Hi David Really enjoyed the video interesting about the Peat Free soil we have been useing it a few years now ( in Germany) with very good results beautiful plants , love watching your videos take care
Thanks David for doing this. Given that peat is completely unsustainable as a product, we shouldn't be using it even if we can get it. I completely understand that in growing media it's been extremely useful, but that's not the best reason to strip the world of peat.
I'm really looking forward to hearing the results of this trial. I started using peat free about 5 years ago, as I wanted time to get used to it before I had no other options! The Sylvagrow is definitely the best one I've tried so far, and last year, it was the only compost I used. (For Pelargoniums, I used 3 parts Sylvagrow to one part sand and they seemed to do well although I had to adjust watering and feeding quite a bit compared to the old peat-based composts. But I didn't test alongside any others, so I'd love to see how your Sylvagrow plants compare to the others.)
Most of the organic potting mixes I use contain some sphagnum peat moss but also contain broken down forest products from the paper and wood products industries. I’ve heard for years that the peat bogs in Canada (where most of the peat comes from in the USA) are being depleted. Supposedly in New Zealand the pear bogs are being managed conservatively but the sphagnum is more costly. I don’t imagine there is enough to sustain the bogs and the potting mix industry. Curious to see how your experiment goes. Thanks for the information on the different soil type needs of zonal, scented, unique and regal pelargoniums. Your plants are looking fantastic! So nicely filled out and shaped!
It’s not something that I have used but I would have thought so in the early stages of development. I think this would probably have a lot of nitrogen within it so it may cause leaf bloating if used continuously.
Vermiculite tends to hold water to a certain degree whereas perlite lets water pass over it more hence it provides slightly better drainage which is what pelargoniums prefer.
Very useful video. All the best with the trial. 👍
Hi David Really enjoyed the video interesting about the Peat Free soil we have been useing it a few years now ( in Germany) with very good results beautiful plants , love watching your videos take care
Very informative, thank you
Thanks David for doing this. Given that peat is completely unsustainable as a product, we shouldn't be using it even if we can get it. I completely understand that in growing media it's been extremely useful, but that's not the best reason to strip the world of peat.
I'm really looking forward to hearing the results of this trial. I started using peat free about 5 years ago, as I wanted time to get used to it before I had no other options! The Sylvagrow is definitely the best one I've tried so far, and last year, it was the only compost I used. (For Pelargoniums, I used 3 parts Sylvagrow to one part sand and they seemed to do well although I had to adjust watering and feeding quite a bit compared to the old peat-based composts. But I didn't test alongside any others, so I'd love to see how your Sylvagrow plants compare to the others.)
Yes from what others have said Pippa they do seem to dry out a bit quicker. D
Most of the organic potting mixes I use contain some sphagnum peat moss but also contain broken down forest products from the paper and wood products industries. I’ve heard for years that the peat bogs in Canada (where most of the peat comes from in the USA) are being depleted. Supposedly in New Zealand the pear bogs are being managed conservatively but the sphagnum is more costly. I don’t imagine there is enough to sustain the bogs and the potting mix industry. Curious to see how your experiment goes. Thanks for the information on the different soil type needs of zonal, scented, unique and regal pelargoniums. Your plants are looking fantastic! So nicely filled out and shaped!
Thanks Jane
Is vermicompost beneficial for palergoniums?
It’s not something that I have used but I would have thought so in the early stages of development. I think this would probably have a lot of nitrogen within it so it may cause leaf bloating if used continuously.
Is there an advantage in using perlite instead of vermiculite?
Vermiculite tends to hold water to a certain degree whereas perlite lets water pass over it more hence it provides slightly better drainage which is what pelargoniums prefer.
Many thanks for your reply. I shall purchase perlite from my local garden centre tomorrow. I like to know l'm starting my new hobby correctly.