Which compost for seedlings?

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by Spacemunkey, Mar 14, 2017.

  1. Spacemunkey

    Spacemunkey Gardener

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    Good morning everybody, my tomato seedlings need re-potting into larger individual pots and I don't know which type of compost to buy, there are so many. Any advice would be most welcome :ThankYou:
     
    Spacemunkey, Mar 14, 2017
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  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I go for John Innes No 1
     
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    • sandymac

      sandymac Super Gardener

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      Any good quality compost that is not over fertilized, I use either Cana terra professional or Levington's professional M2. both are good quality. Stay away from cheap grow bags from supermarkets they are more trouble than they are worth.
      Regards Alex
       
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      • Spacemunkey

        Spacemunkey Gardener

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        Thanks Alex I'll have a look in my local garden centre for those brands
         
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      • sandymac

        sandymac Super Gardener

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        Hi Spacemunkey You will find Levingtons at the garden centre but you will have to go to an hydraponics shop for the Canna
         
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        • Linz

          Linz Total Gardener

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          Just opened a bag of gro-sure seed and cutting compost, am not rating it too highly lots of lumps and twigs! Going to try Levingtons for the next bag. Other half uses canna but I don't like the look on it.
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            I tend to use any multipurpose with added JI, you can buy it ready mixed or mix it yourself.
            I'm not that particular when it comes to potting on things like toms, they will grow in most types of compost that is sold out there, it's the feeding that you supply after a few weeks that counts for more, IMO.
             
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            • Anthony Rogers

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              I agree with Pete, all compost is is a medium for anchorage for the roots. It's the feeding and watering that is the main priority. Think about it
              , you can even grow them in water, but then you have to provide the means of support.
               
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              • longk

                longk Total Gardener

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                As my greenhouse space is limited seedlings are having to share pots when potted on so I'm using coco fibre, vermiculite and Jacks Magic mpc in equal parts. Results are good and it is easy to separate the seedlings when the tender perennials go outdoors making space for the seedlings to have their own pots.
                 
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                • shiney

                  shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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                  I use bog standard multi-purpose compost. I buy Wickes own brand and it's suitable for sowing seeds, seedlings and potting on.

                  As pete and Anthony have said, it's how you feed and water them that's important. This year's Wickes seems to be a good texture (there was a problem with it the other year because of them trying to be too environmentally friendly and mixing too many other rubbishy things in it).

                  Also, as sandymac says, cheap grobags are not really worth it. The quality is usually not too good and the quantity of soil is low for the price you pay. They also don't have the necessary depth.

                  It's cheaper, and better, to use a 70 litre bag of compost, cut it in half, stand each half up, make a few drainage holes in the bottom and you have the equivalent of a big pot. :dbgrtmb:
                   
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                • sandymac

                  sandymac Super Gardener

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                  Supermarket tomatoes are grown in water and we all know how nice they taste.
                  I can just imagine what is added by growing in council waste, remember B&Q,s cheap compost that wiped everyone's plants out a couple of seasons ago.
                   
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                • HarryS

                  HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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                  I use Gro-Sure seed compost for the last 4 years . I have always found it very good for my seedlings :blue thumb:
                   
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                • roders

                  roders Total Gardener

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