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Post by roofgardener on Jan 19, 2015 19:03:18 GMT
I read on some seed websitse that some plants should be grown in Vermicelli (presumably Italian/Mediteranean plants ?). I've also seen compost bags claiming to favour seedlings.
Is any of this stuff worthwhile, or is it all just myth, rumour and marketing witchcraft ? Can I use any old pasta and/or compost ?
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 19, 2015 20:24:07 GMT
Do you mean Vermiculite by any chance, Roofy? It`s a silica medium used for cuttings and lightening general composts.
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Post by Rosie on Jan 20, 2015 10:43:21 GMT
I don't think plants would do very well in vermcelli Roofy  But vermiculite is ok  |
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Post by roofgardener on Jan 21, 2015 13:33:36 GMT
Ahh... so... NOT a type of pasta then ? AOK.
I shall get some ! But I'll cancel the order for the tomato paste, and the outsized pepper grinder.
Sooo... what about these "specially for seedlings" composts ? Worthwhile, or not ?
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 21, 2015 19:29:45 GMT
A good, general purpose compost is as good as anything. To open it up a bit add some Perlite or Vermiculite.
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Post by roofgardener on Jan 21, 2015 19:33:59 GMT
Jolly good - I'll do that ! Thanks for the advice.
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 21, 2015 20:05:32 GMT
It`s what we are here for roofy.  |
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Post by Lou78W on Jan 27, 2015 17:32:44 GMT
A good, general purpose compost is as good as anything. To open it up a bit add some Perlite or Vermiculite. BUT...if you are going to raise plants by seed.....the "specialist seed compost" is a must....as it will have no nutrients in which would do the seed no good at all. Its also good for young seedlings...transfer to a mpc when they have a small rootball....then they will grow away. You can then add perlite or vermiculite to the mix to keep the mixture open and help prevent damping off..... |
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 27, 2015 19:58:47 GMT
A good, general purpose compost is as good as anything. To open it up a bit add some Perlite or Vermiculite. BUT...if you are going to raise plants by seed.....the "specialist seed compost" is a must....as it will have no nutrients in which would do the seed no good at all. Its also good for young seedlings...transfer to a mpc when they have a small rootball....then they will grow away. You can then add perlite or vermiculite to the mix to keep the mixture open and help prevent damping off..... Sorry Lou I have to disagree. Multi purpose means just that. It is good for seed sowing and potting up/potting on. Lou, you say in your post, and I quote. ""...the "specialist seed compost"is a must.....as it will have no nutrients in which would do the seed no good at all."" What does that mean, please? |
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Post by Lou78W on Jan 27, 2015 20:31:19 GMT
It means that all the food/nutrients a seed needs to germinate is within the seed itself. Some mcp's would inhibit germination. Their turn will come when the seed has germinated and grown roots and leaves. Its ok for you to disagree Dai. Its interesting to hear different gardeners ways of growing..... What is verdicello btw? |
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Post by daitheplant on Jan 27, 2015 21:18:29 GMT
Lou, seeds need moisture, warmth and air to germinate, then they need nutrients. Cuttings, however, need to be starved of nutrients so that they send out roots in search of it. Apparently, verdicello is a type of pasta.
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Post by sweetpea on Jan 27, 2015 23:48:56 GMT
My seeds grow because I have green fingers  So I have been told. Always use multi purpose or John Innes seed compost except for my sweetpeas when I mix my own or use JI No. 1 Also used to mix my own for exhibition carrots/parsnips/beetroot. |
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Post by ladybird on Jan 28, 2015 0:23:00 GMT
personally roofgardener, I find it worthwile to use a good seed compost to germinate seedlings , a smallish bag or two is usually enough for me each year . The texture is finer that multi purpose, has better draining and it`s easier to rewet from below should the tray dry out . Sometimes there is too much nutrients in multi purpose compost and the little roots of seedlings can suffer and die as they emerge. Tiny seeds , that need light I sow on top of wet seed compost and cover lightly with fine vermiculite, it helps to prevent drying out on heated propagaters but still lets light in. In addition to all of that I sometimes spray the surface of sown seeds with a copper compound to prevent damping off disease especially for tiny seeds like begonias . I don`t use any sprays on my tomato or veg seedthough
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Post by ladybird on Jan 28, 2015 0:26:13 GMT
not sure if the copper sulfate powder I have been using is legal now ? anyone know I will need to get some more this year as I have run out
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Post by Lou78W on Jan 28, 2015 9:49:52 GMT
Lou, seeds need moisture, warmth and air to germinate, then they need nutrients. Cuttings, however, need to be starved of nutrients so that they send out roots in search of it. Apparently, verdicello is a type of pasta. Correct ! |
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But vermiculite is ok 
