Quote Originally Posted by melodious fellow
Also, apparently vermiculite contains asbetos and causes cancer. And apparently perlite is way better anyway.
Perlite often times sends airborne particulates right into your face, too... which I'm sure isn't healthy by any standards. Any time I mix soil, I always wear a dust mask. The cheap, disposable ones you can buy at the grocery store. I also like to add blood/bone/kelp meal to my soil, and stirring everything up can cause a nasty, multicolored dust storm to blow up right in your face.

If you want to continue adding vermiculite to your mix, just wet it first before handling it. Same with perlite. This tends to drag all the minute particles to the bottom, leaving you with MUCH less dust.

...and, agreed. It doesn't sound like that shop owner will be in business for much longer. It might do him some good to actually read up on the products that he's selling. It would make him look much less like a total ass.

Take care. :jointsmile:
Mr. Clandestine Reviewed by Mr. Clandestine on . "CFLs Don't Grow Plants" and other such adeventures at the hydro shop. It was quite a journey. Was kinda high and missed the exit on the highway, more than once. Anyway, the hydro shop was kinda ghetto, but amazing nonetheless as it was my first time. The guy at the shop got in an argument with me, swearing that vinegar is highly alkaline and they use it to raise Ph. I cited the vinegar baking soda experiment, and he got mad at me and said "O, so you know more than me OKAY." Then he was kinda a jerk the rest of the time I was Rating: 5