Jamieson brothers

Hi I ordered some seed compost of their website today a bit foolishly I guess as I'd never heard of them before. Anyone had any experience of using them? Reviews on trust pilot seem ok apart from 3 negative ones.

 

Just an update. Compost arrived and seems ok. Bit of woody fibres but will see if my seeds germinate without rotting.
I don't know if I should start a new thread but anyone got a guide to make your own seed compost?
Ideally one which doesn't make soaked seeds rot or stops fungus growing in compost.

 

I think the first thing to do if there's woody material is - sieve it. Most seeds will be happier in a finer mix, although there are always plenty of exceptions.
It can be difficult getting the water levels right though. I often use spent compost from the pots of annuals from the previous year, as it's less nutritious, but easy enough re the watering.
Another alternative is just to mix something like grit or Perlite through the compost, so that the drainage is nice and sharp. Once you get to the pricking out stage, the mix can be more easily made to suit the type of plant. If you have reasonable garden soil you can also try sieving some of that and mixing it with the compost as well as grit/Perlite if drainage needs to be good.
Seed generally doesn't need much help to germinate, especially at this time of year. For autumn sowing, a mix with low levels of nutrients is better, just to avoid too much soft growth which can then struggle to stay healthy.
A lot of composts are so variable nowadays, so I think lots of people are making up their own mixes

 

I use used compost with coarse sand from builders merchants or diy stores. rinse the sand if you want to, but I've never found the need. I prick out seedlings into a fresh compost and sand mix.
I don't go for all this horticultural grit/sand/second mortgage stuff, I use what I can afford....the seeds aren't normally in the starting mix for too long

 

No microwave unfortunately. Well already noticed signs of fungus on surface of compost in propagator and some seeds. Guess most will just rot.
Any point in removing seeds and just putting in some drier seeds compost?
I do have old compost but it's been mixed with soil from wormery so loads of tiny insects in.

 

Erythrina livingstoni( Livingstone's coral tree). I only watered from.below so thought it would be fine. Had to soak seeds for 24hrs before sowing.
Should I remove seeds and put fresh unwatered compost or no point?

 

Would suggest you tip it all out on a sheet of cardboard, spread it out and let the air/sun dry it for a few hours. You may be able to spot the (red?) seeds to re-sow then keep damp. A dusting of sulphur dust should not hurt, as fungicide.

 

Yes the seeds are red. I did as you suggested and changed the compost. Will see if any germinate. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

Fingers crossed that will work for you @Ynnead. I have no knowledge of the plant you're growing, and that's also where it can be difficult to advise, but most seed needs very little help to germinate other than the correct temps and light, and that isn't always high temps and lots of light.
I've never microwaved old compost, or put it in the oven, as I recall someone once mentioned. I can just imagine my daughters' reaction if they found me doing that. Immediate phone call to the nearest old people's home!
Drying out the compost/mix as described should certainly help. Then you can go from there.

 

I've grown Erythrina crista galli from seed on a few occasions.
Fresh seeds germinate fairly easily at around 25c.
As for compost I just use multi purpose straight from the bag, potting on after germination I usually add some JI compost and peat free with sharp sand in equal quantities.