Vermiculite

I don't use it Hywel, when I take semi ripes I just stick loads around the edge of a pot, keep them shady & watered and hope for the best!--- I don't even like hormone rooting powder

Thanks Pam.
I never get any success with rooting powder, nor with compost. That's why I tried Vermiculite to see what happened. I got 100% :o)

they look well Hywel.... i dont take many cuttings... a sthey usually fail...lol

They look good Hywel, I am about to take more cuttings and will try vermiculite. Is it very different from pearlite?

I do use it for some of my seedlings Hywel but I`ve never tried for cuttings. I never have much success with cuttings indoors with or without rooting powder, however I have often been successful using the water method.........

I'm like you Holly - hardly any success. That's why I tried this to see what happened lol

Yes Rachelsmum, it's not the same as pearlite at all. Good luck with your cuttings. I hope they do well.

Thanks Sue. I get no success with the water method lol. They root and then die after I plant them.

always take plenty is my advice and make sure the wood is semi ripe and not too hard or soft, heel cuttings are good too where you carefully pull off a side shoot, nip out the top and put them round the pot edge-- had a few pieces of Dracena when it had to be shortened a few months ago -- I did them as tip cuttings and 3 rooted from them, I find it fun to see just what will grow but some plants are easier than others!!!

glad all were successful hywel, i do water rooting which take but its keeping them over winter , i seem to fail with that part ;o(

They look very healthy Hywel, I filled a large pot with compost and put 9 cuttings in they have all rooted just stood outside in the garden, so I supose its a case of whatever works for you;0)

I use equal parts Vermiculite, sharp sand and compost and found it very succesful. I have two fuchia cuttings in same as we speak Hywel ! ;0)))

A year or so ago I tried with vermiculite but success was only partial. Some rooted ever so well others just died. I even put them in plastic bags, something I don't usually do. I root mine in compost mixed with vermiculite. I don't get 100% strike but sufficient to get along with. Like Pamg I take plenty. as I've no place to keep them they stand somewhere on the balcony, a table or perhaps the greenhouse (without the plastic surround!) even amongst the pots on the railings! Sometimes if there is room on the windowsills indoors they end up there. Really it's a case of finding some place light but not sunny - not easy when the sun comes in through the windows on all 3 sides of our flat!

At the present moment I have a pot of 4 or 5 Fuchsia cutting on the balcony table. I think they must have rooted but I haven't got around to checking yet. Nevertheless, in the coming couple of weeks I will have to remove the square, plastic table & put out the round wooden table. This is a lot bigger & sits all winter in the corner of the balcony. I put a big, thick plastic bag on it & fill it with the plants I want to keep over winter. It has no top & is about a metre (3ft) sq.& high. I roll it down until frost is forecast when I raise it again. I've kept plants that way for many years now. Even during last winter the majority managed to survive.

I can never remember ..which is the one that helps to hold water and which one helps with drainage..or is it the same pearlite and vermiculite, and grit for drainage..shows how long ago..I used to use it.

Both Pearlite & vermiculite aid drainage at the same time as holding onto water so that the plants roots can find it easily. Grit does no more than open up the soil making it drain faster but doesn't hold on to any water.

Never having bought Pearlite for use in my pots I can't comment on it. It often comes with shop/nursery bought plants. I love the use of vermiculite & my plants all agree with me! They make masses & masses of really fibrous roots. I often mix about a 1/4 of it by volume with the compost I buy.

Thanks Balcony the volume tip is great, Im off to buy some Vermiculite for the stuff Im potting on. They have to stand outside in winter and this should help stop them getting sticky feet.

I know I used to use it but must've lost the bag..and the memory getting ..

Hi Hywel, I'm not expert but I tried some fuschia cuttings in August, although I've read that around March is the ideal time. Anyway, I put plastic bag over the pot and put in the cold frame and they've all taken, no verm. used just seed compost with a bit of sand mixed in, I did use root hormone.

i mix it with my compost and that does work well too.
good blog Hywel :o)

Thank you all for your observations. It was interesting to note the methods used by everyone.

I've never had much success with cutings, especially fuchsias, never mind how I did it.
However by using vermiculite on it's own I have had more success.
I don't know why but it seems different methods work better for different people.

Great blog Hywell, think we all learned a little something here

They look very healthy Hywel well done there. Should have a good show next summer!

I think thats very true Hywel we all have different gardens and conditions and do what suits us,( maybe you forgot to sprinkle them with 'magic dust' and this new phase of your life has reawakened your green fingers)

Very interesting blog and good to hear what how others do things. Any cuttings I take are always rather 'hit and miss' but I will certainly be buying some vermiculite when I next go to a garden centre.

Such a great informative blog, Hywel! Thanks for all the advice from you knowledgable Goyers out there! The Lilac cuttings you sent me Hywel have done well, I think I have about 5 that have taken, just in ordinary compost! Am chuffed to bits.... :~))x

Thank you all :o)

I'm pleased your cuttings are doing well Floribunda. Maybe you'll have a few flowers next year.

I vermiculite many years ago but wasn't happy with the results.

I use 25% horticultural sand and 75% potting compost and get pretty good results with virtually everything. I used to use rooting hormone but ran out of it ,noticed no difference ,so now I don't bother.

I've tried mixing sand and compost, but things always seem to die on me. I've found vermiculite best. I suppose we'll have to stick with what works for us in our own gardens. I've tried rooting powder aswell, but no luck with it. Everything just dies lol

I've never used sand or grit but find vermiculite to be really great. I love the stuff & so do my plants! As for rooting powder I've not used it in so many years I almost forgot the stuff even exists still! I get pretty good results using compost with vermiculite.

Hywel,have you seen Anchorman's blog on taking cuttings? I have just posted another comment on it.... thanks AM.:o))

Thank you both.
Yes Sandra I have seen the blog :o)

I've made a note to get vermiculite as well! I haven't any cuttings to sort this year....but...next year, well....I will! :)

Great blog, Hywel....and great comments too.

i always use vermiculite for seed covering and all cuttings. Found it great for rearing cactus seeds and its so cheap to buy. All my plant come into contact with vermiculite at some stage in mygreenhouse and in my propagator indoors..

I'm pleased vermiculite works well for so many.
Thanks for all your comments.

That's great., Homebird! :-)) That works very well for me!