Planting seeds in John Innes no 3 - horrible mistake?

[Nicos]

Are 'they' referring to 'composed Sphagnum moss' in the compost Norm - as opposed to freshly dug peat mixed in with compost? That would be quite different. Maybe you could contact the manufacturers to find out ??

I am quite interested in this as my lottie is only a few hundred yards away from where Lindow Pete was found in the mid 1980's
Homecoming for bog man - News - Wilmslow Express

There is a lot of environmental concern as this area is still being dug 20 years later in a big way.
If composted Sphagnum moss does take 5-8 years to compost down under certain circumstances and the moss was commercially grown rather than stripped from the wild, then isn't this the way forward?

I'd love to know if this is what in fact what is happening - it may give some clout behind the local environmentalists who want Lindow Common left to nature again! ( or at least a change of use to the site?)

Out of interest- I came across this info about Sphagnum moss...

Sphagnum Moss vs Sphagnum Peat Moss

[Nicos]

And having said all that- I have to add that there IS peat in John Innes Compost!

About John Innes

[Snadger]

And.........to add more fuel (sic) to the argument. Is transporting coir halfway across the world, with all that entails enviromentally, as sound as is made out?

[crichmond]

I see your point Snadger, question is, is there an enviromentaly friendly and ecologicaly friendly alternative to peat or coco coir.

[Matt.]

Anyway...back to John Innes.

I thought it was a simple 1,2,3 system. Start at the beginning working your way up as your plant progresses. Some veg/fruit plants never really mature (e.g tomatoes) so suggestions made to stick to #2 and not move onto #3.

So far I've only used #1 for seedlings and its a really nice light consistency that works well. However, if you sowed seeds in #3 its unlikly to be a disaster so see how they go and live and learn.

[piskieinboots]

I must be doing something wrong Matt - I tried #1 and got the cement and was (honest gov) careful with the watering

[shirlthegirl43]

Flippin' 'eck you two - I hope you haven't frightened poor Growem off the forum forever!!

[JennieAtkinson]

Right Guys ......... can we take the heat out of this debate please and get on with the original question

The one thing about this Forum is that we have always respected each other's opinion, it is still possible to debate a subject whilst respecting another opinion and keeping personal comments off the Forum.

So back to John Innes Please .............

[The Doctor]

Does anyone have any feelings as to whether John Innes is better/worse than any other?

I must admit, I've never worried too much about buying the branded names, or any system of progression through grades, it's just usually the biggest, cheapest bags that have the minimum of peat I can find!

[piskieinboots]

So back to John Innes Please .............

cement - in the set form

[Norm]

Still with you on this Suzie. Each to their own. If JI works for you, use it. If it doesn't, try something else. Over the years I've experimented with every new idea known to man for creating a good growing medium and all have failed. As I keep saying, I've used peat based compost for about 30 years and wouldn't use anything else. AND you have the advantage of "one size fits all" as it's multi-purpose, except for the specialist mediums.
But that's only my opinion.

[nick the grief]

If your sowing seeds you want JI seed and cutting compost as it's not so rich in Nutrients. Then when you pot on you go into JI No1 then move on as they need potting on. The only difference is the strength of fertiliser. JI1 is 2ounces to the bushel, JI2 4oz, JI3 6oz etc. The seed compost only has superphosphate in it to help with root growth. The reason your seeds probably didn't work Piskie is a combination is any that germinated the roots could have got burned by the fertiliser and you have to go easy on the water as it can get cold as wet.

As to the merits of JI against Multipurposes, JI is easier to re-wet, and you don't suffer so much with vine weevil. Peat based is easier to use for most people as it is free draining in comparison.

Personally I use John Innes but then I grow Chrysanths and as I'm not here during the day it suits me better than MP. for sowing seeds I tend to use Humax MP compost - not sure of the peat content of this but as I only use 2 bags at most each year. for My JI I use a peat substitute.

[vegnut]

I have a nice bag of JI seed compost to use. I have always used JI's products and had no problems with it at all. As nick the grief stated. Use them in stages, as they were meant to be used, and you should have good results.

[roitelet]

Can't get JI out here, which is what I prefer to use. So I am using a commercial compost for seed sowing and mixing my own for potting on. Equal parts loam, seived compost and sand. Seems to work well