When do you use john innes no 1

I seen a bag of john innes no 1 and I was wondering when this would be used as one of my phyllostachys nigra seeds have started to germinate so I don't know if to pot it in seed and cutting compost or buy a bag of john innes no 1.

 

John innes no1 is used for potting up seedlings that are ready for pricking out and cuttings etc, it gives them more nutrients but not enough to over feed them, I'm not sure if it would be better mixed with a little extra perlite for good drainage as I've never grown bamboo from seed.

 

Must admit I've never used JI seed, no 1 or no2, only every buy no3.

I usually mix it with sharp sand or grit or multipurpose.

I know the thinking behind it but it seems a bit much for amateur growers and just another way of getting you to buy different products.

I'd never use it on its own anyway, usually turns to mud once you water it.

 

I've bought a bag of john innes no 1 to try but should I add something to help drainage. I have john innes no 3 but it holds to much water so how much sharp sand / grit / multipurpose do you use and what grit do you use as the only grit I have is for a fish tank or chickens but I didn't know if this would be ok.

 

Well I add sharp sand, but any grit helps, best if its a bit sharp, probably need finer stuff for seedlings, I think a small amount say 25% of a peat product helps to aerate the compost.
Just find most JI to be claggy when wet.

The reason I use No 3 is because it contains the highest nutrient level, but because I'm adding other stuff, that has pretty much no nutrient, it kind of dilutes the fertilizer effect.

If you have No1 then fine, it will work.
Nothing about growing plants is an exact science, well it can be, but to you and me its probably not and best not to worry too much, most plants are pretty resilient.

 

I've read bamboo needs aerated and well drained soil but the seed and cutting compost i'm using holds the water which I think is down to the added vermiculite. John innes no 1 also has added vermiculite so it maybe best to add perlite or some other grit.

 

I used J1 earlier this year to pot on 300 seedlings.... and used it pure. Definitely needs something to help with drainage. I won't be making that mistake again.

 

If you was to use it again what would you use to help drainage.

 

perlite

 

I was disappointed with my bag of J1.
As mentioned it soon turns to rock like mud.
I just use it now added to cacti compost for my cacti's, and to get shot of it.
I've always had good results with multi purpose compost for seedlings.

 

What we need to remember here is, John Innes Compost is a a compost formula that was created over 100 years ago. By putting John Innes Compost on the packaging then the mixture should be to that ratio or a least very similar.

Where ever you look on the internet, they all give the same ingredients for John Innes Compost.

So if you look at how you should make John Innes No2 & No3 they say to use the following method.

7 Parts Loam
3 Parts Peat
2 Parts Sharp Sand
Plus Fert & lime.

So for starters we have 12 parts of 3 different ingredients, that's not how we make compost nowadays. We still use parts, but with a combined total of 10 parts.

Me personally, the John Innes Compost mix is outdated and needs modified. Ideally, for a John Innes No3 Compost, I would make it something like below.

3 Parts Loam
5 Parts Peat
2 Parts Horticultural Grit
Plus Fert & Lime

With a John Innes Compost Seed & No1, then use washed sharp sand instead of grit.