Is there a shortage of vermiculite?

Vermiculite – Vermiculite (and to a lesser degree, perlite) is a challenge even during normal times due to the fact that production is a challenge. We anticipate extreme shortage of the material this year, with total unavailability for the first half of the year a real possibility.

Why is there a shortage of vermiculite?

The Perlite and Vermiculite industry has been impacted severely by the ongoing pandemic (Covid-19) crisis. The impact of COVID-19 include shortage of subcontractors and materials, supply chain disruptions, and the termination of contracts to control expenses.

What can I use instead of vermiculite?

Why is there a Perlite shortage?

COVID affected some of the mining, so that created some delays. The snow in February then created additional shipping delays.” Jerry continues, “But a bigger reason for the Perlite shortage is the number of states legalizing cannabis and marijuana.”

What is vermiculite do?

Vermiculite helps to aerate soil while simultaneously retaining water and nutrients, which it then releases over time. Vermiculite is therefore useful in seed sowing and propagation. It can also be added to house plant compost.

Benefits of Vermiculite - Garden Quickie Episode 48

What are the dangers of vermiculite?

By not disturbing the vermiculite, you are reducing your chances for exposure to asbestos. If vermiculite is disturbed, it could cause tiny, needle-like asbestos fibers to become airborne. Asbestos in the air can be inhaled and cause lung damage. If asbestos is not in the air, it is not dangerous to your lungs.

Does Lowes sell vermiculite?

Burpee Organic Vermiculite Improves Soil Structure in the Soil Amendments department at Lowes.com.

Is there a coco coir shortage?

In the past 20 years, the production and processing of coir pith has increased from 1 to almost 10 million m3 in 2019. Despite the success, the demand is high and many suppliers already cannot supply enough product to meet the demand—and that was before COVID.

Why is peat moss in short supply?

Not One but Two Bad Peat Harvests

Unfortunately, those Northern Canadian suppliers haven't harvested enough peat to meet growing demand for the past two years. The first bad peat harvest was caused by COVID-19. With quarantines and shutdowns, there wasn't the human power needed to properly harvest peat crops.

What is perlite used for?

Perlite is used in potting compost mixes to improves aeration, draining and insulation. Perlite can be used to open up the structure of ready-mixed loam or peat-based composts. For soilless compost mixtures, use 3 or 4 parts of Sphagnum Moss Peat to 1 part of perlite (80/20).

Can I use sand instead of vermiculite?

There is no reason to avoid using sand, unless you will be moving the containers frequently. Sand adds a considerable amount of weight but IMO does a better job at aeration than perlite/vermiculite. Perlite also tends to float to the top and grow nasty green algae/mold. I switched over to sand a few years ago.

Can I use perlite instead of vermiculite?

Perlite and vermiculite are both used to improve moisture retention and aeration in soil. They are used in a similar manner, but they are not interchangeable.

Can I use peat moss instead of vermiculite?

Vermiculite and peat moss are often used in conjunction to increase the water- and air-holding capacity of a growing medium. A ratio of 1 part peat moss to 2 parts vermiculite is a common formulation, plus the addition of other ingredients, depending on the purpose of the medium.

Is peat moss scarce?

The good news is that there is no shortage of peat moss. The bad news is that it is still in the ground. Fall 2020 was a wet season in Eastern Canada, and in order to harvest peat moss, it needs to be dry.

Is peat in short supply?

Peat moss is just one example of a critical growing component that's in short supply.

Is there a coconut shortage 2021?

Coconut yields slowly increased into the latter half of 2021 Shipments are at 2-3 months transit times caused by delays due to weather related events, labour shortages, equipment shortages, port/railyard congestion Coconut production remained high through the rest of 2021 Reliable shipping will continue to be an issue ...

Why is coconut in short supply?

Raw material for coconut sugar is still lagging due to the surge in demand during the pandemic, resulting in minimal surplus/safety stock in the US. The limited availability of shipping containers further exacerbates the problem and will most likely cause continued tight supply in the coming months.

Why is there no coconut milk in the stores?

PETA has been pushing stores to stop selling coconut milk it says are made with coconuts harvested by monkeys since it began investigating the alleged animal exploitation in 2019. Target, Costco, Wegmans, Walgreens, Food Lion, Giant Food and Stop & Shop have also dropped the Thailand-based brand.

Which is better vermiculite or perlite?

The main difference between the two, however, is that, while perlite for plants can suck up four times its weight in water, vermiculite sponges up to sixteen times its weight in water. So, vermiculite is more effective at gathering and redistributing moisture than perlite is.

What are the different grades of vermiculite?

Crude vermiculite is vermiculite that has not been heated or expanded and is divided into five primary grades based upon particle size. The grades are large, medium, fine, superfine and micron.

What is coarse grade vermiculite?

Coarse vermiculite improves soil's ability to nourish plants by improving its water retention and aeration. Vermiculite is a natural mica mineral that expands under extreme heat. Loosens soil, allowing roots to spread and grow. A great option for seed germination and cutting propagation.

Is vermiculite safe now?

Vermiculite is a naturally occurring mineral that is perfectly safe when pure. Unfortunately, an estimated 75 percent of it came from Libby, Montana, where it usually was contaminated with toxic amphibole asbestos. Exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly cancer.

Is there still asbestos in vermiculite?

Vermiculite and gardening use

An EPA study showed some vermiculite products contain low levels of asbestos. Asbestos is found primarily in the unmixed vermiculite product although some was found in pre-mixed potting soils. For consumers using vermiculite on an infrequent basis the health risk is low.

What percentage of vermiculite has asbestos?

The asbestos present in vermiculite is not bound up like it typically is in a building material and therefore the risk is potentially greater, even at percentages well below 1%. Unfortunately the 1% rule still predominates and often times a Qualitative result will not suffice no matter how much sense it makes.

Is pumice same as vermiculite?

Pumice is a hard volcanic rock that is very porous. Vermiculite is a hydrate silica mineral that has a soft clay-like texture. Both retain water and aerate soil. Vermiculite retains water better due to its soft structure.