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Post by Bennetts on Apr 2, 2009 9:31:54 GMT 1
I recently bought some multi purpose compost, the Eco type. To plant the tomato plants in. When I opened the bag it had a high wood chip content (the replacement for the peat) strange I thought, oh well carry on.  I planted the tomatoes into peat pots, for ease of transplanting and as the are bio degradable.  All seamed OK for a while, but now half are dieing off. They are too wet and there is no nutrients.  What I found is that the top of the compost is dry, but not the base, hence the over watering.  I will steer clear of this stuff again. |
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Post by Biggles on Apr 2, 2009 20:15:43 GMT 1
That is exactly what I found Dave--so I haven't used it again.
Not very encouraging when planting out seedlings either!
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Post by maggyd on Apr 2, 2009 21:25:13 GMT 1
Yes but did you see he G.W. programn last week that was all about peat free compost? Tony Buckland was all for it and he was showing the difference between both of them ! he was saying the peat free was better?  just goes to show you have to try it yourself. Can you not rescue them Bennets by easing them out of the pots and see it that makes a difference! |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Apr 3, 2009 12:06:12 GMT 1
My seeds are in the peat free stuff and whilst the flower seeds are doing ok, the veg ones have done, well nothing bar 2 Sungold toms. I need to get some more and am going for a different one to plant some more this weekend, I'll let you know what I buy & how I get on.
I wonder if the qualities vary perhaps considerably for the peat free ones and you just have to find a good one - i.e. an acceptable alternative? Easier said than done though.
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Post by Bennetts on Apr 4, 2009 9:13:54 GMT 1
I am about to repot the survivors, this time in plastic pots and John Innis no3. I will stear clear of peat free from now on.
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Post by emseypop on Apr 4, 2009 20:19:44 GMT 1
I have some sweetpeas in some of that in loo roll tubes ATM, they always look dry, and germination hasn't been that good.  |
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Post by ladygardener on Apr 5, 2009 9:36:25 GMT 1
It's very interesting to hear these comments. There is so much being made of using peat free compost. It's such a shame people are not getting great results with it. Maybe the thing is to mix it with John Innis or something.
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Post by jasmine on Apr 9, 2009 7:25:27 GMT 1
I remember one of the gardenings mags doing some MP compost v. peat-free compost trials about a year ago and the results from the peat-free were poor compared to the MP. They are going to have to work on the alternatives before people will change - gardening is enough of a challenge without making things harder for yourself which is a real shame as we have improved as a country on the recycling/sustainability front hugely in quite a short space of time.
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Post by Bennetts on Apr 10, 2009 19:07:34 GMT 1
See what I mean  Luckily they are looking a lot better now I have transplanted them. |
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Post by Sleepy on Apr 10, 2009 19:09:55 GMT 1
Hi Dave,
There are things you can do with peat free compost.
Mix it with your regular compost.
Try adding a little washing-up liquid when watering (just a drop or two)
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Post by bogmyrtle on Apr 11, 2009 15:38:28 GMT 1
Hi Dave, There are things you can do with peat free compost. Mix it with your regular compost. Try adding a little washing-up liquid when watering (just a drop or two) What does the washing up liquid do? |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 11, 2009 16:38:20 GMT 1
Hi Dave, There are things you can do with peat free compost. Mix it with your regular compost. Try adding a little washing-up liquid when watering (just a drop or two) What does the washing up liquid do sleepy? |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 11, 2009 16:39:38 GMT 1
Hi Dave, There are things you can do with peat free compost. Mix it with your regular compost. Try adding a little washing-up liquid when watering (just a drop or two)  didnt see myrtles question. ;D What does the washing up liquid do sleepy? |
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Post by Sleepy on Apr 11, 2009 17:58:52 GMT 1
Hi Dave, There are things you can do with peat free compost. Mix it with your regular compost. Try adding a little washing-up liquid when watering (just a drop or two) What does the washing up liquid do? Helps the compost soak up water by breaking down surface tension |
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Post by maggyd on Apr 11, 2009 21:49:29 GMT 1
Good idea  as long as it doesnt harm the roots! |
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Post by bogmyrtle on Apr 12, 2009 7:55:02 GMT 1
What does the washing up liquid do? Helps the compost soak up water by breaking down surface tension Makes sense - I didn't read the 'when watering' bit, I couldn't undertsand why you would add washing up liquid to compost  |
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