Gro-Sure Vermiculite 10 litre bag

Supplied in a re-sealable 10 litre bag.

Uses of vermiculite include:

Mixing into potting compost - by adding vermiculite to your potting compost you will be increasing aeration to create a light open compost and you will also be improving the moisture retention as vermiculite has a high water holding capacity so lengthening the time between watering. Vermiculite also has the ability to absorb excess nutrients and release them slowly to the plants via their roots.

Create a better growing media for your houseplants - by using a 50/50 mix of vermiculite and soil, peat or compost. As vermiculite is light this eliminates packed down soil in flower pots and creates good aeration enabling plant roots to more easily spread and growth resulting in healthy plant growth.

Vermiculite is ideal for water-loving plants - mixed into the growing media vermiculite soaks up water like a sponge. It then retains the water until the soil starts to dry out and then releases it back into the soil. In this way watering frequency is reduced.

Acts as a permanent soil conditioner - as vermiculite doesn't break down it will permanently Improve aeration, drainage and water retentions, unlike other soil improvers which break down over time.

For improved germination - especially of smaller seed use vermiculite at on top of the potting compost. When filling pots or seed trays fill to within ľ" of the top with moistened growing media. Then add a Ľ" layer of vermiculate and sow the seeds. You can then cover the seeds will a small layer of vermiculate (the rule of thumb is the covering should be approximately two times the size of the seed). Because vermiculite is light it allows seedlings to easily grow through it. And its bulky nature allows more light to reach the seeds / seedlings than covering with compost. And, because vermiculate is a sterile product it helps to prevent mould or algae forming which can kill delicate seedlings. 

What is vermiculite?

Vermiculite is the name given to a group of hydrated laminar minerals which look like mica. It is processed with a massive amount of heat which expands the vermiculite into pellets made up of multiple layers of thin plates. Vermiculite will not rot, deteriorate or mould and is enduring, odourless, non-toxic and sterile.

Top Tip

Vermiculite can be used on its own, without compost, at the start of the germination process. Simply mix larger seeds with vermiculite in a polythene bag and seal the bag. Keep the bag of seeds and vermiculite in a warm place until the seeds start to germinate - you can plant them singly into pots or trays of compost where they can continue to grow.