Planting seeds in John Innes no 3 - horrible mistake?

[shirlthegirl43]

From what I'm understanding, you are all saying that they will grow, but there are better things out there for seeds. Considering the last set of seeds I started didn't see soil at all until they were well sprouted, only having a wet kitchen paper to keep them going, they might be grateful for something!

Why don't you try some in multi purpose compost and make your own comparison. I use what I have to hand and usually don't have the spare cash to have a choice of different sowing, potting etc media. I have had sufficient success with my way to revert to that since I am not impressed with the small bag of seed compost I purchased. Other people will have their favoured recipe. Experiment a bit and see what works for you.

[Norm]

any chance of the recipe Norm - I have just used JI and I so agree with the 'wet cement'

Get a big bag of irish moss peat (It's a renewable resource made from composted moss, so you're not destroying the environment), then buy chempac compost mix from the garden centre, a bag of pearlite and some moisture retaining granules. Mix peat and chempac according to the instructions on the box, add the granules and pearlite and you're away. It works out at about a quarter of the price of ready made.

[Snadger]

I prefer John Innes type composts!

At one time it was the ONLY type of compost available and some of those old Victorian gardeners grew stuff I can only dream of.
I'ts also a very cheap option when made with good quality allotment soil.

Fibrous loam was used originally by stacking upturned turves for a year and using them with sand , peat (before it became ecologically frowned upon!) with a John Innes base fertiliser bought relatively cheaply.

For plants in large pots, the added weight of JI3 stops them toppling over as well!

[Norm]

For plants in large pots, the added weight of JI3 stops them toppling over as well!

So does 2 house bricks!

[smallblueplanet]

Get a big bag of irish moss peat (It's a renewable resource made from composted moss, so you're not destroying the environment...

What?

Action 11. Moss Peat & Horticulture

The extraction of moss peat from bogs for use in horticulture and gardening is a major threat to the future conservation of raised bogs. Several privately funded moss peat extraction schemes are underway on raised bogs that are designated as Natural Heritage Areas or Special Areas of Conservation. In the past other NHAs, ASSIs and SACs have been damaged to varying degrees in preparation for development which was subsequently halted.

The extraction schemes are financially lucrative due to the consumer demand in Ireland and the UK for moss peat in gardening.

IPCC Bogs & Fens of Ireland Conservation Plan 2005 - Campaign Action

Can you back up your statement please?

[Norm]

It's composted peat moss, the green stuff that grows on the top, NOT peat from peat bogs

[smallblueplanet]

I'm not saying it isn't.

I just wanted to know how it is extracted from the top of the peat bogs in a sustainable manner. The quote I posted seems to suggest it isn't, and its tough enough to get peat-free stuff without buying stuff in error believing its environmentally okay.

[Norm]

The quote refers to the extraction of peat from bogs, not the composting of peat moss and is 3 years out of date. Also, modern technology has enabled the peat extracted from bogs to be replenished in 5 - 8 years, thus giving the green brigade opportunity to find something else they know nothing about to winge over.

[smallblueplanet]

...modern technology has enabled the peat extracted from bogs to be replenished in 5 - 8 years...

You're saying peat can be replenished in 5-8 years?

Where is your evidence of the sustainability - big businesses would not miss the opportunity to 'wave their green credentials' - can you back up what you say. Or don't you care about the desecration of the peat bogs?

[crichmond]

How can the way you extract peat make it be replenished in 5 - 8 years when its took hundreds or thousands of years to create in the first place?

Is this something that has been scientifically proven or is this just advertising crap on the packaging of the products you buy, if its scientifically proven can you supply a link to the information as I am sure it would make interesting reading.

Cheers Chris

[Norm]

Or don't you care about the desecration of the peat bogs?

Not a lot, no. I don't do green, I don't do environmentally friendly, I don't do PC, I don't do band wagons, I eat loads of meat and most of all, I don't have the affrontery to try and ram my opinions down anyone else's throat. I have my opinions, to which I an entitled, as does everyone else.

How to use sphagnum peat moss - Tips 'n' Ideas
I think you may have to c&p

[crichmond]

So I guess that because one gardening tips website says so you believe it, no scientific proof on there at all, if you are going to recommend that new shoots use peat telling them that it is sustainable then try backing up your claims with scientific evidence of some sort not rubbish published by a gardening tips website just to make you feel better.

Yes you are entitled to express your views but you were trying to state fact, not views on the sustainability of peat.
PS: why not promote something that is sustainable like coco coir (coconut fibres)

Cheers Chris

[Norm]

Good point Chris, but I was asked a question which I answered. I am entitled to recommend anything I like if I'm asked what I used and how I made it. As for scientific proof, I don't care. I don't have to justify a thing to anyone, anywhere.I don't have to back up a single word. It doesn't make me feel better because I never felr bad about it in the first place. I state what I please, when I please and how I please, without let or hindrance. There is no law in this country to prevent the use of peat. While it's available, I'll use it by the ton. I've used it for 35 years and will continue to use it: even if the more sensitive amongst us get upset

[crichmond]

Hi Norm

Im not upset but I do think its wrong to state something as though it is fact when it clearly isnt, at the end of the day that site is just some Australian guys blog. I think it would have been better if you had made it clear it was your view rather than making it seem as though you were stating facts.

Cheers Chris

[Norm]

Hi Chris,

Not sure I want to call the antipodaen a liar, he's probably bigger than me and has loads of mates. Also, I have no proof as to whether his claims are fact or fiction. Again I have no proof that the green movement's claims are fact or fiction.
All this seems to have resulted from what I said having been misread or misinterpreted, deliberately or otherwise.
I was asked for the recipe for my home made compost, which I gave. The peat I use is (acording to the label) made from composted peat moss, not from extracted moss peat.

As for your suggestion I should have made it clear that I was offering an opinion, rather than stating a fact, 99% of the advice given on this site is opinion, not fact, even though it is put across as fact by the person offering it, as they believe it to be fact.
As I said earlier I can state whatever I want and need no-one's approval, or permission. I could state that the moom is made of green cheese as a fact. It is up to the readers as to whether they believe it or not.

Cheers,
Norm