Perlite or Vercumculite

[Jason Wong]

Hi Cpers,
I just want to know why you all use perlite instead of Vercumculite, the brown coloured light solid which looks like coconut bark, only a deeper colour. I have seen the great effects of perlite and properties of perlite, however doesn't Vercumculite have similar properties, so why don't people use that as a substitute medium? Has anybody tried this before?

Yawn...I typed this at two in the morning so don't mind
(Phew my exams are seriously digging into my sleeping time... and my CP time!)

Thanks in advance
Jason

 

[Cindy]

Vermiculite contains minerals unlike perlite which is sterile (no minerals). It's much more suitable for neps and pings 'cos they don't mind the extra minerals.

Perlite is safer for use with the rest of the CPs.

 

[guqin]

I try not to use perlite as they tend to encourage algae growth under the growing conditions in my terrarium.