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Peat free seed compost v peat free compost, is there any difference?

theno2socotheno2soco Posts: 80
in The potting shed
Title says it all!

I want to propagate poppy root cuttings and peat free seed compost is suggested but I have never come across any in stores.

In addition, seed trays are suggested followed by 'potting on'. This means use a larger pot I presume, but if they are going into a garden is that stage necessary? Would the same soil be used?

Further, 'garden grit' is suggest as a layer on top of the soil to aid drainage. This should be at the bottom of the soil?
  Every contact leaves a trace - Locard

My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    You don’t really need seed compost at all, any MPC, Peat free, or peat containing will do.
    You do need to pot on, very small plants in large pots or direct into the ground do not do well.
    I would always cover the surface of a tray with root cuttings with grit, stops it drying out, and lessens weeds.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • theno2socotheno2soco Posts: 80
    punkdoc said:
    You don’t really need seed compost at all, any MPC, Peat free, or peat containing will do.
    You do need to pot on, very small plants in large pots or direct into the ground do not do well.
    I would always cover the surface of a tray with root cuttings with grit, stops it drying out, and lessens weeds.
    MPC?

    I have always bought peat free, thought having peat in soil was to be avoided. Are there actually two different soil 'blends' for seeds?
      Every contact leaves a trace - Locard

    My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Sorry, multi purpose compost.
    People use many different mixes, but I have never found the need for specific seed compost.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    Multi Purpose Compost 

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Seed compost (peat-free or not) has less fertiliser in it than multi-purpose compost (MPC saves typing :)). It might also have more sand to make it more free-draining. But root cuttings should be OK in whatever you have as long as it doesn't get too soggy or too dried-out.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Seed compost is recommended for sowing at this time of year [ie autumn]  purely because it has less nutrition than a MPC, and prevents seedlings and young plants becoming leggy over winter, resulting in poor, unhealthy plants going into the proper growing season.  :)
    I've never bothered with it though, mainly because I rarely sow things like hardy annuals in autumn, but even if I do, I just use old compost from annuals that are finished. Seed generally needs very little help to germinate in terms of nutrition. It's when you need them to grow on [mainly spring into summer] that they need a bit more. 
    Another advantage of the grit layer on top is to help stop wet soil/compost sitting against the vulnerable stems of seedlings, but it very much depends on the plant variety.
    Most problems with seedlings are caused by overwatering and too much cossetting.

    I also use soil for various seeds, and very often for cuttings, and that's when you can mix grit in to get a really free draining mix which many plants will prefer. Again - it depends on how and when you're growing them. In a wet area, sowing outside through summer, that can help with any plant that would hate being waterlogged. Less of a problem with something that needs to retain moisture, or if you live in one of those very dry parts of the UK   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • theno2socotheno2soco Posts: 80
    edited September 2023
    Fairygirl said:
    Less of a problem with something that needs to retain moisture, or if you live in one of those very dry parts of the UK   :)
    Thank you for that input @Fairygirl.

    I am in that part of the UK which will soon become a desert! My lawn is suffering poor thing :-(
      Every contact leaves a trace - Locard

    My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    This is where it really helps to know your location @theno2soco, because we might be a fairly small island, but there's huge variations in climate and conditions. It's partly because of it being small that the variation is so marked. When you add a bit of altitude, that also affects what happens. It just makes it easier to offer advice or ideas.
    We really never have to worry about brown lawns here where I am, and even if they do get a bit dry- it's usually just areas under trees or similar. Even so, we're having longer dry spells, more frequently, so we have to think a bit more about how we plant, and what plants we use. I couldn't live in the south of England - the heat would see me off. It's bad enough here with the higher temps we're getting and those mild winters.  I spend a lot of time inside on sunny days. 
    It's something that many gardeners are having to deal with, and often completely changing what they plant and how they can care for it. 

    When you do your cuttings, you can't go too far wrong with a gritty mix which isn't so lightweight it can't hold moisture for a day or two. With the best will in the world though - plants sometimes fail and it's just how it is  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • theno2socotheno2soco Posts: 80
    edited September 2023
    Thanks once again @Fairygirl, not only do I live in the South but in the South East soon to be desert 33 yesterday. Never thought to say location in posts but it is obvious now you mention it.
      Every contact leaves a trace - Locard

    My abode: Essex, soon to be a desert!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    We used to be able to have it [location] alongside our name/avatar, but for some reason that option has vanished. You can add it in the signature strip below the posting window, although I believe some people can't see that. I don't know if it's to do with certain devices/phones etc, but worth having a look. 
    It helps a fair bit as it gives us a rough idea of conditions, and often- a different country altogether. Most forum members are UK based, but not all - we have posters from all parts of the globe ,and that makes it interesting too   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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