Aloe polyphylla germination

[el48tel]

Daughter swears by pure vermiculite for seed germination. I have tried a comparison. It's slower but seems to work. Supresses moss etc

[MatDz]

Daughter swears by pure vermiculite for seed germination. I have tried a comparison. It's slower but seems to work. Supresses moss etc

Wouldn't fine moler clay, the "car absorbent" one, be similar to vermiculite but less messy? It holds a low of water as well, but doesn't break down or crush as easily.

[el48tel]

Daughter swears by pure vermiculite for seed germination. I have tried a comparison. It's slower but seems to work. Supresses moss etc

Wouldn't fine moler clay, the "car absorbent" one, be similar to vermiculite but less messy? It holds a low of water as well, but doesn't break down or crush as easily.

Mat
She's a trained horticulturalist. I respect her training and skills. I know she has tried other media. That's the one which she finds works for her.

[MatDz]

Daughter swears by pure vermiculite for seed germination. I have tried a comparison. It's slower but seems to work. Supresses moss etc

Wouldn't fine moler clay, the "car absorbent" one, be similar to vermiculite but less messy? It holds a low of water as well, but doesn't break down or crush as easily.

Mat
She's a trained horticulturalist. I respect her training and skills. I know she has tried other media. That's the one which she finds works for her.

I by no means question anyone's knowledge or skills, just a "car spillage absorbent" isn't the first thing one thinks about when sowing seeds and it works really well and has very similar properties to vermiculite. Nothing more than that, really.

[el48tel]

Wouldn't fine moler clay, the "car absorbent" one, be similar to vermiculite but less messy? It holds a low of water as well, but doesn't break down or crush as easily.

Mat
She's a trained horticulturalist. I respect her training and skills. I know she has tried other media. That's the one which she finds works for her.

I by no means question anyone's knowledge or skills, just a "car spillage absorbent" isn't the first thing one thinks about when sowing seeds and it works really well and has very similar properties to vermiculite. Nothing more than that, really.

I know that she has tried it ..... and dismissed it .... that is sufficient for me ..... if it works for you then I respect that.
Similarly, I disliked the concept of using the materials because they are a high cost, high technology solution to a low technology problem, but because I had had difficulty striking a root (9 months and no roots) on a Stapeliad, I was prepared to try her suggestion of perlite JI#2 mix. The cutting rooted in days. I am trying it with cactus offsets which I would normally root in sieved grit JI#2. I am open to suggestion of alternatives. I listen to the voices of experience, however, the cat litter car oil chemical spillage kit solution does not enamour me. There are cheap versions out there which are not the real deal. One "enthusiast grower" sold me a plant potted in so called fired clay of the variety about which you enthuse. My experience with disposal of said compost later was not pleasant. It had turned to brown slime. (S)he had bought a material which was obviously not as specified.

[HaoBao]

Is pure vermiculite or perlite/JI mix better?

[el48tel]

Is pure vermiculite or perlite/JI mix better?

Good question! "Better" is a value loaded word.
She uses 100% vermiculite.
I have tried sowing on top of 1cm deep layer on top of usual compost mix since I had seen that method suggested by other growers.
For offsets, I was recommended 50 50 perlite JI#2

[Herts Mike]

I use JI and vermiculite 50/50 for seed sowing. Very happy with it but would still germinate polyphylla in plain water.

[HaoBao]

Had a look for vermiculite and it said some might contain asbestos. Anyone know anything about that?

[edds]

It used to be used as insulation in properties and this was sometimes contaminated or mixed with asbestos.

Stuff bought now will not contain it.