John Innes compost replacements

[Paul D]

I've had a reply from Melcourt, and they say it is 2/3 bark and 1/3 coir. But they also do a product which is 100% composted bark fines, without the added feriliser. I have ordered a bag to look at.

Your sacrifices won't be forgotten!

Any chances for a quick look at the draft of the article?

I'll send you a pm Mat. I keep adding to the article as I get new information.

[habanerocat]

Are worm casts suitable for a cactus mix?

Hard to get info on it. I have read that the PH is about neutral but very little else. I suppose it depends on what the worms have eaten.

[edds]

Are worm casts suitable for a cactus mix?

How do you get enough to make it a useful ingredient? Can you buy large quantities?

[SimonT]

I made up a peat-free mix a few weeks ago and kept it outside it a sealed container (with the rest of my composts). When I opened the container it had quite a few small flies- presumably fungus gnats buzzing around in the container. Obviously I've not used this batch for planting. But this is a concern- it has not happened with other compost mixes I've made. I don't mind these flies outside but I keep them out of my growing areas. Letting composts dry between watering is a deterrent but it might not be enough. I see this problem has been highlighted now for peat-free composts used for indoor plants widely in the media but I don't see an easy solution- apart from reducing the organic components of the compost.

Is there a fix for this?

[edds]

Is there a fix for this?

I have found the fungus gnat nematodes to be very effective. Maybe treat the whole batch after mixing up a large quantity?

[el48tel]

Diatomaceous Earth!

[MatDz]

I made up a peat-free mix a few weeks ago and kept it outside it a sealed container (with the rest of my composts). When I opened the container it had quite a few small flies- presumably fungus gnats buzzing around in the container.

Did you use SylvaGrow Ericaceous mix by any chance?

[SimonT]

Hi
I was using the Sylvagrow peat free John Innes II as a base to which I added some extra 'mineral' components.
I guess this one batch of compost could have been contaminated by chance- but my other composts are always been fly-free.

Thanks for the suggestions about nematodes and diatomaceous earth. I was considering cooking the compost to kill any flies before trying it in pots. But then worried if I used it then it would still be attractive to new flies that might come in from outside and the problem could begin again. So having options to guard against this is very useful.

I have to say I've used many different 'ecological methods' for growing plants outside for a long time. But for growing inside I generally follow the 'wipe them out' approach to pest control!

[habanerocat]

Are worm casts suitable for a cactus mix?

How do you get enough to make it a useful ingredient? Can you buy large quantities?

I was chatting to the girl in the garden centre and asked her had they any compost that isn't full of sticks and stones. She recommended this green one on the left.

https://livinggreen.ie/index.php?route= ... ry&path=69

Not much info as to what is actually in it unfortunately.

[el48tel]

Looks like it is available from Amazon.
And .....
You can get bags of wombats there too