SylvaGrow® John Innes Seed Compost (Peat-free)

Seed Sowing SylvaGrow John Innes Seed Compost is suitable for most seeds including the very fine such as Begonia or Impatiens. • Fill a seed tray evenly with SylvaGrow John Innes Seed Compost, 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 Seed Compost or vermiculite 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 Seed Compost 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 Seed Compost or 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 Seed Compost and make a suitable hole with a dibber or pencil. • For larger, coarser-stemmed cuttings blend up to one part potting grit with one part SylvaGrow John Innes Seed Compost. • 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.

Lime-hating, ericaceous plants SylvaGrow John Innes Seed Compost is not suitable for raising lime-hating, ericaceous plants. For these SylvaGrow Ericaceous is recommended.