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Post by Jasmine on Dec 6, 2011 18:41:50 GMT
Very well done RF.
I wonder how penstemons in perlite would do?
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Post by Auricula on Dec 6, 2011 18:43:33 GMT
I did a load of penstemon cuttings in perlite..............................they all died  |
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 6, 2011 18:45:17 GMT
Have a go - as far as I can see nearly everything seems to grow better and quicker...the root systems are really marvellous - wonder if it is because Perlite is volcanic and sterile....
Wish now that I hadn't mixed some compost in with the Perlite for the Fuchsia's - not even sure what I thought at the time but anyway they have grown very well even though I think 100% pure Perlite is possibly better.
RF
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Post by Jasmine on Dec 6, 2011 18:47:28 GMT
I'm going to give it a go - it seems obvious that cuttings like to be quite dry and need you to be very mean with the watering.
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 6, 2011 18:48:05 GMT
I did a load of penstemon cuttings in perlite..............................they all died Mmmh - wonder why - could they have been too wet perhaps?? Did they just rot or dry up?? RF |
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Post by Auricula on Dec 6, 2011 18:48:56 GMT
None of mine grew any roots at all - that always happens to me when I try them in water as well  It's nature's way of telling me to stick with the compost I reckon ;D ;D |
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 6, 2011 19:42:27 GMT
Just been reading about sowing toms, peppers, infact anything directly in Perlite...
Apparently there are 3 ways:
a) the seeds are big enough so that they don't slip through the Perlite - so just water, drain excess water off and sow..
b) the Perlite is pounded into more of a powder form and watered (excess drained off)...small seeds can't slip through then..
or
c) the Perlite is watered thoroughly, rest water is drained off and the seeds are scattered onto the wet Perlite and they stick to it. Then the Perlite is sprayed now and again...
Interesting - might have a go especially with things that I have never had any luck with up to now...
RF
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Post by Chuckles on Dec 10, 2011 13:42:20 GMT
Well don't they look great RF, those roots certainly look vigorous and healthy. Thanks for all the tips, well worth a try in my book  |
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Post by Ladygardener on Dec 10, 2011 13:59:33 GMT
I've moved 3 of the 4 Angel Pelargonium into pots with just Perlite. Fingers crossed they grow on for me. They did'nt have any roots but were still alive.
Thanks for the tips Rf I'm going to use my bag in the springtime, maybe mixed with some seed compost or maybe on it's own. For sure next year I'll try the Lavender that everyone says is so easy and I've never been able to get much success with.
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Post by Rosefriend on Dec 10, 2011 14:09:02 GMT
Do hope things go as well for you LG - I am totally convinced and will carry on with this method.
I have also found a use for the "used"Perlite that I did the cuttings in...I have added this to compost for larger posts so that hopefully the drainage will be a lot better. I lost some plants last year when the rain started as things just rotted - hopefully I will avoid this as the soil won't clog quite as much...
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Dec 10, 2011 14:11:42 GMT
Yes definately a good idea Rf, I've done that before with the perlite and compost I'd had in small pots.
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Post by Auricula on Dec 10, 2011 16:23:47 GMT
I'll give it another go in the spring |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 20, 2012 8:15:11 GMT
I have finally got around to doing my Geraniums that I planted in Perlite as well...I am very impressed...all in all I only lost 2 hanging and 3 upright ones. I have now planted them into single pots..   RF |
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Post by Jasmine on Jan 20, 2012 18:31:51 GMT
They've got good roots RF.
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 20, 2012 18:50:03 GMT
Yes they have and I have realised that the root system of all the cuttings in Perlite are far better than those planted in compost...plus no bugs and less watering as I have already said.
Rf
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Post by Jasmine on Jan 20, 2012 19:26:43 GMT
Spotted bags of perlite in the GC the other day - think I'll have to get some. Where have you over wintered your geranium cuttings RF?
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 20, 2012 19:47:01 GMT
All my cuttings are in the unheated bedrooms - the Geraniums are actually on the North side and the Peppers, Fuchsia'a etc are on the South side and do get a lot of sun although I lower the blinds. Strange but I have better luck with Geranium cuttings on the North side..
Once I put them in the GH they turn into lovely bushy plants and not leggy things.
The Fuchsia's do well on the South side and I can take cuttings from cuttings - this year in particular with the Perlite - if I was really honest, which I don't intend to be, I actually don't have to buy a single plant for the coming summer....!!
RF
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Post by Jasmine on Jan 20, 2012 20:04:44 GMT
Sounds like a perfect arrangement RF....except for the not needing to buy any plants this summer!
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 21, 2012 5:47:57 GMT
You've done really well with your cuttings Rf and it's certainly made me aware of the benifits of using the Perlite. Your big bag of it was well worth buying, those are great root systems. I'm going to pot on my pepper plants this weekend. I think at this stage I should use perlite and compost mixed, what do you think?
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 21, 2012 5:57:05 GMT
Yes I think so too - I think that Perlite and compost mixed would be good at this stage...
I am also wondering whether to do my spuds with a big helping of Perlite in them as well - last year I had one or two rotten ones after all the rain and it was obvious that the water wasn't draining off well...
There is no two ways about it Perlite really is well worth having and is marvellous for draining and cuttings...
Not too sure about Vermiculite as it can clog and holds perhaps too much water for small things...not had that much experience with it though....
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 21, 2012 5:59:54 GMT
Thanks Rf, that's what I'll do.
As to Vermiculite, I've got some of it as well and have found that it makes a film (can't think how to describe it) or a plate on the surface of the pots. I think it's good to help with drainage if enough of it is well mixed with the compost. I bought it because I could'nt get Perlite in the GC.
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 21, 2012 6:24:41 GMT
This is what I found out and posted before...
"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."
Unless a plant needed a lot of water I am not sure whether I would add Vermiculite to the soil - I think good drainage is possibly better..not sure tbh.
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on Jan 21, 2012 6:35:17 GMT
Interesting Rf. I think I need to be watering from below instead of pouring over the pot. I do with the Peppers and it's worked great.
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 21, 2012 6:43:56 GMT
Yes - I think that is the answer LG.
RF
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Post by Jasmine on Jan 21, 2012 8:12:37 GMT
I used vermiculite in the compost I planted my late autumn bought penstemon babies. I know this winter has been very different to the past but only 1 of the baby penstemon is looking a bit iffy. It may be a complete coincidence but vermiculite may have helped |
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 21, 2012 8:32:27 GMT
I have a small bag of Vermiculite that I brought back with me last time I was in the UK (Customs must have thought I was nuts) so I will try using that as well..
RF
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Post by Dutchy on Jan 21, 2012 12:33:03 GMT
Rosefriend, I had a word with some tree growers the other day. They said to simply rub a bit of polystyrene to bits and use those little white balls that you are left with as Perlite. ( it is what these guys do at home ) It does not absorb water and gives good drainage. Mind you the stuff is as static as it gets and will stick to anything but you could try putting it in a bag and bash/rub it until things are as fine as you want. And then hope it will not go be3rserk on you when you open the bag.
The stuff comes free as packaging with any apparatus you buy. So all you need to do is find some one who just bought a new radio ot tele or puter ;D
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Post by Auricula on Jan 21, 2012 14:12:29 GMT
No perlite nor Vermiculite at either Wyevale or B and Q............is there a great mica shortage??? ;D
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Post by carolann on Jan 21, 2012 14:35:43 GMT
I have a large tub of the stuff but seem to use the packaging out of boxes its great for putting the bottom of pots instead of stones also I have put some into a box and packed it with plants in pots to stop the soil freezing in the GH which works very well.
Great root system you have there RF well done.
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Post by Rosefriend on Jan 22, 2012 7:56:06 GMT
Rosefriend, I had a word with some tree growers the other day. They said to simply rub a bit of polystyrene to bits and use those little white balls that you are left with as Perlite. ( it is what these guys do at home ) It does not absorb water and gives good drainage. Mind you the stuff is as static as it gets and will stick to anything but you could try putting it in a bag and bash/rub it until things are as fine as you want. And then hope it will not go be3rserk on you when you open the bag. The stuff comes free as packaging with any apparatus you buy. So all you need to do is find some one who just bought a new radio ot tele or puter ;D Good idea Dutchy and one I did think of many moons ago - it was the fact that it sticks to anything except to what it should... plus it tends to either come in funny "s" shapes or blocks and breaking the blocks would probably make me look like a snowman even if I used your bag method.... Just looked on the web and found this - if you can be bothered to read it... www.schundler.com/polystyrene.htmwhich is about Perlite v Polystyrene in Potting Mixes... However the end results is that "Perlite enhances Total Porosity and Moisture Retention to a Greater Extent than Polystyrene! and this: "Polystyrene will degrade in UV light, so none of the polystyrene should be exposed to light." I think it would work well Dutchy if not as good as Perlite possibly. I have a large tub of the stuff but seem to use the packaging out of boxes its great for putting the bottom of pots instead of stones also I have put some into a box and packed it with plants in pots to stop the soil freezing in the GH which works very well. Great root system you have there RF well done. Carolann - I have Polystyene blocks wrapped in bin liners in the bottom of all my little GH's and then cut into 6/10" wide long strips and again in bin liners all around the sides of my big GH's - then a big one at the doors as well - great for winter. I also use a piece to stand my little peach tree on in the GH tp help against the cold. I bet big lumps would work well at the bottom of a tub as drainage. RF |
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