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Post by Jasmine on Sept 3, 2011 6:48:27 GMT
You've got enough to keep you going for a while RF!
So what is the difference between perlite and vermiculite - could you just use vermiculite?
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 3, 2011 7:51:48 GMT
I bought some vermiculite whilst I was in the UK and to start with intended to use that but once I found out I could get Perlite here I changed my mind.
As far as I am aware the main difference between Perlite (volcanic) and Vermiculite (mineral--mica) is that Perlite doesn't absorb water and Vermiculite does. Perlite helps in pots with drainage and it is good for cuttings but if kept in Perlite it has to have nutrients added as it is sterile.
Vermiculite attracts nutrients but can clog if too much is added.
All this I found out whilst trying to find a place to buy the stuff.
I shall use the Vermiculite for when I start doing seeds to retain moisture.
The last time I used it I had fantastic success with cuttings...I am interested to see what happens this time.
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 3, 2011 8:34:10 GMT
We're all going to be watching to see how you get on with it Rf. They do use it in a mix a lot on the gardening programmes. It's looks lovely and clean to work with, Vermiculite does tend to go everywhere when I'm using it, it's so light.
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Post by Jasmine on Sept 3, 2011 10:35:52 GMT
Thanks RF. I shall have to look out for perlite.
I know LG - if you so much as sneezed over vermiculite it would all be gone! ;D
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 12, 2011 6:14:38 GMT
Right, got loads of cuttings now in Perlite and they have hardly sulked at all...just in the midday heat - the Geranium's are fantastic..    Just bunged my Fuchsia's in water..  and I shall leave everything in the GH's as long as I can. Just got the Peppers to do now. RF |
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 12, 2011 6:21:42 GMT
They're doing great Rf, it's definately working for you. Are those little shot glasses?  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 12, 2011 6:34:27 GMT
I am really pleased LG - it seems to be the same success that it was a few years ago - better be as I have 100litres of Perlite here and OH is still a little sceptical!!
Yes they are little plastic shot glasses - you can buy them here in packs of 10 - I find them ideal for cuttings...
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 12, 2011 6:35:32 GMT
............ or whatever  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 12, 2011 6:36:11 GMT
Sshhhhhhh!!
RF
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Post by Auricula on Sept 12, 2011 9:11:47 GMT
;D ;D looking forward to progress reports RF ( the cuttings not the Ashbach ) |
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 14, 2011 11:37:35 GMT
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Post by Jasmine on Sept 14, 2011 15:19:24 GMT
Where will you overwinter your geraniums and fuchsias RF?
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 14, 2011 15:56:50 GMT
Aaah well - the plan is this....
I have bought 100 (200 actually) small plastic beakers and once the cuttings have rooted I will plant them in those..... I have sorted some plastic boxes out and I just hope that I can manage to keep them in the beakers until Spring and then pot them on again.
I shall mix the compost with a lot of Perlite and hopefully not have to water too much and also cut down on bugs due to the Perlite. As Perlite is sterile it doesn't have anything that would interest bugs to start with.
All in theory!!
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 14, 2011 16:47:50 GMT
It sounds plausable to me Rf. I've seen articles about growing loads of veg hydroponically. (sp) I've seen a programme too.
Will you keep the beakers inside somewhere ?
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 14, 2011 17:34:39 GMT
Yep - spare bedroom.....erm anything that doesn't fit then in our bedroom...OH doesn't know yet...
I shall take them out of our bedroom at night and put them in the bath...he doesn't know that bit either...
Infact he doesn't really know any of my plans for looking after all the plants over winter!!
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 14, 2011 17:41:30 GMT
;D
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Post by Jasmine on Sept 14, 2011 17:48:41 GMT
Probably best RF! ;D
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 14, 2011 17:53:21 GMT
Definitely for the best methinks.
I normally get everything sorted out in the GH and then when he is otherwise occupied I start taking everything upstairs...
Then I say nothing and wait until he goes up and gauge his reaction with what he mumbles, grumbles or shouts my name....
I have an answer for each reaction...seems to have worked all these years anyway...
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Sept 14, 2011 18:50:02 GMT
I'm sure it'll work again this year Rf. |
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Post by Rosefriend on Sept 14, 2011 19:04:47 GMT
Lol - I hope so LG - I have more cuttings than ever before!!
RF
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 6, 2011 9:52:46 GMT
Bit of an update regarding the cuttings in the Perlite... I have potted some cuttings on today and was absolutely amazed at the root system...just under two months and the roots are fantastic... Sorry abut the pics - I thought I had the macro setting on ...I hadn't...you can still get a good idea though.. These are Pepino's, Salvia's, Heliotrop - never managed cuttings before and Shasta daisy's - again I have never managed cuttings of those either...!!      I planted some fuchsia's in one third compost and two-thirds Perlite and they are marvellous...  The chillies and peppers are coming along very well...  I still have the Geranium to pot on but I will do these in pure Perlite - the roots are far better and no disease either.  All in all I have got around 95% of all the cuttings through using Perlite which I think is very good... RF |
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Post by Tig on Dec 6, 2011 12:50:57 GMT
You'll be able to supply Olaf with that lot RF! Well done you (have they come to OH's notice yet?  ) x Tig |
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 6, 2011 14:08:53 GMT
Wonder if I should start a price list to show Olaf - haha??!!
Has OH noticed?.....yep both window ledges in the bedroom are full (I put them on the landing at night so that we can have the windows open) - spare bedroom is full as well...now then, I want to start Toms after Christmas....where though!!
RF
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Post by isabella on Dec 6, 2011 15:27:41 GMT
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Post by Ladygardener on Dec 6, 2011 17:43:04 GMT
Those look really smashing Rf, well done. I bought some perlite after you'd started this thread but forgot about it when I was potting on my Pelargonium. I think I'll take them out of their compost and put them into perlite at the weekend, they've started to get yellow leaves since I potted them on.  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 6, 2011 17:51:45 GMT
I am very impressed and also the fact that I only have to water once a week and not much either...
I shall do the Pelargoniums next week - only lost 3 from all the cuttings that I took...
Let me know how yours are Isabella and how yours go on in pure Perlite LG??
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Dec 6, 2011 17:54:52 GMT
Yes they will Rf I might even get them done before friday. Do you wet the Perlite before you use them or stand them in water to wet them or what Rf?
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 6, 2011 17:59:59 GMT
Today I filled a plastic up full of Perlite and then realised that it was a mistake as I didn't think that the roots would be so big so emptied half out again and then put the cutting in, filled to the top with Perlite and watered and let it drip out...it mustn't be too wet..
For cuttings straight from a plant I got those veggie plastic containers and filled it with Perlite, watered, let the excess water drain out and then I put the cuttings in - after that I just gave the containers a little water once a week.
I always made sure that there wasn't water sitting at the bottom of the containers...
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Dec 6, 2011 18:02:47 GMT
Rf thanks for the tips really appreciate them. I do hope my little Angel Pelargoniums survive for me.
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 6, 2011 18:32:51 GMT
I can only say that I have managed to keep double the amount (at least) of cuttings alive in Perlite...
RF
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