|
Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
Konnrade
↑↑↓↓<--><-->BA



Registered: 09/13/05
Posts: 13,833
Loc: LA Suburbs
Last seen: 9 months, 13 days
|
Substitute for vermiculite?
#4775794 - 10/09/05 02:48 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
I'm nearly ready for a grow (just waiting for important mats to arrive in the mail), and have arranged for everything I need that I don't allready have, save for vermiculite.
Now, I haven't found vermiculite in any places which are positioned so as to allow visiting them to work within my schedule, and since I just had to replace a motherboard that got fried I'm beyond broke, in fact in debt.
I was wondering if there were any household items which could be used as a moisture holder in place of vermiculite?
I had thought of breaking up a sponge into small, rough chunks. Would that work?
I'm doing a small grow at first to get my bearings on the how-to's, so no need for anything larger than enough for 3 or 4 half-pint PF jars.
--------------------
I find your lack of faith disturbing
|
Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: Konnrade]
#4775876 - 10/09/05 04:13 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
there really is no substitute for vermiculite, I've recently found it a Lowes you can also purchase it online, a couple of our vendors carry it and most hydro shops as well
|
Konnrade
↑↑↓↓<--><-->BA



Registered: 09/13/05
Posts: 13,833
Loc: LA Suburbs
Last seen: 9 months, 13 days
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: Prisoner#1]
#4775918 - 10/09/05 05:00 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
darn... I guess I'll have to hoarde away some of my money from my debtors and use it on the verm I need to get a grow going.
No doubt I can find it though, I'll just have to go to one of the less conveniently located retailers. I should remind myself to have enough extra cash for bus fare.
--------------------
I find your lack of faith disturbing
|
cosmiccharlie
Stranger
Registered: 10/09/05
Posts: 1
Last seen: 18 years, 4 months
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: Konnrade]
#4776210 - 10/09/05 08:51 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Hi, Im new and have been trying the PF method myself. Some guy at home depo told me that they stopped selling vermiculite and only sell perlite. I trie the microwave tech with a few disposible containers and I am getting germination. IS there anyone else who has tried this? Ill let you know how my experiment comes out.
|
astralpiper
Stranger
Registered: 10/08/05
Posts: 57
Last seen: 17 years, 6 months
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: cosmiccharlie]
#4776251 - 10/09/05 09:04 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
I think everybody has pretty much stopped selling it. It used to be everywhere. I went everywhere looking for it last year. Nurseries didn't even have it. I finally did find it at Home Depot.
I don't think the perlite is going to work for you too well if you're using it as a substrate ingredient.
|
Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: astralpiper]
#4776294 - 10/09/05 09:19 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
astralpiper said: I think everybody has pretty much stopped selling it.
many places have based on reports from one mine that is now shut down, there was asbestos also found in that particular mine and as stated, it's no longer active I've called and pestered the corporate buyers at home depot regarding vermiculite and other things on many occasions, I hate being able to find something one day and the next it's a dscontinued item that I absolutely need.
there are plenty of places that still sell vermiculite, check with companies that sell insulation
|
Konnrade
↑↑↓↓<--><-->BA



Registered: 09/13/05
Posts: 13,833
Loc: LA Suburbs
Last seen: 9 months, 13 days
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: Prisoner#1]
#4779118 - 10/09/05 09:31 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
ack... well my goal was to avoid lots of time and/or money spent on acquiring something. I'm limited to places I can walk to on foot, and also limited to petty cash, normally $15 or less on hand at any given time. Right now about $7. So the notion of shipping vermiculite (which if I recall from my reading is very heavy and costly to ship) to me from an online vendor is probably a no-go.
Verm has no substitutes at all? No porous absorbent household items which could also function to hold moisture in? Pumice I suppose has pores far too large, and sponge may not be rigid enough... argh. I suppose I could ask my local ACE Hardware manager if he could order a bag for me, but I bet that wouldn't be cheap
--------------------
I find your lack of faith disturbing
|
NESpores
Formerly MyLady


Registered: 04/17/05
Posts: 464
Loc: Vermont USA
Last seen: 17 years, 11 months
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: Prisoner#1]
#4779188 - 10/09/05 09:43 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
check at feed stores. Blue Seal Feeds ALWAYS has it, no matter which location. I got a good sized bag for 6.75 or something. Its a SHITLOAD of vermiculite though! after 9 half pint jars i still have a hard time closing the bag. http://www.blueseal.com/
and personally i would like the idea of using small bits of sponge, but sponges always contain this wierd sudsy stuff that keeps spores from germinating. Its not even a soap, and its in sponges labeled as 'no soaps or detergants added'. I only know this because it is the only reason my sponge grow failed... and it would be a bitch to cut them into 1/4 inch or smaller pieces.
and id be willin to trade you for some vermiculite, cause Im a nice guy PM me. I might even just send some if you have nothin to trade.
-------------------- Did your grow fail, and now your out of spores? Problem Solved. Check out my CakeSaver Tek. http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/5236115/an/0/page/0
|
JackTackle
pinningmycologist

Registered: 09/18/05
Posts: 282
Loc: behind you
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: NESpores]
#4779208 - 10/09/05 09:46 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
a well stocked pet store with a reptile section will have it
-------------------- Stay Blue!

|
Ogla


Registered: 02/16/04 
Posts: 11,320
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: JackTackle]
#4779295 - 10/09/05 09:59 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
i get my coir at petco and petsmart (they stock it in and out). Verm dose seem hard to find. not a walmart, not a homedepot, not at ace, not a sears, almost not anywhere. but i lucked out at Lowes. theys sell it by the perlite and peat/spangum moss. i dont think every lowes has it. you might have no choice but to order online. check a feed store?
|
Nychthemeronster
Shroomery Addict



Registered: 09/08/05
Posts: 153
Loc: North America
Last seen: 12 years, 1 month
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: Konnrade]
#4779421 - 10/09/05 10:15 PM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Whabam!
PM'ed
|
Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
|
Re: Substitute for vermiculite? [Re: Konnrade]
#4781013 - 10/10/05 05:31 AM (18 years, 4 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Konnrade said: the notion of shipping vermiculite (which if I recall from my reading is very heavy and costly to ship)
actualy vermiculite is lightweight and bulky, thats where the shipping expense comes in, it's size
|
|