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Vermiculite or Perlite

Lulu The LurcherLulu The Lurcher Posts: 258
in Talkback

Which is the best one to get for sowing seeds? Mostly perennials for over wintering and various cuttings including Honeysuckle,Fuchsia and geraniums 

Posts

  • RainbowfishRainbowfish Posts: 276

    Perlite is easier to carry home from the garden centre :P

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053
    Vermiculite is just as light!
    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384

    I use both.  Perlite is good mixed in to provide a very light and free-draining growing medium, good for striking cuttings.  Fine grade vermiculite is great for lightly sprinking over surface-sown seeds to help stop them drying out but still lets light get to those types which need it.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • Zoomer44Zoomer44 Posts: 3,267

    I use both but only use perlite if the plant is going to spend it's life in a pot and mix it in with the compost when potting up so would not mix it with a sowing  medium. . 

    Vermiculite when sprinkled on the surface, absorbs moisture it looks darker when damp and prevents excessive water from damaging the stems of new  seedlings. After seeds have germinated you only need to sprinkle it around the stems of seedlings when potting up.

    Happy sowing image

  • Snow MaidenSnow Maiden Posts: 862

    Thanks for the info, I've often wondered if I've used them both correctly as I never really understood their differences.

  • Lulu The LurcherLulu The Lurcher Posts: 258

    Thanks!! image

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    pansyface wrote (see)

    A ton of feathers weighs the same as a ton of lead.image

    A ton of perlite would keep you going for a day or two.image

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

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