Seed Compost or not

[Chuckles]

I've always used ordinary compost mixed with course sand for seeds and cuttings but have always wondered if I'd get better results with a proper seed compost. Yesterday I bought two bags of John Innes soil based seed compost for the first time. £2.50 for a 25ltr bag

Whats everyone else use for seeds and cuttings

[Ladygardener]

Good topic for a thread Chuckles and very timely. Funnily enough up until recently I was the opposite to you and would have used seed compost but this year I'm using multipurpose. So far the Sweetpea, phlox, stock, peppers, onions, have all germinated. I can't always get to the gc and the seed compost is expensive and I intend to grow so many seeds. It will be interesting to see what everyone uses.

[Jasmine]

I started using seed and cutting compost for the first time last year. A few years ago I hadn't really twigged that there were different composts/soils for different things. Seed and cutting compost is dear but I was pleased with the results last year. You've got me thinking now Chuckles, it might be interesting to see what difference there is in multipurpose and seed and cutting compost and see how well the seeds/seedlings do.

[snowowl]

I have been sowing seeds for years to many to think about realy ;D and i have never bought seed compost.
I always use MP.
I always think seed compost is expensive and being a money saver in the garden as best i can have always gone for the best buys on multi purpose.
This year with the recesion on it will be tighten belts a little more garden wise.
But i like the chalenge of doing the best i can without spending to much.

[Tig]

I usually use MP for most things, especially the veg. I bought some JI soil-based seed compost in the end of season sale last year (Wilkinsons, it was half price - paid £1.25p) - and I have used it for some of the more unusual seeds I have sown this year - dunno if they would have done just as well in MP though We shall see if they germinate ..

x Tig

[Spruance]

It is well worth remembering that John Innes loam based compost comes in several distinct grades based on available nutrients.

JI Seed Compost is low in nutrients and so as the name suggests is ideal for sowing seed.

JI No.1 can be used for sowing larger seeds and for first stage pricking out of seedlings.

JI No.2 is for potting on.

JI No.3 is for mature plants and is also ideal for plants in permanent containers.

Of course there are any number of other composts, or indeed you could always make your own!

I tend to use riddled (sieved) B&Q peat based compost with a small amount of JI No.1 mixed in for sowing seed, as I find that this mixture holds the moisture better than John Innes on its own.

[jean]

I use multipurpose compost mixed with vermiculite & perlite, I also use silver sand if I have no perlite to hand. I've been using a sieve for covering the seeds.

Another question - do you water the compost before or after sowing the seeds ? I usually soak the seed trays and let them stand for a while before sowing my seeds.

[Tig]

It depends how damp the compost is when I have filled the pots / trays. If it is very dry I soak first in tepid water and sow while the mixture is still warm. If it is still damp (but cold) I put it in a warm place for a couple of hours and then sow. I always try and water from the bottom though - dunno if it is the right thing to do but I know the seeds won't be disturbed

I never use cold water, always kept at room temperature. For some things I use warmed water.

x Tig

[jean]

Watering at "room" temperature is a good idea Tig, I try and fill up enough watering cans in advance but they are never enough.

If you have a few trays to sow they can be done the day before and as long as they are kept covered, they will remain moist and not soggy

[Chuckles]

I usually have a bag of compo and a bucket of sand in the GH so as it's not stone cold and if I'm organised I have a bucket full mixed, if I'm even more organised I also have pre fill seed trays etc in readiness for sowing in a few days time, less mass to warm up. As far as watering goes I always stand whatever I've planted in water for an hour or so then drain any excess away and it's always water I've had in the GH so again not stone cold.

I'm not sure I'm liking this seed compo, not that I can tell if it's better for the seeds yet, it's just me being faddy. I'm sure this will cause some sniggers and grins but I don't like the feel of it ;D I love the feel of GP Compo and always break it up in my hands, seed compo is sort of clammy some how and very clumpy, go on you can all have a laugh now.

[Dr Bill]

I use a multipurpose peat-free compost mixed with vemiculite or perlite to improve drainage. I thoght about trying some JI seed compost this year, but doesn't the JI mixture include some peat? I also wonder whether there isn's a tendency for loam based compost to form a pan on the surface?

[4pygmies]

I use the new formula New Horizon peat free MP compost and have found it to be really superior to the old one as it has much less twiggy stuff and is very small textured. I have used peat free for years and haven't noticed many problems. Atm my local, very small nursery is offering it at 3 X 60L bags for a tenner which is very very cheap for such good quality peat free..

[Mowhay]

I have always used just MP and it has been OK

[Auricula]

I always just use multi purpose compost and the results are fine

[Chuckles]

I'm now mixing the seed compost I bought with my usual MP compo just to use it up

[beanie]

I bought seed compost this year and hardly anything has failed to germinate.
Two pots havn't, but I forgot about them and let them dry, out so my fault

[andy]

I use multi-purpose for all my seeds and cuttings. Everything's come up like mustard and cress this year !!!

[Cheerypeabrain]

I still use seed compost (I have JI seed compost and a GC's own one) for most seeds....but for great big seeds like MGs, ricinus etc I allus use good quality MP compy....I would also use MP compost if I was sowing seeds of plants that don't respond well to being moved about...