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Lancashire, United Kingdom Gb

Should I use "with peat" or "peat free" compost when re-planting Primroses now?? What are the general rules when choosing Compost for all types of plants or flowers?? So often I don't seem to use the right one.
Cheers, royboy




Answers

 

Odd time of year to be repotting your primroses Roy as they should just be coming into flower. They certainly don't need a peat based compost in any case.

18 Feb, 2015

 

General rules - multi purpose potting compost for most things will be perfectly adequate - whether you choose one with peat or without peat. For acid loving plants like rhododendrons in pots, use ericaceous compost. For large pots with larger shrubs in that don't require acidic conditions, its best to use John Innes No. 2 or 3. John Innes No. 1 is for seed and cuttings, and you can also buy seed and cutting compost that isn't made to the JI formula. John Innes composts are loam based, making a much heavier mix when wet, so if you've got large pots you want to move around easily, mix JI with multi purpose to lighten them a bit.

A word about peat free composts though - you'd probably have to try several brands before finding one that wasn't full of lumps and rubbish and needed riddling before use. It's not politically correct to say this, but I'm going to anyway - composts containing peat are definitely better. Failing that, use John Innes wherever possible.

18 Feb, 2015

 

The two main reasons I use peat free are, the decimation of peat bogs and the fact that weevil grubs don't breed in it like they do in peat based compost.

18 Feb, 2015

 

Yeah Cammomile

18 Feb, 2015

 

Hi, I have to agree with Bamboo on this, it seems you just can't get a decent peat free compost, without it costing a fortune, give me peat based or JI every time, Derek.

19 Feb, 2015

 

Then go JI Derek...

19 Feb, 2015

 

Thanks each and all. I guess it's up to me which choice I take, there seems to be contrasting opinions on the solution to this question.
Cheers, RoyBoy.

20 Feb, 2015

 

Thanks each and all. I guess it's up to me which choice I take, there seems to be contrasting opinions on the solution to this question.
Cheers, RoyBoy

20 Feb, 2015

 

I was so busy outlining the different composts available for different purposes, I forgot to say your primroses should be fine in ordinary multi purpose compost, peat free or otherwise.

20 Feb, 2015

 

Thanks Bamboo.

21 Feb, 2015

How do I say thanks?

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