Another daft question?

My seed compost had plant food in it, but I don't think the compost [general purpose] for potting on has. Should I start feeding the little plants right away? :rolleyes:

 

Usually the seed compost has no food in it and the poting on has. I must admit I tend to add some slow release fertiliser pellets to my potting compost as I use it. If you are going to feed with a lquid feed or a direct fertiliser I suggest that you wait a week or so before doing it, just to give the newly potted seedlings time to settle in and start growing.

 

Recently read a book on propagation in which the author said he started to feed his potted on seedlings when the leaves from adjacent pots met. Makes sense.

 

It's usually the other way round as seed compost doesn't need feed as seedlings will normally be potted on fairly quickly and not be in the compost long enough for the slow release fertilser to help. Feed as soon as they become established, particularly bedding plants as they will need to put on a lot of growth in the short time to planting out.

 

I tend to find plants need more feeding in these modern multipupose composts than they used to a few years ago.
The actual real price of compost seems cheaper than it was say 10yrs ago, but since they've taken a lot of the peat out of it, (and god knows what it is these days), it DEFINITELY seems to need more feeding.

 

As you know good compost is vital. Two or so years ago my plants were poor slow growing after germination usually with heat and light they are off and running. I put that down to the compost so now I am more careful and use only good quality. If after potting on a plant seems slow I try a feed and if there is improvement I tend to feed everything in sight. I favour slow release fertiliser in the compost but if I'm not sure I liquid feed. I agree with pete compost seems to be poorer these days.

 

Thanks for that hans/pete,I just thought it was my imagination, but my J.I.no.2 is drying out so quickly I have a job keeping up with it!

Suppose it is the peat substitute then?

Anybody add anything to their purchased bags of compost to help with the moisture problem, or is it just me?

 

Not in all cases but quite often I add some extra peat to John innes, stops it turning into a pot of mud, which can happen with some of it.
In fact I probably break all the rules, and mix all sorts of things in depending on what the plant likes.
I add extra grit along with some sharp sand and use it as a cactus compost,I only buy No3, dont mess about with the others.
Its the multipurpose that used to be peat based that I find need the extra feeding, and then if its a plant thats going to be in the pot all summer or longer I do as Hans said and add some osmacote fertilizer.

 

For me, and for most of the plants, seeds I grow, Westland peat free multipurpose, 50/50 with vermiculite and a good handful of slow release fertiliser works well.

 

Thanks again pete, that's very interesting. Must agree about the mud!