Masso Garden vermiculite in 5 litre bags

The Masso Garden vermiculite is a material derived from the thermal treatment of natural volcanic minerals. It is made of small, beige, blown and layered fragments, slightly shiny and extremely light, with exciting physical and chemical qualities in gardening. It allows lightening and improves the drainage of the plants' substrate, promotes germination and rooting, releases elements beneficial for plant growth, and retains water to gradually release it to the roots. Vermiculite can be used in pure or mixed form with potting soil.

Vermiculite, a 100% mineral in origin, is a volcanic rock composed of hydrated aluminium silicate, related to micas, rich in iron and magnesium. Heated to very high temperatures (1000°C), this mineral suddenly releases the water it contains and the layers that make it up separate, causing an increase in its volume. Vermiculite deposits are mainly found in the USA and South Africa, from where they are imported to Europe. It is an imputrescible substance, often neutral in pH, very light, hydrophilic, non-combustible, and an excellent thermal insulator. However, these blown particles are unstable and tend to compact over time, causing the substrate to shrink and potentially become suffocating for the roots.

Characteristics / physicochemical properties of vermiculite:

• This chemically active material can store and redistribute minerals beneficial to plants, such as iron, potassium, and magnesium, and exchange them for less desirable minerals.
• The pH of Masso Garden vermiculite is 7.4, close to neutrality.
• Very light, it weighs about 120 kg per cubic metre.
• It retains several times its weight in water but remains moderately available to the plant.
• Its particle size here is from 0 to 4 mm in diameter.
• It does not contain any asbestos residue.

Vermiculite in gardening:

• Promotes seed germination.
• Stimulates the growth of young plants.
• It provides good aeration, creating a favourable environment for root development.
• Not conducive to the development of mould and fungi.
• Lightens the substrate, making it easier to handle and move pots and flower boxes.
• Regulates humidity, partially compensating for watering neglect.

Vermiculite is generally mixed with potting soil and peat in 20 to 50% proportions, depending on the desired outcome. It can be used as a mixture in flower pots or temporarily on its own, especially when sowing or propagating plants that are very sensitive to excess moisture and soil fungi. It is also found in green roofs. Some plants, such as bonsai, cacti, and palm trees, thrive particularly well in vermiculite soil.

Perlite and vermiculite are similar materials that can be used together, and their respective qualities create an interesting synergy. These raw materials are abundant but not renewable, and they consume a lot of energy in their production and importation. Therefore, it is important to use them responsibly and in moderation, especially for delicate sowing or propagating operations. Moreover, these materials are often used in ready-to-use potting soils for sowing and propagation.