Gone peat free - nothing germinating arrg

[zazen999]

If it does that, try mixing it with some multi purpose....

Chilis and onions do take a while, toms should be up in a week at most.
Calabrese should be germinated in cool conditions, not in a heated prop [you haven't mentioned where all these are so it's hard to tell what else might be going wrong].

have you got a few photos?

[Davyburns]

Davy - what do you mean 'either'

Peat/peat free
or
seed/multipurpose

I meant pet/peat free, but I suppose you could lump in mcp/seed in as well. I understand that a seed compost will hold the moisture and probably the warmth in better, so is probably the better choice, but surely the principle is the same

[Shadylane]

If it does that, try mixing it with some multi purpose....

Chilis and onions do take a while, toms should be up in a week at most.
Calabrese should be germinated in cool conditions, not in a heated prop [you haven't mentioned where all these are so it's hard to tell what else might be going wrong].

have you got a few photos?

No, I know i haven't given you much info- simply because the conditions are the same as I always use and have had no problems with in the past. And by past I mean last couple of months/last couple of years. Toms and chillies in the airing cupboard, onions and everything else inside wherever there is space. (At the moment that is the bath) .

Don't use a prop for stuff like brassicas. I'm almost certain it's the compost. I think I sowed some calendula and limanthes in B&Q's peat free and they all came up fine - they were germinated in the bath (in modules not just in the bath) and then put outside once up which is what I usually do with anything hardy. (bathroom is fairly cool and light) I didn't like B&Q's when i used it - too woody, but now it's looking a lot better than this other stuff. Still, will keep trying. Thanks for the replies anyway peeps

[Two_Sheds]

How do you water ShadyLane? Onto the surface, or by sitting the pots in a saucer? The compost shouldn't crust on the surface if you water from the bottom

[Potstubsdustbins]

I had the same problem some 3 years ago hence my return to peat in for setting seeds and since I have no trouble. Maybe these new composts are better but the stuff I used was awful.

Colin

[Shadylane]

How do you water ShadyLane? Onto the surface, or by sitting the pots in a saucer? The compost shouldn't crust on the surface if you water from the bottom

Hmm yes I know you're supposed to water from the bottom - and sometimes I do, but when I first but a seed in a pot I always add a drop of water from the top so it gets straight to where it needs to be. I always thought you watered from the bottom, when there was actually some root growth, so it went straight to the roots, but obviously a newly planted seed doesn't have roots yet and it's closer to the surface.

[zazen999]

When you water from the bottom, the water penetrates upwards due to capillary action. Then, when the water is removed from the saucer, or is all sucked up; gravity pulls the water down and the seed is then brought into contact with the soil below. All new sowings or transplants are put into a tray of water for 15-30 mins and then drain a little once out but I know that the roots and seed are drawn down firmly into the soil once watered.

[zazen999]

I meant pet/peat free, but I suppose you could lump in mcp/seed in as well. I understand that a seed compost will hold the moisture and probably the warmth in better, so is probably the better choice, but surely the principle is the same

Peat/peat free - I'll let you google that one

Seed/MPC - seed compost has less nutrients as the seedling needs less; MPC has an amount but it will only last a certain amount of time.

[Shadylane]

When you water from the bottom, the water penetrates upwards due to capillary action. Then, when the water is removed from the saucer, or is all sucked up; gravity pulls the water down and the seed is then brought into contact with the soil below. All new sowings or transplants are put into a tray of water for 15-30 mins and then drain a little once out but I know that the roots and seed are drawn down firmly into the soil once watered.

Ah right. I was aware of the system for watering plants/seedlings but it never occurred to me that it was suitable for new sowings aswell. Cheers

[Two_Sheds]

it never occurred to me that it was suitable for new sowings aswell.

See, that peat free might work for you after all - you just needed a different method

[Shadylane]

Yes, hope so - have enough of the stuff now - 3/4 bag of B&Q, 3 bags of YHS, 3 bags of New Horizon and 3 bags of me own homemade stuff. Oh and a bag of sand. And to think not long ago I was struggling to find any. Thanks again for all the advice

[Two_Sheds]

I think most of the peat free bags do say you might need to alter your watering regime? I found the B&Q a bit coarse for seeds (although you could riddle it) but it's been fine for my two ornamental trees-in-tubs

[Shadylane]

Yeah it is very course, but stuff seems to be growing fine in it. Do you find the bags go off more quickly than peat based ones?

[taff]

I got some this year from the gc where I usually buy from [NH vegetable compost]. I know it's been sitting there nearly all winter or longer because the bags on top were faded.
It looks like lovely stuff though, but as i've only just sown everything a few days ago, I can't comment on how effective it is.

[Two_Sheds]

Do you find the bags go off more quickly than peat based ones?

How do you tell?
I am currently using last summer's compost, what I got in the autumn sales - it's fine