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Why wont my plants grow in mushroom compost?

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  • Why wont my plants grow in mushroom compost?

    The compost is for mushrooms but it says it can be used for vegetables too, but none of the seeds have developed into plants.

  • #2
    As far as I know spent mushroom compost is what is left after mushrooms have grown in it? It is basically horse muck and lime with a we bit of loam I think. To be used as a soil conditioner (used as a mulch or dug in) on brassica patches mainly (due to the lime).

    If you are trying to grow seeds in it the lime could be burning them off?
    Last edited by Snadger; 15-07-2010, 07:11 AM.
    My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
    to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

    Diversify & prosper


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    • #3
      It's a soil improver, it's not a potting compost, esp if it's not fully broken down itself, ie if there are lumps of straw still in it.
      All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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      • #4
        There is no straw in it. But is it very thick and heavy. The stuff is about 3 times as heavy as the usual compost I use.

        The plants eventually germinated but much slower than usual and they seem to be growing slower than usual too.

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        • #5
          What exactly did you sow? As two sheds says it is not a potting/sowing compost so I'm surprised anything has germinated.
          History teaches us that history teaches us nothing. - Hegel

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          • #6
            Originally posted by oldie View Post
            What exactly did you sow? As two sheds says it is not a potting/sowing compost so I'm surprised anything has germinated.
            Water cress, Spinach and Land cress. They germinated but were very slow to.

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            • #7
              I may be completely wrong,but I'm sure I have read on here that mushroom compost is acidic. Hopefully, someone can confirm or deny.
              Sent from my pc cos I don't have an i-phone.

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              • #8
                It used to be thought that mushroom compost was alkaline due to the lime or gypsum that was added but apparently this breaks down and is neutralized leaving a product with a pH of 6.5 to 7. I still wouldn't sow seeds in it though but like others say, it's a good soil conditioner.

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                • #9
                  I got a bag early this year and it tested as pH7 - neutral.
                  History teaches us that history teaches us nothing. - Hegel

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                  • #10
                    I think it's just too rich, maybe a few handfuls of it mixed with ordinary compost might be useful for bigger plants, but for seed sowing either a proper seed sowing compost or just plain multi-purpose compost is best.

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                    • #11
                      Some are still germinating as we speak. Just noticed more have popped up.

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