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Whoops! Seeds in ericaceous compost

NatbatNatbat Posts: 62
in Fruit & veg

Hi there. I just spent a couple of hours planting seeds to start off on the window sil. They were my first seeds of the year as usually I start too early. I planted a wide range, squash, tomato, chilli, pepper, pumpkin, sweetcorn, tomatillo etc etc. After all my hard work I went to put the bag of compost away and realised I had picked up the wrong bag... and planted them all in ericaceous compost meant for my blueberries. 

Is this a lost cause? do I just wait to see what happens? Do I try repotting up the larger sweetcorn, squash and pumpkin seeds to seed compost. 

 

I'm gutted as heading out now to do a 24 hour work shift and so wont be able to address the situation until most likely saturday morning. I'm hoping you will all come back to say it wont harm the seedlings image

Posts

  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,190

    The seeds should germinate regardless. Ericaceous compost may not be ideal afterwards because it will affect the availability of nutrients, but it should not be immediately fatal. If the seedlings seem to be suffering then you can transfer them to better compost, or perhaps apply a little lime.

  • NatbatNatbat Posts: 62

    Thanks Alan, that is pretty reassuring. I searched online for ages for an answer, but it seems that no one else has made the same mistake as me! Will ensure I pot them on in the right compost. 

  • ubelfieldubelfield Posts: 1

    i have collected some seeds from my peiris  do you think they might  grow in ericacious soil?

  • dcurnockdcurnock Posts: 1
    In March 2020 I wanted to plant seeds but the only compost I had was ericaceous compost left over from the previous year. Because of the first national Covid-19 lockdown I could not obtain any ordinary potting compost (even over the internet).  The seeds I planted in the ericaceous compost were Gardeners' Delight cherry tomatoes, cos lettuces, and courgettes , and they all germinated without any problem and on planting out they all gave good crops.  So no problem if the only compost you have is ericaceous! 
  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    If you are concerned, sprinkle some ground eggshells (contain calcium carbonate, which ericaceous lacks).
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
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