Medium for successfully growing cuttings

Biglad

Hi all,

The more I try and research, the more confused I get! I'm wanting to take cuttings from a variety of perennials in my sister's garden - polygala myrtifolia, heuchera 'cherry cola' (I think), etc. There seems to be a multitude of potting mixes. Any recommendations on one that would give my cuttings the best chance? Also, is adding perlite a must? Or is there something else that you would use?

fidgetbones

I mix multipurpose compost with 50% fine grit or vermiculite or perlite, depending on what I've got. You need a free draining open structure so the cutting doesn't rot before it roots. MPC on its own tends to be a bit soggy.

Dovefromabove

I use whatever MPC I have with added horticultural grit ... about 60:40 ish. 

I got 100% strike rate with erysimum heeled cuttings last time of trying. 

Fairygirl

Heucheras will grow in virtually anything 
Otherwise - as the others have said - a gritty mix, and put the cuttings round the edges of the pots as well to aid drainage, especially if it's very wet where you are, and the plants you're growing don't like being overly wet. 

Biglad

Thanks @fidgetbones and @Dovefromabove. I've ordered some grit to go with the MPC I already have. Fingers crossed!

BobTheGardener

I generally use 50/50 perlite/MPC as I found a place online selling huge 100l bags for about £20 delivered, which is about the same cost as 20kg of grit, but goes a lot further.  Having said that I also have grit and vermiculite but cuttings tend to get the perlite mix.

Loxley

I think perlite's best, then vermiculite, then grit. Grit doesn't actually open the compost that much unless you use well over 50% grit, whereas the first two are very porous and aid oxygenation and drainage.

Astraeus

BobTheGardener said:

I generally use 50/50 perlite/MPC as I found a place online selling huge 100l bags for about £20 delivered, which is about the same cost as 20kg of grit, but goes a lot further.  Having said that I also have grit and vermiculite but cuttings tend to get the perlite mix.

I saw a few eBay shops selling 100L for £20 and was very tempted but it is a 1-8mm mix. I assume the larger diameter is no good for a potting mix in scenarios such as this. Is the PlantIt perlite any good? A bag of that can be had for £25.

BobTheGardener

Astraeus said:

BobTheGardener said:

I generally use 50/50 perlite/MPC as I found a place online selling huge 100l bags for about £20 delivered, which is about the same cost as 20kg of grit, but goes a lot further.  Having said that I also have grit and vermiculite but cuttings tend to get the perlite mix.

I saw a few eBay shops selling 100L for £20 and was very tempted but it is a 1-8mm mix. I assume the larger diameter is no good for a potting mix in scenarios such as this. Is the PlantIt perlite any good? A bag of that can be had for £25.

My bag contained a range of grain sizes but it can easily be sieved if needed, although simply crushing a handful before adding it does an excellent job in reducing particle size.  8mm isn't too large anyway, in my opinion.

SydRoy

Biglad said:

Thanks @fidgetbones and @Dovefromabove. I've ordered some grit to go with the MPC I already have. Fingers crossed!

I've used budgie grit from Wilkos more than once..dirt cheap, literally, and mixes well with coarse sand, used mpc, vermiculite and perlite.