SylvaGrow® John Innes No.1 (Peat-free) Young Plant Compost

Seed Sowing SylvaGrow John Innes No.1 is suitable for all but the very finest seeds such as Begonia or Impatiens. For these, use SylvaGrow John Innes Seed Compost. • Fill a seed tray evenly with SylvaGrow John Innes No.1, tapping gently to settle and firm. • Lightly water with a fine rose. • Sow the seeds carefully, according to the packet instructions, cover with more SylvaGrow John Innes No.1 to the depth directed • Cover the seed tray with glass or polythene and put in a warm place out of direct sunlight. • Remove the cover as soon as the seeds have germinated and ensure that the SylvaGrow John Innes No.1 is kept evenly moist at all times. • Prick out as soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle.

Pricking Out • When the seedlings are large enough to handle, gently tease them out of the growing medium using a dibber or pencil, taking care to handle only by the leaves. • Fill a suitable pot with fresh SylvaGrow John Innes No.1, use a dibber to make a hole and place the seedling in it, tapping the pot to settle the mix around the roots. • Water gently but thoroughly. • After 3–5 weeks, regularly apply a liquid feed, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, at the time of pricking out, incorporate slow-release fertilizer granules according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cuttings • Ensure that the mother plant is well-watered before taking cuttings. • Fill a deep seed tray or pot with SylvaGrow John Innes No.1 and make a suitable hole with a dibber or pencil. • Prepare the stem or root cuttings according to type, ensuring that they are not allowed to dry out between cutting and inserting. Dip in hormone rooting powder/liquid if using. • Insert the cutting and gently firm the medium around it. • Stem cuttings need to be in a moist environment out of direct sunlight until they have rooted so either place in a cold frame, a covered propagator or cover with polythene, using supports to prevent the polythene from touching the cuttings. Root cuttings can be placed in a cold frame or sheltered spot out of direct sunlight and can benefit from a thin layer of grit on the growing medium surface. • Once the cuttings are well-rooted they can be potted on according to the instructions above.

Potting on young plants and vegetable transplants • First, ensure that the plant to be potted on has been well-watered. If it is dry, immerse the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour. • Fill the pot with SylvaGrow John Innes No.1. • Make a hole large enough to accommodate the item to be potted and insert, taking care that the growing medium is at about the same height on the stem as previously. • Gently firm the SylvaGrow John Innes No.1 around the plant, water thoroughly. • Ensure that the SylvaGrow John Innes No.1 is kept moist but not over-wet, at all times. • After 3–5 weeks, regularly apply a liquid feed, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, at the time of potting incorporate slow-release fertilizer granules according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Lime-hating, ericaceous plants SylvaGrow John Innes No.1 is not suitable for raising lime-hating, ericaceous plants in containers. For these SylvaGrow Ericaceous is recommended.