, the decaying matter underneath. Bogs are dependent on precipitation as their main source of food and nutrients, thus making them a favorable habitat for sphagnum as it can retain water and air quite well. Members of this genus can hold large quantities of water inside their cells; some species can hold up to 20 times their dry weight in water, which is why peat moss is commonly sold as a soil amendment. The empty cells help retain water in drier conditions. In wetter conditions, the spaces contain air and help the moss float for photosynthetic purposes. Sphagnum and the peat formed from it do not decay readily because of the phenolic compounds embedded in the moss's cell walls. An additional reason is that the bogs in which Sphagnum grows are submerged, deoxygenated, and favor slower anaerobic decay rather than aerobic microbial action. Peat moss can also acidify its surroundings by taking up cations such as calcium and magnesium and releasing hydrogen ions.
Decayed, compacted Sphagnum moss has the name of peat moss. Peat moss can be used as a soil additive which increases the soil's capacity to hold water and nutrients by increasing capillary forces and cation exchange capacity (CEC). This is often necessary when dealing with very sandy soil, or plants that need an increased moisture content to flourish. One such group of plants are the carnivorous plants, often found in wetlands bogs for example). Dried Sphagnum moss is also used in northern Arctic regions as an insulating material. Peat moss is also a critical element for growing mushrooms; mycelium grows in compost with a layer of peat moss on top, through which the mushrooms come out, a process called pinning.
Humus
Humus is vital to the growth and health of plants. It brings about balance to the soil and thereby promotes a much healthier plant by increasing the metabolism of a plants root system. Vigorous plants are better able to fight off disease and insects. Humus delivers what we gardeners really want: higher yields and better quality flowers, vegetables and fruits. Humus is the result of the decomposition of animal and vegetable matter through the action of bacteria. The decomposition process by microorganisms in the soil creates two acids, Humic and Fulvic acids. Humic acids are large molecules that play a major role in maintaining good soil structure and have a great capacity to retain and exchange nutrients. Fulvic acids consist of molecules smaller than those of humic acids and form soluble metals with soil nutrients, thus move vital nutrients from the soil to the plant. Humus also contains several horticulture nutrients: organic calcium, organic nitrogen, bagasses extract, potassium hydroxide, biuret urea and phosphoric acid.
Humus vs Chemical Fertilizers
Humus has a number of unique properties that differentiates it from chemical fertilizers
- Reduces the amount of chemical fertilizers needed by plants.
- Improves soil structure by increasing its permeability, permitting greater aeration and porosity.
- Increases the capacity of retaining and exchanging nutrients.
- Increases the cellular activity, stimulating balanced growth of plants by improved germination of seeds, greater root development, higher chlorophyll content, and higher vitamin content.
- Increases permeability of the cellular membranes resulting in higher absorption of nutrients through both roots and leaves.
- Encourages the development of beneficial soil microorganisms.
- Unlocks the nutrients in the soil so that they can be assimilated by the plant.
- Stabilizes pH.
Stay tuned for Part 2 everyone, happy growing
KC
.
). Ive broken down a compost recipe above to display the brown portion, the rest is pretty self explanatory. I place 1 Gallon pots below my runoff tray to catch and preserve the nutrient rich runoff. The whole system (both containers side by side) cost me collectively $12.00 CDN at Home Depot. The cheapest, most effective nutrients one can get is right under your noses, be thrifty everyone, more times than not your organics can be resused for good.
. The next update will be Vermicomposting, should be informative for the masses. Hopefully this thread can one day become a stickied Organics thread for research. Stay tuned everyone, that's for the support
