Perlite Plug source

[Susan Band]

I was wondering if anyone know of a source of perlite plugs as I was wanting to try them. I have found this company that makes them but not a supplier. http://www.perlite.it/en/young_plants_products_xcel_plug.asp

Susan

[Maggi Young]

In my ignorance, Susan, I didn't even know such things exist.  Never heard of them. 

[Darren]

Really big ones, if carved, could make useful tufa substitutes!

[Susan Band]

I thought they looked good for pricking out seedlings to be used for crevice gardens. I suppose I could fill my own plugs with perlite but they would fall apart when removing them for selling
Susan

[Uli Lessnow]

Susan, in Germany you can buy it in nearly every building supplies store.
100 liter ( 15 kg ) for 18 €. Since many years we use it as a an add-on to
our compost mix. I also use Bentonit, Vermiculit and pumice.
I hope you will find a supplier soon.
Uli

[Susan Band]

Hi Uli,
The loose perlite is not a problem it is trying to find  plugs which do not fall apart when removing from the plug holders. Have you ever seen these, I think they are used for hydroponic vegetable growing also probably orchids.
Susan

[Lvandelft]

Susan, I'm afraid this is not really much more help, but in this link you can read more about the Xcell plugs.
They seem to sell them intrays and even loose in France, Denmark etc. but not in GB.
Asking for information etc. might be of help, you never know
http://www.quickplug.eu/home.htm

[Susan Band]

Thanks Luit,

I had a look on this website but there is more info about suppliers in their Dutch website than their english language pages so will follow some of the links.
Susan

[brianw]

I would have thought you could create these with loose Perlite and dilute PVA glue. Time for some playing maybe. A couple of granules of slow release might help too. Or how about gelatine or agar. Too high in nitrogen?
Any other ideas?

I noticed the other day that the specifications of particle size on the Sinclair website is much more detailed than on the product sack, which seems more optimistic as regards "coarseness".

[Susan Band]

Thanks Brian for the ideas.

I think if I want to use them I will have to make my own.
I just fancied trying some of the alpines that don't like peat based composts and I thought it would be better for people making crevice /sand gardens rather than disturbing the roots by washing. I grow some seedlings in perlite but I feel homemade plugs would disintigrate when removing from the holders. I might try your glueing method. Plenty of time this winter to try them out.

Susan

[lily-anne]

Thanks Brian for the ideas.

I think if I want to use them I will have to make my own.
I just fancied trying some of the alpines that don't like peat based composts and I thought it would be better for people making crevice /sand gardens rather than disturbing the roots by washing. I grow some seedlings in perlite but I feel homemade plugs would disintigrate when removing from the holders. I might try your glueing method. Plenty of time this winter to try them out.

Susan

Hello Susan,

I hope you manage to make perlite plugs- please keep us informed
Greetings
Lily- Anne