PREMICA™ exfoliated  vermiculite is of very high standard. The material has very low grit content and low density.

The standard grades are used in Horticulture, animal feeds and Gypsum Boards.

The high specification grades are used in the manufacture of brake linings, clutch facings and fire proofing materials.

How to use in Horticulture:

Exfoliated vermiculite has the excellent property of improving soil aeration while retaining the moisture and nutrients to feed roots, cuttings and seeds for faster growth.

• It is permanent, clean, odorless, non-toxic and sterile. It will
  not deteriorate, turn moldy or rot. The pH is essentially neutral (7.0 - 9.5)
• It possesses cation exchange properties. So it can hold and make available ammonium, potassium, calcium and magnesium to the growing plant.
• When mixed with organic compost, natural soil or peat helps promote faster root growth and gives quick anchorage to young roots. Such mixes helps retain air, plant food and moisture, releasing them as needed by the plant.
• It is very light and easy to handle.
• It mixes easily with soil, peat, compost organic manure, pesticides and herbicides.
• When used as a carrier or bulking agent it ensures a more even distribution.

Applications:

Root Cuttings: Medium and fine grade vermiculite is used for this. Vermiculite is filled in bags or pots and watered throughly. Then the cutting is inserted into the vermiculite. And if the container has sufficient drainage, over wetting or watering normally is not a serious concern.

Soil Amending or soil conditioning: When the natural soil is heavy and sticky, vermicuite can be mixed in proportions of up to half the volume of the soil. This creates air channels and allows the soil mix to breathe.

When the natural soil is sandy, the use of vermiculite will help the soil hold the moisture and air needed for growth.

Mixing vermiculite in flower and vegetable gardens or in potted plants will provide necessary air and moisture to maintain vigorous plant growth.

Seed Germination: Vermiculite can be alone or mixed with soil. Very little watering will be required. There will be more and faster germination. When used alone, seed should be fed with a weak fertilizer solution when the first true leaves appear. When mixed with half of soil, peat or composted no additional feeding is required up to the time of transplanting.

Because vermiculite is sterile, the threat of damping-off is virtually eliminated. Later the seedlings can be removed from the vermiculite with little danger of breaking-off of the hair roots and the dense root growth enables the young plants to take hold immediately.

House Plants and Containers; Vermiculite eliminates the problem of compacted soil in pots. When it is mixed half and half with soil or compost it provides excellent aeration and moisture control. It also lightens the mix so that large pots can be placed on shelves or hung from the ceiling.

Storing Bulbs & Root Crops: Vermiculite provides a good storing medium for bulbs and tubers. The absorptive power of vermiculite acts as a regulator that prevents mildew and moisture flucuation during the storage perod. It does not take moisture from the bulbs but takes up free water from the outside, preventing storage rot. It also protects the tuber from out side temperature changes.