|
 | | 
15-03-2008, 09:37 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Sterilizing compost
I got some potting compost recently from B&Q, put it in the seed trays and inserted the seeds, now after one day there is a white film on top of the soil, which i`m assuming is some kind fungal growth. And i also suppose its killed my seeds off.
I heard via the Internet that you can sterilize the compost if you place it into the microwave for a certain length of time, is this true ?, and if so, how long ?.
This has made me so angry as its put me back a week (grrr)  ... |
15-03-2008, 09:50 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 366
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Quote:
Originally Posted by Action_Man  I got some potting compost recently from B&Q, put it in the seed trays and inserted the seeds, now after one day there is a white film on top of the soil, which i`m assuming is some kind fungal growth. And i also suppose its killed my seeds off.
I heard via the Internet that you can sterilize the compost if you place it into the microwave for a certain length of time, is this true ?, and if so, how long ?.
This has made me so angry as its put me back a week (grrr) ... | There's no reason to suppose your seeds have been killed, in fact quite the opposite. For many seeds the breaking/softening of the hard outer shell is quite naturally accompanied by microbial activity. Do remember that apart from a very few plants which germinate after fire, germination in sterile soil does not happen in nature.
What the scale of microbial growth you report does suggest is that your seed trays have been in an inadequately ventilated space, try opening up whatever containers you are using, for a few hours each day.
CM  |
15-03-2008, 10:04 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Yes i noticed when i removed the cover that the growth decreased quite significantly, i`ll leave them a few days more to see if they germinate.
As a general rule, how long do seeds take before they sprout ? . The plants i`m trying to grow are Sweat pea`s. As you may tell, i`m new to this gardening lark  ... |
15-03-2008, 10:22 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lincoln
Posts: 454
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Buy a tin of Cheshunt compound and follow the instructions for mixing then water your compost. Simple and 100% effective. No damping off whatsoever.
With sweet peas if you soak them overnight they germinate very fast.
Have patience - it's not a race. Enjoy!
Colin |
15-03-2008, 10:23 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: march, cambridgeshire
Posts: 2,176
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
sweet peas take quite a while to germinate as their a large seed,but once they have started they grow quick,did you soak your seeds for 24hours this dose help. |
15-03-2008, 10:26 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Yes i soaked them overnight, most swelled up, but a few dident, so maybe there not viable, but i planted them anyway.
I know its not a race but i have planted all/most of my seeds in this compost, and if they dont germinate i`ll be down to B&Q asking for compensation  ... |
15-03-2008, 10:35 PM
| | Frozen | | Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: march, cambridgeshire
Posts: 2,176
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
I have had their compost befor normally very good,strange that,have you got them in a greenhouse,if so this time of year you do tend to get a bit of mildew if its all closed up,try opening a window to serculate the air. |
15-03-2008, 10:35 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kirk Michael, Isle of Man.
Posts: 1,205
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Depending on how warm you are keeping the seeds they should germinate in 7-10 days. The darker and harder the seed coat the longer they will take. Keep them well ventilated and they should be fine.
Hope that helps
Barbara |
15-03-2008, 10:41 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Ah so maybe ten days or so, they dident take that long in jack and the beanstalk .
I have them in my kitchen, in one of those mini propagators, so i have removed the cover and given them a little light light ... |
15-03-2008, 10:54 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kirk Michael, Isle of Man.
Posts: 1,205
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
naaahh sweet peas ain't magic beans mate!
seriously though it sounds like you'll do ok now. The surface fungus will probably die off before it gets a chance to do any damage. Just keep them warm for now they don't even need light yet!
Barbara |
16-03-2008, 04:17 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,140
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Quote:
Originally Posted by Action_Man Ah so maybe ten days or so, they dident take that long in jack and the beanstalk .
I have them in my kitchen, in one of those mini propagators, so i have removed the cover and given them a little light light ... | Not got any cows you want to trade? |
16-03-2008, 04:25 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 4,828
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
I have a weird yellow jelly like fungus on the surface of my peat free compost but the seeds have germinated through it and its worth bearing in mind that can easily benefit from the presence of some fungi as they help a plant take up nutriants. Some orchids for example need a certain fungus to thrive or even germinate |
16-03-2008, 04:32 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northants
Posts: 4,755
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gill Catton I have a weird yellow jelly like fungus on the surface of my peat free compost but the seeds have germinated through it and its worth bearing in mind that can easily benefit from the presence of some fungi as they help a plant take up nutriants. Some orchids for example need a certain fungus to thrive or even germinate | When I planted my hawthorn the garden centre sold us some fungi to sprinkle on the roots to establish the plants and feed the roots... |
16-03-2008, 04:38 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Little village called Chedworth
Posts: 4,828
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kayleigh When I planted my hawthorn the garden centre sold us some fungi to sprinkle on the roots to establish the plants and feed the roots... | yes apparently sometime if you plant trees and just bung in a load of pland feed at the same time it can actually cause problems for the fungus in the soil which can ultimatly affect the sucessful growth of the tree. |
16-03-2008, 07:00 PM
| | Member of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 366
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seajay Buy a tin of Cheshunt compound and follow the instructions for mixing then water your compost. Simple and 100% effective. No damping off whatsoever. With sweet peas if you soak them overnight they germinate very fast.Have patience - it's not a race. Enjoy! Colin | Yes Cheshunt compound is relatively innocuous - a copper based product. It's well to remember though that 'damping off' is the result of overwatering/underheating/poor ventilation; get the conditions right and there's not usually a need, except with a few very suscetible plants to use an antifungable.
Also the 'white mats' that Action Man described are unlikely to be the fungal species that cause 'damping off'.
CM |
16-03-2008, 09:48 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
This is what it looks like, its similar to what you may see on an over-ripe strawberry ...  |
17-03-2008, 07:11 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 658
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
In this month's Which Gardening magazine B&Q John Innes No. 3 compost is rated as the top performer in their trials. But there are always rogue bags. a couple of suggestions: Were the containers that you used biologically clean? Mould spores can survive on dirty pots.
Don't soak the compost, it should be damp not saturated. I usually spread a thin layer of Perlite over the surface, which I think helps to control mould. Keep in a well ventilated atmosphere. When the compost surface dries you may be able to gently scrape off any mould.
You said you are growing sweet peas in trays but as they develop deep roots it is usual to grow them in deep pots. I use polystryene drinking containers; some people prefer the cardboard centres of kitchen rolls which can be planted straight into the garden.
Cheshunt Compound will help to control fungus particularly damping off disease but it can also prevent some seeds from germinating so it is better to wait until the seeds have germinated before application. It is best to water from underneath if you get problems. Stand your pots in a bowl of water, with or without Cheshunt Compound, and leave to soak but not saturate; then let them drain any excess water.
Sweet peas can take a while to germinate but if you are unsure as to whether they are rotting try to gently uncover one to see what is happening. If you do damage it it is just one seed that you will have lost and at least you will know what is happening. |
17-03-2008, 08:10 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
I tried looking for one or two of the pea seeds, but couldent find one, maybe they have rotted away.
The seed-trays were new and came from the same source, i dident add any additional water to the compost as it was already saturated, they probably had it outside in the yard, soaking up the rain water ! ... |
17-03-2008, 08:19 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northants
Posts: 4,755
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Quote:
Originally Posted by Action_Man I tried looking for one or two of the pea seeds, but couldent find one, maybe they have rotted away.
The seed-trays were new and came from the same source, i dident add any additional water to the compost as it was already saturated, they probably had it outside in the yard, soaking up the rain water ! ... | I tried to grow French beans the same happened to me. They were too wet, I dug them up and they had just rotted away..  |
18-03-2008, 08:59 AM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
I seeded some swan river daisies at the same time and they have miraculously popped there heads up today, so the compost seems to be working for them ok ... |
18-03-2008, 08:29 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 658
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Try again. Plenty of time left. If the compost is already saturated don't soak the peas and let the compost get plenty of ventilatation. It's getting warmer all the time so they may grow better now. Sow individually in 2 or 3 inch pots so you don't have to disturb the plants until transplanting time and they will be fine.
If you can find it John Innes No. 1 compost is best for seed sowing (less nutrients) but most places only stock multipurpose compost now. |
18-03-2008, 08:46 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 658
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
ps. By 2/3 inch pots I mean 2 or 3 ins across and at least 4 inches deep so the roots have space to go downwards. Place the seeds about 1/2 inch deep. |
28-03-2008, 05:55 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Most of the pea`s have developed now, and there about 3" high in trays. Shall i transplant them into pots now and give them some support, or shall i wait until some leaves appear ? ... |
28-03-2008, 06:24 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Kirk Michael, Isle of Man.
Posts: 1,205
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
Glad to hear they've started. Don't transplant as you may damage the root. Wait a week or so then it might be possible. Next time sow them in yogurt pots or even better in pot noodle tubs 3 to a pot.
As soon as you see the development of the first set of leaves pinch out the growing tip and let them make side shoots. Unlike the edible pea sweet peas grow and flower better on side shoots.
Prepare your growing area now if possible dig it deep and bury some newspapers folded is ideal. These will act as a reservoir as sweet peas do not like to dry out.
Hope that helps for now.
Barbara |
28-03-2008, 08:08 PM
| | Officer of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Lancashire
Posts: 733
| | | Re: Sterilizing compost
I`ll do that when the time comes, so about another week, thanks for the help and information, just one query, do add support when i transplant them outside ? ... | | | |
| Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | |
|
