AusBonsai

Has anyone used vermiculite for layering? How did it go? I'm hoping to get away from using sphagnum moss if I can.

Gavin

Why not Sphag?
I use only Spag when layering using the Wrapped Plastic method, and a mix on Propagating mix and Spag if doing so with a pot wrapped around the tree

Ken

Apparently, sphagnum bogs take thousands of years to form, and are being depleted rapidly. I'll give the vermiculite a go, along with some sphagnum on the same tree, and test it out.

Gavin

You'll find the vermiculite terribly light weight. It may have a tendency to drop off when you get to the potting stage. I'm just guessing. I have only used it for seed propagation.

I have used vermiculite to layer with, but i mixed it with some diatomite to go with it, the layer took well, only trouble with vermiculite is that it stays pretty wet taking some time to dry out enough, not so much a prob with the layering expect if it rots the bark where you want new roots, the big problem is when you remove the layer and go to plant it in a pot to get it strong the vermiculite will stay in amongst the roots and could cause root rot issues and loss of the layer.

Jamie

If you are just wanting to save the planet, try CocoPeat. It works as well as Spag, but dont water the Layer to much as it does stay pretty wet when used 100%. On the same token, don't allow it to dry out totally either. Also, if using Coco, try and keep some of the more fibrous stuff within the brick for your layering uses.