Gardening Which Compost Trials 07

[oldtimer1]

Here is the results chart.

There are some interesting comments on varibility of compost, their words:-

You could be forgiven for assuming that one bag of compost would be the same quality as any other bag of the same brand. But, in fact, this is not always the case.

We found dramatic differences in plant growth between bags of the same compost bought from different parts ofthe UK. Our previous trials have shown us that this bag-to-bag variability can be a particular issue with peat-free compost and this year's results tell a similar story.

Homebase Peat Free Multi Purpose, Miracle Gro Eco Sense Peat-Free and B&Q Peat-Free Multipurpose all showed significant variation between bags of the same brand.

Variability was also a problem with the B&Q growing bag, which is peat-based. It scored well in our tests overall but we are unable to recommend it because of its variable performance. This is a shame because grow bags are generally lighter and therefore a more manageable alternative to the larger compost bags.

Variability between bags of compost was clear to see in the section of our trial involving growing on young plants. Each pot contains compost from four different bags of Homebase Peat Free Multi Purpose compost.

Also info about a new type of compost that is comeing:-

[Arnold Layne]

Thankls OT1, a valuable resource indeed.

[Guest]

cheers for this OT1

[Billowin'smoke]

Always like it when this pops up - cheers

[Guest dr rockster]

Thanks for that OT1.

But look at that pic with the 4 plants!

That much variability is scary!

[obscure_shadow]

not really.. you can tell how well a compost is going to do by how it smells and it's consistancy really... that is unless this stuff has chemical ferts added ?

[Guest scarfaceshady]

thanks ot1 very handy indeed

scarface

[compostverte]

Thanks ot1,

how did you get on with the Westlands hanging basket compost in the end ?

I'm planning to try it for the later pottings-on this time ....

[oldtimer1]

Thanks ot1,

how did you get on with the Westlands hanging basket compost in the end ?

I'm planning to try it for the later pottings-on this time ....

I like it the best of all the Westlands compost mixes, all have done well for me except the peat free, that was total cack, the bud produced was good so were yields and it smoked very well.

Because it has water retaining crystals, it suits me very well, if I absolute saturate the pots so the capillary matting is soaked as well I can go away for 8 days at a time with no problem, thats with full sized plants in full flower. I think 6 or 7 days will still be manageable in full summer. For normal watering/feeding I water less at a time, ie round every four or five days. The only amendments I make to the compost are adding a little rock dust and an inoculant. B)

[buddly]

Invaluable info

Nice one OT

[compostverte]

I like it the best of all the Westlands compost mixes, all have done well for me except the peat free, that was total cack, the bud produced was good so were yields and it smoked very well.

Because it has water retaining crystals, it suits me very well, if I absolute saturate the pots so the capillary matting is soaked as well I can go away for 8 days at a time with no problem, thats with full sized plants in full flower. I think 6 or 7 days will still be manageable in full summer. For normal watering/feeding I water less at a time, ie round every four or five days. The only amendments I make to the compost are adding a little rock dust and an inoculant. B)

Excellent

thanks..

Edited January 19, 2007 by compostverte

[Trippy D]

Cheers ot1. Like everyone has invaluable information.

[johnyblaze]

Thanks for posting this years results mate. quite some difference between those bags off peat free , i m amazed there could be such variation in performance from the same brands.

[SIS]

for my grow , ive decided to for westland multi puprose with added j/i , ive seen many a post on here saying its the dogs. so i poped along to my local gc and fpund they stocked quite in intence range of westlands. anyway i got the one i wanted and potted up my babies today. i yer i forgot to say i added a 3/1 ratio of perlite to it too,. just watered with plain tap water . lets see how the next few days go

[Bish]

for my grow , ive decided to for westland multi puprose with added j/i , ive seen many a post on here saying its the dogs. so i poped along to my local gc and fpund they stocked quite in intence range of westlands. anyway i got the one i wanted and potted up my babies today. i yer i forgot to say i added a 3/1 ratio of perlite to it too,. just watered with plain tap water . lets see how the next few days go

Westland seem to have changed their formula. You can read all about it here.

Also you say you've added a ratio of 3/1 perlite. This will cause you no end of problems imo - there really is no need to add that much perlite, if at all.

Is there a tiny amount of perlite in the compost you've got? If so it's the older batch. If not it will be the new formula which peeps have been having a few probs with.