Seedling composts

I have used these and like both. This year I'm sticking with Verve as I was very happy with the results last year.

 

I like them but still add perlte and sharp sand

 

What's the difference between perlite and vermiculite? I always wonder when I can use them and what they do?

 

@Fern4
I have listed both what they do or dont do , personally I use perlite to keep the compost light and airy plus it lets the light though with seeds that need light to germinate.
With Vermiculite I find it hold more water and feed when watering so I very rarely use for seedlings , but on later transplanting I use then.


Perlite

Perlite's many uses and beneficial properties include:
¤ Inorganic, inert and sterile.
¤ No known toxicity or fire hazard.
¤ Prevents compaction - improves aeration and drainage.
¤ Does not decompose - lasts for years.
¤ Stimulates root initiation and vigorous growth.
¤ Insulates and minimises temperature fluctuations.
¤ Almost neutral pH.
¤ Holds moisture but does not become soggy.
¤ Free from disease, weeds and insects.


Vermiculite
Vermiculite's many uses and beneficial properties include:
¤ Inorganic, and sterile.
¤ No known toxicity or fire hazard.
¤ High water holding capacity.
¤ Non-abrasive and non-irritant.
¤ Absorbs excess nutrients.
¤ Facilitates re-wetting.
¤ Low alkalinity.
¤ High cation-exchange capacity.
¤ Does not deteriorate in storage (if kept dry).
¤ Free from disease, weeds and insects.
¤ Good air holding capacity.
¤ Insulates and minimizes soil temperature fluctuations.

 

Thanks @Spruce ....very informative. I think I'll try some this year. Adding air to the compost and extra drainage has got to be a bonus.

 

I forgot to mention that I also add those to my various seed compost mixes, depending what seeds I'm sowing, but more so if potting up cuttings.

And one more thing, I don't buy bags of seed compost from outdoor piles ar garden centres that have had water (and goodness knows what else) seeping into the bags, I may be unecessarily concerned, but such stuff always seem to have a higher incidence of mould growth and damping off.

 

Fern , I buy my perlite and vermiculite at Wilkos , its about the cheapest place for a small 10 litre bag . I use perlite mixed with seed compost just for the "trickier " seeds . I also mix it in with my hanging baskets to keep them a little airier . I don't use it in my other containers.

 

IMHO you can over think this growing business.
It really is not rocket science,sometimes you can kill plants with kindness.
I use multipurpose compost for seed sewing and pricking out.
Temperature,moisture and light are the most important things.

 

Thanks Harry. I'll get it from Wilkos then. I would only need a small amount so 10L would do me I reckon.

 

Quite right Roders but "Temperature,moisture and light" could easily be another thread on each .

Spruce

 

Thank you everyone, lots of compost for thought!

I'm thinking I should go with Spruce's recipe...

• John inns no 1 50%
• perlite 20%
• 20 % multi purpose
• 10 % sharp sand

... but perhaps switch the John inns for Verve seed compost?

I have to admit, I do think I am overwatering. Particularly with the last batch with the capillary matting - I think that just kept everything too wet when I expected it to only draw up water when needed.

Right, I am prepared! :D

 

if you changed the ingredients it would make a nice cake as well

 

Not coming round yours for tea

 

I've tried a new seed compost this year and I have to report some very disappointing results.

For several years now, I've use Moorland Gold seed compost from the Organic Gardening Catalogue and have always had good results. It does tend to contain a small amount of grass seed, but that's easily got rid of.

As you can see, OG Catalogue stuff isn't cheap, but all purchases go towards funding the Garden Organic charity (otherwise known as the Henry Doubleday Research Association), which does a lot of good work in promoting sustainable gardening.

Anyway, this year I thought I'd try their Carbon Gold Grochar seed compost instead. Again, not cheap, but at least I'm doing my bit for the planet and all that.

So far I've sown tomatoes, peppers, celeriac, rudbeckias, sweet corn, courgettes and squash using this compost and while initial germination was good in all cases, subsequent growth and development was very poor, to the point of being non existent. The seedlings all have a pale, stunted appearance and in some cases show scorching of the leaves. To illustrate the problem, here are some photos of the affected plants.

Celeriac seedlings, sown 8th March and still poorly developed a full two months later.



Rudbeckias, sown on the same date.



Tomato seedlings, sown 1st March. While seedlings which were potted on after a couple of weeks into different compost have romped away and now have flower buds forming, these remaining seedlings have simply ceased all growth.



Sweet corn, sown 25th April, showing an example of the leaf scorching, which has affected the whole tray (18 plants).



Squash seedling. This photo gives a fair indication of the pale, yellowed appearance, which has become even more pronounced in the past three days since this photo was taken.



The OG catalogue website has a 'contact us' section, so I've e-mailed them, detailing my concerns regarding the quality of this compost. They claim that: 'We aim to respond to all Emails within one working day'. Three days after submitting my complaint, I have so far had no reply.

Has anyone else come across this problem?

Very disappointing.

 

Oh dear, that doesn't sound good :( It must be a common problem, so probably the compost - unless they've all been too cold?

My only seedlings to have gone like that are opium poppies in compost. I think it's too wet for them.