Vermiculite in seed trays?

**LostthePlot** · 26-02-2007, 03:36 PM

I mix vermiculite with my compost, it seems to make it nicer to work with somehow, but I dont bother with the vermiculte 'lid'.

**Gryfon** · 26-02-2007, 04:02 PM

Thanks

Seeing as I can't do much at the moment I'm trying to think ahead!

**Nicos** · 26-02-2007, 04:20 PM

We started doing this last year as we'd had problems with mould in the propergators. Worked a treat.
Just chucked the old soil into the compost.

**Two_Sheds** · 26-02-2007, 05:26 PM

I try not to spend any money if I can help it, so no vermiculite. To stop mould, I put a layer of dry compost on top of the damp. To water I do it from the bottom so the top stays dry

**Protea** · 26-02-2007, 05:52 PM

I use vermiculite on nearly all my sowings, the only ones i don't are larger seeds like peas and beans that are a good 1cm below the compost. For smaller seeds i sow onto the compost surface, press to make sure they are in contact and then sprinkle about 0.5cm vermiculite on top. I get excellent germination usually and the compost doesn't dry out so quickly.

I don't bother mixing it in with the compost, but i add gritty sand instead. i rarely use propriatary 'seed' compost, i just use regular multi-purpose or potting compost, so the sand improves the drainage.

**srodders** · 26-02-2007, 06:21 PM

I tried the vermiculite 'lid' on a few sowings and concluded that it made no difference at all, so now don't bother. I do mix it in with the compost though, and for those seeds who require covering just use compost (JI seed)

**HappyMouffe** · 26-02-2007, 06:53 PM

I've taken to using vermiculite on top of small seeds and it seems to work very well - the seeds seem to have less trouble pushing through.

**rustylady** · 26-02-2007, 07:00 PM

I think if you are careful not to compact the surface of the compost (by watering from above etc) you should have no problems with seedlings breaking through. I have tried using vermiculite, (and still sometimes mix with compost for fuchsia cuttings) but generally speaking I manage with just multipurpose or seed compost.

**deb of the wych** · 26-02-2007, 08:29 PM

I use it on top and then just then just dampen it with one of those misters for house plants.
deb

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Vermiculite in seed trays?

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