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Trying to work out which is best sand for cuttings...?

Last post 05-11-2009 3:07 PM by Gro-way. 4 replies.

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  • 02/11/2009 11:13 PM
    • Gro-way
    • 12 Apr 2009
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     I have read that the best pure sand is collected from builders yard as a local sand ,not bagged. Often buiders sand which is bagged is to large a partical size apparently. Can any one tell me more?

    Seperate question-

    Also I have posted about problems with coolglass sticking to polycarbonate. I have had replies but we are struggling for solutions. You can spray on polycarbonate according to Bayer coolglass makers? The forum thread is in tools and equiptment forum, so please if u have time have a quick look if u can- much appreciated!  Thanks again.

  • 03/11/2009 08:16 AM
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    Coarse grit is the best sand for cuttings mix, as it is well, coarse and lets air into the mix.  Builders sand is too fine (yellow brickies sand) or has an unsuitable rainge orf particle sizes (sharp sand).  Silver sand is way too fine.  However, sand/grit is heavy stuff and compresses the mix so I prefer perlite at, say, 50:50 with multipurpose potting medium or pure coir.

    Good luck with the coolglass, but I think it is a lost cause - I look forward to being proved wrong!  In future use shade netting on plastic structures to be on the safe side.

    Boggy

    Beware the bat-eared bogweevil
  • 03/11/2009 11:27 AM
    • Gro-way
    • 12 Apr 2009
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     Can I ask which is best as I read green netting removes useful light spectrums compared to say a different colour.

    I am doing alpines-the books say the correct type for quick rooting plants is sand,also that sharp sand is the way to go(it defines sharp as may be a better mix than bagged stuff I think?)-

    So I think you are very much agreeing with this. Is course grit sand basically a very gritty sand which lets in air. The different books mention that a compact mixture kept moist is ideal. Probably assimulating mountain conditions for quick rooting in the alpine mountains. So is course grit sand the way to go. Is it sold in bags as coarse sand or horticultural sand which is the same thing. I notice B&Q does not do the horticultural sand and tends to just do the unwanted sharp,builders and silver. Are the builders yard the way to go as they ordered horticultural grit for me planting alpines in a few months back. They may do horticultural sand too should I ask for this?. Can I get something called grit sand as you say or  is coarse sand the thing to ask for in fact?

    I have never used sand to root things before as you can tell- ho ho!

  • 03/11/2009 12:27 PM
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    Can I ask which is best as I read green netting removes useful light spectrums compared to say a different colour.

    The light goes through the holes of shade netting and is therefore not altered.  The bits of the netting that are not holes block the light and cause shade.

    I am doing alpines-the books say the correct type for quick rooting plants is sand,also that sharp sand is the way to go(it defines sharp as may be a better mix than bagged stuff I think?)

    Sharp sand covers a wide range of materials and I cannot rule out some people having success with sharp sands other than coarse grit.

    So I think you are very much agreeing with this.

     Possibly!

    Is course grit sand basically a very gritty sand which lets in air.

    Yes.

    The different books mention that a compact mixture kept moist is ideal.

     Compact mixtures might lack air so should be used with caution.

    Probably assimulating mountain conditions for quick rooting in the alpine mountains.

     Wild plants tend to propagate themselves by seed as they have no mechanism to take cuttings of themselves.

    So is course grit sand the way to go.

     I would try that first.

    Is it sold in bags as coarse sand or horticultural sand which is the same thing.

     It is usually offered as coarse grit, but a coarse horticultural sand might do.

    I notice B&Q does not do the horticultural sand and tends to just do the unwanted sharp,builders and silver.

     Good garden centres will offer the right stuff - if they don't take your custom elsewhere.

    Are the builders yard the way to go as they ordered horticultural grit for me planting alpines in a few months back.

    Horticultural grit should be fine.

    They may do horticultural sand too should I ask for this?.

    I would try grit in the first instance.

    Can I get something called grit sand as you say or  is coarse sand the thing to ask for in fact?

     Grit/sand means grit or sand.  Grit or coarse sand are likely to be effective.

     

    Beware the bat-eared bogweevil
  • 05/11/2009 03:07 PM
    • Gro-way
    • 12 Apr 2009
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    Thanks I will giv eit some thought!