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Dodgy compost?

Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276
in Problem solving
Do we ever really know what we're getting when buying a bag of compost? I ask because I can only think I've had a bad batch because cosmos that were pricked out have barely grown in over two weeks. Some lucky ones got different compost and they're twice as big, the difference is quite startling.

The thing is I can't remember what brand it was because I empty out the compost into a big tub which enables me to add coir/grit etc as and when the need arises.

Posts

  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276
    Thank you for that link pansyface. That's quite shocking to read but doesn't surprise me. Without having access to a laboratory, the only way us gardeners can know there is something wrong with the compost is when our plants suffer. And by then we have lost precious time.

    With my cosmos and hollyhocks I'm growing for our son, its the first time I've had to repot plants not because they're getting too big for the pot, but because they look to be starving.
  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276
    philippa smith2 said:
    A lot of the compost these days does seem to lack something but a lot also seems to have additions which you don't particularly want.  A newly opened bag of Wickes Graded Top Soil contained a large healthy bindweed root and Levington JI no. 2  and 3 is full of weed seeds. 
    With various makes I too have found that whilst seeds have germinated, they fail to grow as you would expect.
    You're right Philippa, and I wonder what Gordon Ramsay would have to say about it.

    PS - was the bindweed a free gift?
  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,016
    I opened a bag of Miracle Grow compost today.  In the quantity required for 1 14" hanging basket I found 3 lumps of solid something (not even sure it's wood) at least the size of my thumb.  Clearly they aren't too bothered about sieving the junk out before bagging.
  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276
    Can't beat a bit of bindweed, looks lovely on an obelisk. I will try to upload a photo of my cosmos...OK cosmos on the left were lucky enough to get the new bag. They are the only two of that size. All the rest look like the two on the right, though I've since replaced the dodgy compost so hopefully they might kick on. All of them were pricked out on the same day. 

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Maybe the new compost was too rich, cosmos thrive in very low nutrient soil 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Fishy65Fishy65 Posts: 2,276
    There are some hollyhocks that are stunted too though Lyn, I've re-potted those as well so hopefully they will pick up.
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