Vermiculite

[Nicky]

Some seeds say you have to start them off in a heated greenhouse. With the smaller seeds would you use Vermiculite on top of the compost. If so how would I know which ones to use it with?

[Digger-07]

I use vermiculite with all seeds that are described as "shallow" or "cover with a little compost". That means just about anything you don't need to push below the surface.

[Alice]

I always use vermiculite when sowing seeds. I mix it with the compost. I find when it comes to potting on the seedlings come out of the compost much more easily, so less risk of damage to the roots. Also for covering over seed - usually compost has clumpy (lumpy) bits in it. If these heavy bits land on top of seeds it is hard for them to germinate to the surface. Vermiculite is very light and seedlings can come up through it easily. It is also easier to keep the surface damp.
I do find it quite expensive so if anybody knows who has the best price do let us know.

[pigletwillie]

I have never bought vermiculite in my life and just cover my seeds with some compost that is sieved over the top, thus removing the lumps that Alice so rightly points out can be a nuisance.

It works for me so I dont complicate things further.

[Morty_007]

I do find it quite expensive so if anybody knows who has the best price do let us know.

Wilkinsons had bags for £1 last year. I think this was a standard price not a sale price at the end of the season. Good size bag too.

[nick the grief]

The main benefit from Vermiculite is that it creates a sort of micro climate aroud the seed helping germination also it lets some light through as well (needed for some seed).

I do the same as piglet and I always save the coarse stuff that I riddle out & use it in the bottom of pots when I pot up as a lot of it is bits of bark or solid lumps of peat & will help with the drainage.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Oh just said - "oh yes! it was two bags for the price of one!" honestly! what is he like? DDL
PS for those of you who dont know he is a store manager at Wilkinsons!

[Morty_007]

Oh just said - "oh yes! it was two bags for the price of one!" honestly! what is he like? DDL
PS for those of you who dont know he is a store manager at Wilkinsons!

LMAO, problem solved then?

[dexterdoglancashire]

OH has now got strict instructions to tell me what gardening stuff he has on sale on a regular basis! DDL

[Mrs Dobby]

Cool! Then you can tell all us grapes, and we'll all rush off n buy it, and your OH will get a promotion for using targeted free advertising!

[valmarg]

Vermiculite

I use a lot of vermiculite, with surface sown seeds such as busy lizzie, lobelia, petunia, etc. A light sprinkling over the seeds helps germination.

Where seeds need to be lightly covered with compost, then I sieve the compost I sow them in, lightly compress, and sieve a light film over the sown seeds.

I also use it a lot with cuttings. A 50/50 mix of vermiculite and multipurpose compost gives a light open mix. I find rooting fuchsias, surfinia petunias, verbena, million bells petunias, bacopa and other container plants very easy with this mix.

For rooting dahlia and begonia cuttings, I get most success with an even greater vermiculite ratio, ie roughly 75/25.

I think it is wonderful stuff.

valmarg

[lyndap]

I started using vermiculite 2years ago and wouldn't be without it now.I to buy mine from Wilkinsons.They have been the cheapest by far the last 2years.