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  • #1

    Compost block makers

    Have started to use these in 2 sizes; mini 4 x 5 (1 cm cubes produced) and medium (3cm cubes). At £15 each I hope to get a fair bit of use from them.

    It just appeals to have transplants that should be seamless and no need for pots or other paraphenalia.
    The technique to filling and ejecting them is a learning curve and raises several questions for me.
    What is a recommended compost or mix (little by way of instructions accompany them) ?
    Will they dry out and disintegrate before the roots hold it all together ?
    Maybe others have experience of them.
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  • #2
    I've never used one GHV, but I was looking at them in a catalogue recently wondering if they were a good idea or not! I've bought plants grown like that and they did get away well once planted out, but I'm fairly sure there was a high proportion of peat in these particular blocks which you won't want to use? I'd give it a try with ordinary multi-purpose, fairly damp, and see what happens!

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    • #3
      Where did you get them from GHV????
      "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

      Location....Normandy France

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      • #4
        Online order from Harrods hort
        have been sussing them since last season and just had to try lol
        Pity so many composts here use peat SarzWix - copra peat from coconut husks is a great substitute but not so ready used by the main suppliers
        will have to experiment and let you all know I geuss

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        • #5
          Progress so far is about the same as any normal germination process it seems to me. I have rocket and lettuce going in 1cm blocks (4 x 5) = 20 per tray. I have cabbage, spr broccoli, and spinach going in the larger 3 cm blocks (4x1).
          The soil seems to stay moist in the green house conditions, inside the house where I am needing more heat they are drying more quickly. Using a mister on the latter seems adequate and not erosive of the blocks especially the small ones.
          Some seeds seems to do better pushed into the block and germinate whereas the ones left on top do not. Do lettuce need light excluding? I found it hard to get the seed into a 1cm block and pricking each with a paperclip timeconsuming (the larger blocks had hole made by the blockmaker).
          I hope to do a new batch tomorrow and report back later for different plants.

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          • #6
            was having a second go with the equipment only to find the mini block maker came apart last week as mentioned elsewhere. Seems on reflection that inserting metal mechanism into plastic frame may be fatally flawed design so I guess I will returning that one as you cannot get by with the forces operating in opposite directions and hold it together. Too fiddly and I don't think even super glue will hold it.

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