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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 28, 2011 14:18:25 GMT
I had a bag of Perlite from the UK - (can't get it here - well I have never seen it and when I ask people just shake their heads) and when I was in the UK I bought back a bag of Vermiculite this time...
I intend to take loads of cuttings next week and will just bung them into pots full of vermiculite (no earth) to root - it worked well with Perlite and I think it will be as successful with Vermiculite..
Has anyone any experience with it??
RF
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Post by Jasmine on Aug 28, 2011 15:05:04 GMT
I've used vermiculite for the first time this year but as a cover over newly sown seeds - it worked well. Never thought to try cuttings in it. Let us know how you get on RF.
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Post by isabella on Aug 28, 2011 17:40:32 GMT
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Post by Auricula on Aug 28, 2011 18:25:38 GMT
Same here Isabella  |
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Post by Chuckles on Aug 28, 2011 19:32:14 GMT
I've used a 50/50 compo and vermiculite for seeds and sprinkled it on top too. I usually use Compo and horticultural grit 50/50 for cuttings. Never thought of using it for cuttings, it will make a nice light and easy medium for roots to grow into and not become to water logged. Mmmmm good idea RF  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 29, 2011 6:07:50 GMT
I aim to take a lot of cuttings this week (if it stops raining) and I will do them all in vermiculite without any compost at all.
One thing that I did find out when I did it before was that the perlite/vermiculite sticks to the roots a little which actually helps as the plants don't need to be watered so much...
I will post some pics when I have finished.
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Aug 29, 2011 6:53:50 GMT
It will be interesting to see how you get on Rf. I use it but mixed with either seed sowing or mp compost for sowing and potting on.
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Post by Jasmine on Aug 29, 2011 6:58:18 GMT
I need to be using it more from the sounds of things.
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 29, 2011 7:02:48 GMT
I have just spent the last half an hour looking on the web again and it seems since the last time I looked (couple of years ago) things have changed a little here and I can manage to buy it - if not from a builders merchant then the web....
Thanks for the website Tig - it took me elsewhere but it was the start that I needed.
When I had some before I used it in tubs as well to help water retention - one doesn't need a summer like this though.
RF
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 29, 2011 14:19:19 GMT
Thanks to the link that Tig gave me I eventually found a site that was selling exactly the Perlite I need which is Perlite perligran 06. www.duengerexperte.de/knauf-perligran-r-0-6.htmlThe site won't mean much but you can click on the pics and see what it is. Now that I have enough (100l - enough for half the village) I am going to grow some plants in it directly and not use soil. I did this once before and grew two geraniums in it and they were magnificent - then I potted them on adding a compost and they died....could have been too much water then...dunno. I am also hoping that if I grow without compost I won't get as many problems as I did last year with bugs... RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Aug 29, 2011 14:22:06 GMT
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Post by isabella on Aug 29, 2011 14:43:53 GMT
Will you pot the cuttings up when they have rooted Rosefriend? My cuttings have to stay in their trays until the end of February and I just wonder if they were in 'neat' vermiculite if they would last that long for me  Also as a bag costs about £7.99 in a garden centre it would be very expensive for me i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/undecided.gif |
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 29, 2011 15:02:41 GMT
Much cheaper in the UK of course - I have just paid over 20Euro for 100l including postage. However it lasts a long time...
The last time I did this was 2006 I think - the year GWD started. I remember thinking I would post about it and then thought that people would think that I was slightly mad so I let well alone. Now that we all know each other better and everyone knows that I really am slightly nuts then I feel I can post !!!
I did Geraniums (PG) and Fuchsia cuttings before and I was really amazed at the very strong little plants that I got. Apart from 2 I did pot them on in small pots with compost and kept them in the guest bedroom and because it was cool they stayed small until later on...
As I have so much this time I will experiment a little and see which way is the best.
I also wonder if it would be an idea to add some to tom pots - would watering be less etc etc....
Don't for heavens sake lose your plants Isabella - perhaps yopu can buy a small bag and just try a couple of things and see how it works for you??
RF
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Post by Geranium on Aug 29, 2011 15:09:10 GMT
I've just dug out an elderly Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve' and it was so woody that all the growth on it was too - I chopped off a few pieces - would they root in vermiculite do you think, or am I wasting my time? Tip cuttings they ain't! HELP!!  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 29, 2011 15:37:19 GMT
I honestly don't know - I certainly don't think you are wasting your time though - it is always worth a try and I think Vermiculite would be interesting to try.
Can you try different ways - vermiculite, water and possibly straight in compost??
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Aug 29, 2011 16:58:40 GMT
They normally root very well Geranium, I used to have one and took lots of cuttings which I gave away to friends, but it got too woody and I had to get rid of it. I'd not taken any cuttings from it that year. I'd say they'll root for you unless you're unlucky, as Rf says, do a few different ways.
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Post by isabella on Aug 29, 2011 18:10:23 GMT
I've just dug out an elderly Erysimum 'Bowles' Mauve' and it was so woody that all the growth on it was too - I chopped off a few pieces - would they root in vermiculite do you think, or am I wasting my time? Tip cuttings they ain't! HELP!! I would say it is worth a try Geranium i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif |
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Post by Geranium on Aug 29, 2011 18:43:15 GMT
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Post by carolann on Aug 29, 2011 19:11:05 GMT
I have never thought of just useing Perlite/vermiculite I always do a 50/50 mix but I may just try some Fuchsia's this Autumn thanks RF for posting this I will give it a try for sure.
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Post by Auricula on Aug 29, 2011 22:25:44 GMT
I'll try it too |
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Post by purplejulia on Aug 30, 2011 17:44:21 GMT
I bought a 10 litre bag of Perlite from Wilkinsons today for £3.18. Funny price; must be something to do with the change in VAT rate. It's quite a large bag so thought it was a bargain.
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Post by Missredhead on Aug 30, 2011 19:56:27 GMT
Thats where RF got her vermiculite from  I get confused between the Perlite and the Vermiculite....have to read the bags  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Aug 31, 2011 7:25:03 GMT
Yes I did Missy, you are right...
I thought that it was cheaper in the UK until I started to work it out.
10litres - 3.18 Pounds which is roughly 3.59 Euro.
100 litres at that price is then 31.80 Pounds or 35.90 Euro
I paid 14.98 Euro (13.25 Pounds) plus postage for 100 litres....P & P was expensive but in total I paid 22.48 Euro which is 19.89 Pounds - still a lot cheaper than the UK.
However having said that I did see smaller amounts on Ebay that worked out a lot more expensive..
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Aug 31, 2011 10:57:48 GMT
When you work it all out like that you did get a bargain Rf.
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 2, 2011 11:39:32 GMT
Well - I have just taken delivery of my bag of Perlite.....erm..do you think I have got enough...  RF |
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Post by isabella on Sept 2, 2011 12:41:28 GMT
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 2, 2011 12:44:21 GMT
Mmmh I think so too Isabella. Here are my first Geranium cuttings in Perlite...  The ones at the front I am keeping apart from the others as I saw a tiny caterpillar on one of the leaves and I want to be sure that there is nothing lurking in there... I can't do anymore at the moment as it is too warm now...will carry on tomorrow morning.. RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 2, 2011 16:11:08 GMT
You've surely enough there to last for years Rf, good for you. ;D I do hope your cuttings do well for you. Are they just in Perlite and nothing else? Are you giving them bottom heat or just leaving them as they are?
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 2, 2011 16:38:25 GMT
They are just in Perlite - the way I did them before...I am hoping for the same fantastic results as before...touch wood!!
I used recycled plastic strawberry punnet thingy's with holes and filled it with Perlite and then half filled it with water and left it to run out...I made sure that all the Perlite was moist but not swimming. Then I just did the cuttings and made a hole and bunged them in...
I am just leaving them as they are - I have taken them in the GH - just hope that the slugs don't enjoy them in the night...
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 2, 2011 17:49:35 GMT
Fingers crossed Rf.
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