Vermiculite- The mineral that boosts soil and crop yields
3. Sun Silicates Sun Silicates's vision is to supply technology driven products at competitive prices, while supplying hands–on customer focused technical services. e company manufactures industrial minerals, chemicals, uxes and specialised process equipment. Continual improvement forms part of the company ethos ensuring internationally competitive products and services. Sun Silicates is the only South African manufacturer that can supply both perlite and vermiculite to the industry. e SunPerl perlite is used in the following industries: Soil mixtures, Hydroponics, Insulation, Refractory materials, Filtration of oils, Filtration of beer, wine and fruit juices Perlite have been successfully used in virtually all horticultural applications including glass-house
Supplement
growing, landscaping, lawn and stadium turf and in a variety of container applications.
potting soil or used in the horticultural and hydroponic industries.
Time and time again it has proven its superiority in meeting the needs of commercial growers and home gardeners – hydroponic culture is no exception.
e bene ts of using vermiculite Improves aeration: By adding vermiculite to the soil you can improve the soils ability to hold and release water back to the plants. Vermiculite is porous and therefore will hold high levels of air in soils which is essential for root respiration and for the existence of soil micro-organisms.
Extensive testing has documented the superiority of perlite over other methods of hydroponic culture. Roots in perlite are always well aerated and watered. Perlite is physically stable and will retain its excellent air/water balance for many years if handled carefully. Some growers have used perlite for tomatoes more than one growing season and it has subsequently been reused for potting mixes and soil conditioning. SunPerl Vermiculite is a sterile, odorless and reproof mineral. Along with another naturally occurring mineral – Perlite – it's oen added to
Enhances drainage: SunPerl Vermiculite is extremely absorbent. It soaks up the water and holds that water until the soil starts to dry out. It then releases the water into the soil. Acts as a permanent soil conditioner. Unlike compost, which eventually breaks down into the soil, vermiculite doesn't break down.
Contributors
1. Eco-Vermiculite Nico Steenkamp Tel: +27 15 306 0162 Fax: +27 86 550 3256 nico.steenkamp@lantic.net 13 Impala street, Tzaneen South Africa www.ecovermiculite.co.za
www.farmersreviewafrica.com
2. Mandoval Vermiculite Innovation Eloise Mandoval eloise@mandoval.co.za Tel: +27 11 864 5205 www.mandoval.com
[55] FARMERS REVIEW AFRICA
3. Sun Silicates Gerbrand Haasbroek Managing Director B Eng (Metal) Hons Mobile: +27 83 700 3970 Office: +27 11 824 4600 gerbrand@sunsilicates.co.za www.sunsilicates.co.za
September - October 2017