Westland Cactus soil

[ralphrmartin]

While this compost might not be good, I use Westland's Ericaceous JI Compost, coir and granite grit in equal quantities as my compost, which works pretty well for most succulents.

[ragamala]

Ragamala: Topsy and I are talking about Clover John Innes composts, I don't think that either of us would contemplate growing our mesembs in peat. Having said that, the Clover multipurpose is one of the best around for growing your streptocarpus, filling your hanging basket, etc. Brighton Branch actually buys in pallets of Clover JI for its members and I get mine from the local allotment society. Speak nicely to your local allotment trading group and they might be persuaded to stock Clover.

What I don't know is what will happen next year? 2020 is supposed to be the government cut-off date for amateurs using peat-containing composts, although the pros can continue for another ten years. One suggestions that I have heard is to put a tax on peat composts a bit like the sugar tax!

Thanks for that, Terry, it is good to be clear about these things (I know you have shared information on this before).

Regarding the "cut-off" date, I do not believe for a minute that the government will implement a ban on peat-based compost for amateur use next year. The UK government has a track record of making statements about "targets"on environmental issues, but with no following law or regulation to implement those targets. If effective action is taken it will be by Ireland through EU demands and its own concern about Irish peat bog depletion. Out of the EU I suspect the UK government will not have peat bog protection, either UK or Irish, at the top of its priorities. Brexit may have more effect on the availability or price of products such as Erin and Clover peat-based compost than regulation. Or Clover JI, for that matter.

We have also, of course, to return to the oft-quoted statement that the JI formula includes peat.....

A thorny problem. adding to the current and historic difficulty of obtaining even a decent JI formulation.

[Smel]

Hi,
Last year I got some JI from B&Q it was a good 60% sand and no sign of any Humus, not even suitable for Cacti or succs! Think I will have to rethink the compost situation and go soiless or cat litter, etc. HELP!

Thanks

Mel.

[MikeT]

Last year I got some JI from B&Q it was a good 60% sand and no sign of any Humus

I used Verve (B & Q's own brand) JI for a while, seemed reasonable, but then as you say the sand content was very high; plastic and lumps of wood at a higher level than the original JI formula. I changed to Westland, and the batch I currently have is OK -occasional bit of wood but little plastic. Comments from others make me doubtful about buying Westland again next time. It's a pity that brands that are OK at one time then deteriorate - presumably to cut costs and therefore improve profit