|
|
Post by scrumpy on Apr 6, 2015 22:36:51 GMT
Perlite is better than vermiculite in rooting mediums.
Perlite and vermiculite are both good at retaining water, but vermiculite acts more like a sponge, holding much more water than perlite and offering less aeration for the plant roots. Perlite retains water because of its large surface area with nooks and crannies available for water storage. Because it is porous it allows excess water to drain more readily than vermiculite and improves soil aeration.
|
|
|
|
Post by sweetpea on Apr 6, 2015 22:36:53 GMT
Oops, sorry cici.
Just read my post back, and I came over all pedantic. It was just that I did geology at college, and I didn't want @raymond to get more upset. Clays tend to be alkaline in nature, whereas micas, hence vermiculite, are associated more with acidic rocks, such as granite.
I cover several of my seeds with vermiculite, and find it very useful  It was called 'Earth science' when I did my open university course. |
|
cici
Junior Member
Posts: 68 
|
Post by cici on Apr 7, 2015 2:17:49 GMT
Dianthus, now I'm curious about potential acidity of vermiculite... I had assumed it had a neutral pH. I'm sure it doesn't really matter in the large scope of things, but it's interesting. No worries about sharing info. That's always a good thing. And there's no need for Raymond to get upset over clay or mica, Heaven forbid!  I'm just sharing my experiences, and have tons more mistakes to make before writing the Ultimate Dahlia How-To book. Matter of fact, after saying how I learned how important it is to keep from messing with cuttings, I pulled up my seven day old cuttings to see if they rooted. Yes, they had indeed started, before I ripped the poor roots off checking. My hands weren't washed, either, so I think it would be pretty amazing if my Frizzy Lizzy and Elsie Hudson cuttings survive the trauma of me peeking. Duh.  |
|
cici
Junior Member
Posts: 68
|
Post by cici on Apr 7, 2015 2:32:38 GMT
Perlite is better than vermiculite in rooting mediums. Perlite and vermiculite are both good at retaining water, but vermiculite acts more like a sponge, holding much more water than perlite and offering less aeration for the plant roots. Perlite retains water because of its large surface area with nooks and crannies available for water storage. Because it is porous it allows excess water to drain more readily than vermiculite and improves soil aeration. Scrumpy, so glad you wrote this! I've been wondering about this for a month now, and was considering buying some perlite to experiment with cuttings. Have you used straight perlite for cuttings, or just with a peat based mix ?
The one thing with vermiculite that is a bummer is that it tends to disintegrate into the soil when added in during planting time. I was thinking that it might be a useful thing to use perlite and peat moss for my mix instead of vermiculite so the soil would benefit long-term with its aeration qualities. I heard about someone using perlite as a storage medium, too... Reason I use vermiculite in potting mix is because I use it to store tubers. |
|
|
|
Post by scrumpy on Apr 7, 2015 6:53:40 GMT
Peat, sand, perlite was my original mix. It has been added to over the years as I reuse the compost. I add additional compost, perlite, until it feels right. As some of the compost I add to it has vermiculite in goodness knows what actually is in my rooting mix now, but it works.
Never used perlite on its own for rooting so can't comment.
|
|
|
|
Post by Tel on Apr 7, 2015 7:08:39 GMT
I have used Durston seed and cutting compost for the first time this season,i have added nothing to it, no complaints from me. |
|
|
|
Post by dianthus on Apr 7, 2015 12:04:33 GMT
|
|
cici
Junior Member
Posts: 68
|
Post by cici on Apr 8, 2015 3:24:47 GMT
 Broad spectrum, indeed! Hoping to score a good pH reader for my birthday so I can play... Have to check out the three different grades of vermiculite I have in my shed, out of curiosity. I think wetting it and letting it sit for a while will do it... Or maybe I'll forget about vermiculite pH and get busy digging my new beds out! scrumpy, I have noticed that UK growers often use sand. Is there a rationale behind that choice, other then because 'it works?' Have you used a mix with / without and have seen a difference?
|
|
|
|
Post by Raymond on Apr 8, 2015 8:16:11 GMT
Just a total annoyance. Thanks your the good wishes Cat Lou78W dianthus . Just not my lucky year. Chin up keep going let's see what happens. Off to gc to buy some bits. Well I have 4 winholm Diane rooted and one Ac Abby and tels plants that should give me best in show beating Dave Spencer and his 1000 ! hahahaha [/font] You never know Raymond, if I can win a bronze medal at Harrogate for 3 Alf Ramsey when I only had the 3 blooms out, you can do the same. [/quote] My ambitions tel are vastly cut back I would just like to propagate some decent plants and get them in the ground ! Off to take more cuttings now. |
|
|
|
Post by Raymond on Apr 8, 2015 8:20:06 GMT
Just a total annoyance. Thanks your the good wishes Cat Lou78W dianthus . Just not my lucky year. Chin up keep going let's see what happens. Off to gc to buy some bits. Well I have 4 winholm Diane rooted and one Ac Abby and tels plants that should give me best in show beating Dave Spencer and his 1000 ! hahahaha Don't panic. No idea why you are still having problems. Don't think your problem is lack of air circulation. My cuttings never get any air around them. I've been away for 3 days, temperature in the greenhouse has been up to 40'c, cuttings just left in their trays covered with lids with a quick spray Thursday evening. Just had a look at them, none have wilted, plenty have rooted. Cuttings rooted in both pots and celltrays. I'll post a picture later. Scrumpy I am never buying Sinclair again. I bought some seed and cuttings compost total garbage. So much rubbish in it. I could sieve it but not going to use it. Silver sand and some in coir the last lit in coir look much much better. Now outdoor in summer house tubers look better as well That grow light forces them. What will be will be. Not panicking you have to learn from your mistakes And I will. Off to take more cuttings now. |
|
|
|
Post by dianthus on Apr 8, 2015 19:15:46 GMT
Good luck with your latest batch, @raymond
I have 30 seedlings come up in my pot.... looks like close to 100% germination |
|
|
|
Post by Raymond on Apr 8, 2015 20:25:53 GMT
Did not take cuttings today waiting until tomorrow as want to take a good batch. Trays prepared .
The pandemic of rot seems to have stopped. The odd one of the early batch still left have succumbed To the damping off. The most annoying thing is they where rooting !
The last batch I took look much much happier . Better colour and habit it gives me some hope.
|
|
|
|
Post by scrumpy on Apr 8, 2015 22:34:17 GMT
Broad spectrum, indeed! Hoping to score a good pH reader for my birthday so I can play... Have to check out the three different grades of vermiculite I have in my shed, out of curiosity. I think wetting it and letting it sit for a while will do it... Or maybe I'll forget about vermiculite pH and get busy digging my new beds out! scrumpy, I have noticed that UK growers often use sand. Is there a rationale behind that choice, other then because 'it works?' Have you used a mix with / without and have seen a difference? Always used sand in my mix. Helps with drainage and aeration. By sand, we mean sharp or builders sand. |
|
cici
Junior Member
Posts: 68
|
Post by cici on Apr 9, 2015 12:07:11 GMT
Perhaps my hubby will know what sharp or builders sand is... I'll ask. Growers I know in the US do not use sand in their potting mixes, though I have heard of one grower that uses just sand to root cuttings. She likes the root development better then other mediums- stocky and thick. Some folk also use layers of sand to overwinter clumps, but that sounds like a real cleanup hassle to me.
|
|
|
|
Post by Raymond on Apr 10, 2015 10:45:05 GMT
Took 34 cuttings this morning all lovely just one hollow. So that was good. Mary's jomanda, Weston pirate, senzoe Ursula, winholm Diane, Ac Abby and Clearview Debby. More candy and zoe soon. Can I ask I am noticing some yellowing on the leaves on some cuttings . Is this a lack of light ? Tips ok . Also one of my rooted winholm Diane the leaves going yellow is this root rot ? Bin ? Tel one of the garden friends and one wyns favourite have bolted up looking great would I be able to take the tip as a cutting ? Not sure how many sets of leaves up on these. I will post a picture tomorrow. could I move these into mini greenhouse so they get maximum light will place a propagstor lid over them at night so try are kept frost free. Will give them a spray as well just to be on the safe side with pests Etc... |
|
I'm just sharing my experiences, and have tons more mistakes to make before writing the Ultimate Dahlia How-To book. Matter of fact, after saying how I learned how important it is to keep from messing with cuttings, I pulled up my seven day old cuttings to see if they rooted. Yes, they had indeed started, before I ripped the poor roots off checking. My hands weren't washed, either, so I think it would be pretty amazing if my Frizzy Lizzy and Elsie Hudson cuttings survive the trauma of me peeking. Duh. 
