This topic contains 3 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by grannyjanny 12 years, 1 month ago.
-
Posts
-
Good question here Robin, I have been wondering the same, with some beetroot showing patchy germination and now the same with spinach in 2012 West Riding compost, after the same seeds germinated well in their 2011 compost. I wonder why wild rocket is being reluctant as I find that brassicas usually grow well in almost any compost. Perhaps because its seeds are so tiny (eg compared to salad rocket) and therefore can be overcome by richness.
I have a feeling that nutrient levels are a little too high and seeds prefer weaker compost to germinate, indeed such as John Innes no.1. I actually have some of West Riding’s "seed compost" which I suspect is a weaker mix and it has worked for lettuce so far.
It is frustrating to have these difficulties but growth of seedlings is strong once they are growing in the WR module compost. In all my years (sadly old enough to say that!) I have not had so many "compost issues" as recently.
I find it very interesting that even you Charles has experienced compost problems. I won’t name the ones I have had trouble with over the last few years but I will say that I go to great lengths to buy Clover compost. After loosing so many seeds last year & we are talking beans & squash here that we did a 25 mile round trip to buy some Clover MP. It probably wouldn’t suit everyone as it has peat in but it is like putting your hand into a bag of flour doesn’t need sieving & a couple of years ago it was frozen in the Winter & I still had 100% germination the following Spring. In other compost I’ve had chunks of wood, large pieces of plastic, twigs, chunks of glass & unrecognisable material. I do have health problems so am unable to stand sieving so that I can sow my seeds.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.