[cheshirecheese]

I've rather belatedly been given some hollyhock seeds by a friend who'd saved them from last season.  I think the best way to get them started will be in a propagator on a sunny windowsill, but I haven't any seed compost left.  Could I mix potting on compost with some sand to create a suitable medium, and if so, what proportions of each?

[mumofstig]

I'd just sift the lumps out of the potting compost and use it as it is

[Growster...]

We just grab anything which had compost last year, and use that.

After all, home compost is not far different from bought stuff, and if you add a few grains of fertiliser, well, what's the difference?

Goferit - use the stuff you have already!

[cheshirecheese]

I'd just sift the lumps out of the potting compost and use it as it is

I thought ordinary compost was too rich?  I'll perhaps sieve it and add sand to 'water it down' a bit 

[mumofstig]

I'd just sift the lumps out of the potting compost and use it as it is

I thought ordinary compost was too rich?  I'll perhaps sieve it and add sand to 'water it down' a bit 

I honestly don't think that composts have much fertiliser in them at all, nowadays, hence the need to start feeding after a couple of weeks everything grown in pots or modules.
Good luck, whatever you do.

[mrs bouquet]

I just throw Hollyhock seeds around the flower beds, and take the chance.   Normally I have been about 50/50 lucky.   Mrs Bouquet

[cheshirecheese]

I just throw Hollyhock seeds around the flower beds, and take the chance.   Normally I have been about 50/50 lucky.   

Yes, I would normally do that too, Mrs B - but in the autumn rather than the spring.  I thought as it was so late, it would be better to give them a good start in a propagator to get ahead, and then plant them out after the frosts.  We'll see!

[cheshirecheese]

I honestly don't think that composts have much fertiliser in them at all, nowadays, hence the need to start feeding after a couple of weeks everything grown in pots or modules.
Good luck, whatever you do.
[/quote]
Many thanks!