Vermiculite ?

[JMCKG]

Looking for others experiences of using Vermiculite. This will be my second year on the allotment and have not used this before in planting seeds etc. Is it worthwhile and as good as suppliers suggest ?

[JMCKG]

Had a look on eBay and does not seem to expensive £21.95 for 100L of fine grain delivery included. Which begs a second question, fine, medium or large ?

[veggiechicken]

Here's a thread that may help!
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ion_77264.html

[Kristen]

Most vegetable seed varieties will germinate easily, so not sure you need to pamper them with a drizzling of Vermiculite over the seeds etc ...

I use Vermiculite on ornamental seeds, particularly very fine ones or seeds that take forever to germinate (Vermiculite reduced the chance of green muck growing on the surface during that extended time)

A decent potting compost should be fine for starting off vegetable seeds; cover them with a drizzling of Vermiculite if you like, but sifting some compost over them will probably be just fine.

[Spunky]

What are you planning on using it for?

[Bigmallly]

Vermiculite is used for its water retentive properties whilst Perlite tends to be used more to aid drainage, get the right one for the right job.

[JMCKG]

What are you planning on using it for?

Just for seedlings. Looks like not worth the bother.

[Bigmallly]

I prefer to put some in my seed compost to absorb any excess water.

[WendyC]

I use it for seed sowing. 100l will last you years and years. I think the bags I buy from the garden centre are probably 10l and that lasts me several years.

[JMCKG]

I use it for seed sowing. 100l will last you years and years. I think the bags I buy from the garden centre are probably 10l and that lasts me several years.

Thanks for that. Looks like small bag from Wilko will do.

[dandalady]

i always use it for germinating. last year I didnt and still got good germination so cant say it made much difference really.

[Alison]

I used it one year for germinating seeds and found it a right phaff to get watering right and therefore list loads of seedlings. Gad a huge bag of it in the shed for years until I gave it away as never felt the urge to use it again. Other people however get on with it very well.

[Bigmallly]

That's a shame Alison, I find it useful mixed into the compost when potting on...................I suppose if you don't pot on then it's a pointless post.

[Alison]

That's a shame Alison, I find it useful mixed into the compost when potting on...................I suppose if you don't pot on then it's a pointless post.

I may have mixed in too much but never thought about the pricking out issue. I think the fact that we have so many successful ways of doing things shows how our seeds really do want to grow

[Guest]

It depends how you want to use it. I tend to mix it into mpc for containers and seedlings. I also use it for top dressing house plants as I dislike looking at bare soil indoors and for some reason (which has only just dawned on me) it seems to help deter soil midges.

Will have to top dress my overwintering pots today now