Vermiculite is a clay mineral similar to montmorillonite and a layered silicate. It is generally formed by hydrothermal alteration or weathering of biotite. Sometimes it is coarse biotite (this is the biotite illusion of vermiculite), and sometimes it is as fine as soil. When vermiculite is heated to 300℃, it can expand 20 times and bend. At this time, vermiculite is a bit like leeches (leeches are commonly known as leeches), so it has such a name. Vermiculite is generally brown, yellow and dark green, and has the same luster as oil. They turn gray when heated.
In agriculture, vermiculite can be used as soil improver. Because of its good cation exchange and adsorption, it can improve soil structure, store water and conserve moisture, increase soil permeability and water content, and turn acidic soil into neutral soil. Vermiculite can also play a buffering role, hinder the rapid change of PH value, make the fertilizer slowly released in the crop growth medium, allow a little excessive use of fertilizer, and do no harm to plants; Vermiculite can also provide crops with potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron and trace elements such as manganese, copper and zinc. Vermiculite has the characteristics of water absorption, cation exchange and chemical composition, which makes it play multiple roles of fertilizer conservation, water conservation, water storage, ventilation and mineral fertilizer.
gardening
In horticulture, vermiculite can be used for flowers, vegetables, fruit cultivation, seedling raising and so on. Besides being used as potting soil and regulator, it is also used for soilless culture. As a nutrition base for planting potted trees and commercial seedbeds, it is especially beneficial to plant transplantation and transportation. Vermiculite can effectively promote the growth of plant roots and the stable development of seedlings. Provide water and nutrition necessary for plant growth for a long time, and keep the sunshine temperature of roots stable. Vermiculite can make crops get enough water and minerals from the early stage of growth, promote plants to grow faster and increase yield.