cheshunt compound

Hi folks, I have just come across a product called cheshunt compound its supposed to help stop seedlings from dampening off, as I tend to have a bit of a problem with that in the greenhouse I thought I might give it a go,but I wondered if anyone had used it before and what the verdict was on this. :confused:

 

Yes, its basically copper sulphate and amonia, it works very well.....I'm just surprised they haven't got around to banning it yet

http://www.pbi.co.uk/products/238/1

[ 15. January 2006, 04:12 PM: Message edited by: SteveW ]

 

I use it, and am sure that it does work - if only for the fact that it is so old and presumably well tested.

The difficulty is that unless you set up a scientifically controlled test (which is beyond most of us), and repeat it several time, it is difficuly to know how effective many of these gardening aids are. You really have to rely on the manufacturers.

There is a debate on a newsgroup about hormone rooting powder. Some say that it has very little effect.

 

i lkie the rooting gel cos you dont get moulds,
and you can see whats happenning

 

vis a vis damping off ........ i think you could try a few diff seedin compost , different propagator, and some ventilation in g house, also use a good rose to water seed ompost, sow seeds then lightly cover with seived compost

 

I have used it but I find that the quatities that you mix up are usually too large. Then it goes hard in the tin, and the tin goes rusty.
As TLG says, if you use fresh compost, and keep a bit of ventilation going, in most cases its not needed.

 

Its always baffled me why they put it in tin which it reacts with and not thick plastic?

[ 15. January 2006, 04:13 PM: Message edited by: SteveW ]

 

I think its because its such an old product.
Plastic wasn't invented then. :D

 

Never thought of that, but doesn't it lose its power if its an old product? :D

 

It never really worked for me. :D

 

Its a well used product among people I know, especially with tiny seedlings that damp off easy such as lobelia and does work ok on them

I remember reading in a mag last year that sphagnum moss has its own built in fungicide and this chap said if you cut it up and sprinkle it over the trays of lobelia or whatever then that works also?

 

When you think about the conditions it grows in, that could well be right.
As for the cheshunt, I think its the smell that puts me off using it. It even smells "toxic", it dont seem right putting it on seedlings, although I know thats what its intended for.

 

vis a vi spagnum moss .. this is recommended for sowing palm seeds,,,,, which need warm moist conditions to germinate, i tried compost and it all gone mouldy, so i ll go out to try and find some moss

 

Thanks for all the replys, I like the sound of the moss better than the compound I don't really think I would like using something that smells toxic even if it does work.I'll give the moss a go, I do try and keep the greenhouse well ventilated with two automatic vents but at the start of the season it doesn't get warm enough for them to open and I don't have a propagater :confused:

 

Dalbuie, put a propagator on the wish list, its one of those things that once you get it, you can't think how you managed without it.
This time of year anyway.