I read somewhere you can grow clones in a mix of perlite and vermiculite using no soil at all, but I can't find the post. If I recall correctly, it advocated a 25%perlite/75%verm mixture. Is his something that is do-able, or even suggested? I don't want to do it if there is going to be negative side-affects. From what I've read, the verm is equal to or better than normal soil for many things, including retention of nutrients, as well as less chances of harboring unwanted "friends" such as other plant seeds, mold, pests, and so forth.
I've grown with perlite and vermiculite mixture for quite a while. The only thing you want to watch is your mixture as vermiculite holds moisture for a very long time. If I were you I would start out using 50/50 mixture and check your plants to make sure they get a chance to dry out before more nutes get added. keylime
I finally found the post, and it advocated 75% perlite/25% verm, which makes much more sense to me as the vermiculite does hold a buttload of liquid. It's apparently harder to get vermiculite these days due to all the asbestos litigation, but it is still available.
yea, that's a lot better ..... I think I used a 3 to 1 ratio.... of course it all depends on your watering schedule.