This is an old clay mine, here on the Denver Front Range, that was active during the early 1950’s and closed in the late 1970’s. The clay that was mined here was a very high quality form of vermiculite that was used to make fire-resistant tile and crucibles. The biggest consumer of this clay was the Coorstek Factory in Golden, Colorado, owned by the famed Coors Brewing Company. The mine is closed but it really cool to look at.

One of my favorite discussions and explanations of casing layers, by Paul Stamets and J.S. Chilton

Since first trying this technique on a my peperomia cutting which wasn’t taking to water, I’ve been able to save many other failing leaves and cuttings! Cacti and succulents are in perlite, some with gravel on top to hold them in place. Peperomia likes vermiculite!

We get this question a lot.  While vermiculite is not Asbestos, much of it was contaminated with Asbestos.  For this reason, precautions are necessary and Abatement often required.

The chilli seeds got mouldy when I planted them in these incubators so I washed out the containers before planting squash and tomato seeds. Six squash seeds in just compost. Six tomato seeds in compost with vermiculite on top. Chopped up kitchen roll pots.

What’s in potting soil, where it comes from, and the environmental impact of each component, from coca coir and compost to perlite and peat moss.

In which I mix my own soilless medium from coir and vermiculite (so I’m feeling pretty proud of myself RN), and I glitter like I’m made of gold.

These gems are vermiculite and perlite. I made a rough animation of their fusion dance a while ago, but i had no ref go them. Now I do!