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Re: [SHADEGARDENS] Unfinished Compost

At 09:48 PM 1/28/98 EST,  Cindy Johnson <Cidjohnson@AOL.COM> wrote:
" I'm hoping someone can tell me what is different about finished compost and
  almost finished compost and how/why they affect seeds and seedlings
  differently. I'm trying to figure out what's going wrong with my
seedlings...
  This is long enough...could there be a connection between my lack of success
  and my compost? " --Cindy Johnson White Bear Lake, MN zone 4a
--------->> CINDY.. further to what others advised; and particularly,
adding a little more to what Sherryl Sandersfeld so eloquently stated "I
now reserve my compost applications to outdoor gardens of more mature
plants which seem to benefit more, or are stressed less".
         You must develope a seed sowing technique, which provides maximum
germination for you and a method you like.  Once found stick to it.
         Generally speaking, using compost as a seed germinating medium is
a "No No" >:-( for many reasons?  The growing medium used to sprout seed,
must be sterile and clean i.e. free of fungus virus; free of weed seeds,
free of rubbish; free of soil born insects and so on.  It must provide good
water drainage, yet be able to hold moisture and have an acidity level (PH
factor) which the species you are growing DOES LOVE?.. and yes.. I'm saying
that plants "do love" anthropomorphic or not?.. and believe it or not? <g>
         COMPOST is generally, all that rotted garbage from your kitchen;
and as such, there is no control over what you are using to try to grow
seedlings in.  It is not suitable!  Even well rotted compost can be toxic
to seedlings by it's nature and/or it's overly-rich composition of who
knows what?
         A greenhouse-range nearby, covering over 4 acres of land, uses a
growing medium called Pro Mix (trade mark) and I believe, this is available
at Nurseries in the USA?  This Nursery, use tons of this growing medium;
producing & selling millions of plants, so obviously, it is a good product?
         Pro Mix (TM) is basically a soiless mixture of peat, vermiculite
and perlite and is available in finely shredded form for sowing seedlings
(plug trays) or a courser mixture, for potting.  For transplanting, I
personally like the "BX" formula, since it contains a small amount of slow
release fertilizer and wetting agent.  I use the fine mixture for sowing.
         Maybe you should visit a greenhouse establishment and/or Nursery
in your area: to find out what types of growing mediums are available?  For
that matter, you don't even need to leave your chair to see what is
available.  Via Internet you can cruise over to
                                www.parkseed.com
and they have everything you need to grow seed successfully and/or get
ideas on same?
         I hope I've made my point clear enough Cindy?
         DO NOT USE COMPOST TO SOW SEED IN!
         Buy the good stuff, else you're just wasting seed
         and your time?

Best Wishes

Bill Nash Guelph Ontario Canada Z4 <raffi@sympatico.ca>

ps.. 'Let's Streak' item, left earlier this week.. please don't use compost
to destroy it's result :-( huh?

Here's a story for you.  My neighbour has been composting since 1986, when
we moved here, but he does absolutely no gardening.  He blows my snow all
winter, I do his yard all summer. His composting is just a means to get rid
of kitchen garbage (like everybody else?).
     Anyway, last summer he shows me his "black gold" and I say "WOWwow?"
so I pot up a 25-pack of Johnny Jump Ups, which are coming up everywhere on
my yard; and which, he wanted coming up in his yard.  All plants, did not
take to his growing medium and perished.  Using straight peat moss however;
in potting same, they grow nicely. Neighbour hauled away his composted
garbage, because I did not want any more of it.
     Now.. Here's a tip for you Cindy?.. Every June, I ship a few thousand
hostas, directly to Nurseries.  They are potted in straight peat moss, with
a bit of perlite sprinkled on top for "make it look nice?". <g>
     Why peat moss?.. Cost!  It's cheap, plus it is light-weight, and holds
moisture very well.
     I will go out on a limb for you here Cindy?.. by saying "You are
better off to sow your seeds using straight peat moss!" than using that
garbage you call COMPOST -- anyone disagree...

:) Hmmm?
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