Seed compost????

skywalker · « **on:** January 29, 2007, 22:18 »

I sowed some onons and some leeks earlier this month in multi purpose compost. I have since bought some B&Q seed compost on offer at 2 x 55litre bags for £5 (one bag costs £4.98). What I want to know is will it make any difference??? I know that seed conpost tends to be smaller particles but my multi purpose sowings seem to be doing ok?? What does everyone think?

muntjac · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2007, 22:20 »

use what ya got n dont worry , before the composts stuff was invented ,, we just threw em down n bobs ur anty

skywalker · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2007, 22:27 »

Yeh I think sometimes the advice gets a bit scientific. At the end of the day most plants have managed to self germinate for several hundred years without assistance. As long as they grow thats fine with me!

waddecar · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2007, 22:28 »

Seed compost contains hardly any nutrients - the seeds themselves contain everything the germinating plant needs.

Multi purpose compost will usually have balanced NPK. Seeds in compost that contains nutrients will do just as well.

But you will usually pay a bit more for the multipurpose stuff.

skywalker · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2007, 22:35 »

The multi purpose stuff I had just lying around so used it anyway. Was only when I got to B&Q that I realised they had a compost for every eventuality.

GrannieAnnie · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2007, 23:04 »

That's so they can blind you with science to get you to part with more money skywalker!

muntjac · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2007, 23:05 »

in deep dusky voice ... feel them stealing your wallet skywalker argshhhhhhhhe shhh heavy breathing bit there

Eristic · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2007, 03:20 »

It all depends on what you are trying to sow. True seed compost is normally of finer grade so smaller seedlings can push through with less resistance, and should be sterilised. Normal potting or multi-purpose composts are not usually sterile and contain strong fertiliser componants that can burn.

For run-of-the-mill seeds like peas, beans, courgettes etc the cheaper mixes are as good as any other but it is not uncommon these days to spend a £1 ea on seeds and these ought to have decent compost.

For my own general use, I recycle last years potting compost, which is itself home-made from garden compost mixed with sharp sand and some garden soil. However, if I grow anything rare or expensive, or want to carry out a trial or other experiment I will always use John Innes No.1 for seed sowing.

It's horses for courses.

supersprout · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2007, 06:09 »

Purely for convenience, Arthur Bowers with John Innes here. I do a lot of sowing in modules indoors and take a bag up to my 3rd floor kitchen, enough for a season's sowing

richyrich7 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2007, 09:10 »

Just don't use grow bag compost for seeds as the higher than average nutrient content can "burn" the seedlings delicate roots.

Annie · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2007, 09:45 »

I have always used peatfree multipurpose,initially through ignorance but I carry on because I have never had any problems.

skywalker · « **Reply #11 on:** January 30, 2007, 17:46 »

Thanks. Have picked up some seed compost now in which i am going to sow some leeks 2night. Got so much work to do on the plot I don't know where 2 start. May have to enlist the help of a couple of droids!

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