Speculation over the imminent sale of troubled Solus Garden & Leisure gathered momentum this week. But by the end of play on Friday there still hadn't been an official announcement on whether or not a deal had been done. 

And as the rumours continued throughout the garden industry, Scotts Miracle-Gro, who pulled out of a deal to buy Solus back in April, said they would make a statement on their current position next week, probably on Tuesday.

The administrators acting on behalf of Solus, meanwhile, were sticking to the official line that they were making progress and were hopeful of completing a sale.

It was in February when Solus first released a statement confirming they were in talks with Scotts, "working on a plan that would bring the two businesses together in the UK."

But then on April 2 Scotts announced they were no longer in negotiations to join forces with Solus with managing director Martin Breddy stating: "Our distribution agreement with Solus has expired."

Just over a month later, on May 15, the shock news that Solus had gone into administration was revealed.

Rumours that Scotts were still interested in buying Solus were rife during SOLEX at the NEC this week, and fueled by the appearance of the company's UK marketing director Paula Parker at the outdoor leisure show.

GTN Xtra has learned that the administrators are contacting garden centres asking them to pay outstanding accounts by the end of next week.