"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 17/04/2015 07:40, Jeff Layman wrote:
On 16/04/15 16:30, Lintama wrote:
Saw a video on Youtube for striking semi-ripe and softwood cuttings in
coarse sand. I would have thought that there wouldn't be any nutrients
in sand. I have always used multi-purpose compost with some success.
Does anybody recommend using coarse sand and if so, can I use the kind
that builders use?

Many thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Builder's sand is not recommended as it is usually not washed and could
be dredged from the sea, so containing some salt.

Other way round I think. Builders (aka "soft") sand is normally dug out of the ground

The sand gardeners make use of is that known as "sharp sand".

B&Q call it "soil improver"! Judging by the bits of crushed shell, that is the one that
has been dredged from the sea.

It is
somewhat coarser than builder's sand. As to the medium in which to
strike cuttings, you'll probably find each gardener has his/her own
ideas. The only plants I would try to root in pure sand would be cacti
and other succulents.

B&Q can call it what they like, but there are precise definitions of 'sharp'
and 'soft' sand. Sharp sand is usually found in river systems where the
time for abrading the edges of the sand/grit particles is limited. 'Soft'
sand is usually found in marine environments with prolonged exposure
to the rounding of the grains - any sandy beach will illustrate this.
The best 'sharp' sand that I ever found was from a gravel pit in
Walton-on-Thames. They would crush the river gravel to make a
'sharp' sand that was like a myriad of tiny razor blades.

Phil