Loam is the most important ingredient in the compost as it is the main constituent of the compost giving the compost its main bulk.It also forms the base of plant nutrition by supplying clay, which has a cation and anion exchange capacity,that is,it absorbs and releases plant nutrients as required.Loam also contains essential micro elements and varying quantities of organic matter,which provides a slow release of nitrogen to the plant. Lime-free grit sand is included to allow excess water to drain from the compost and so prevent water-logging. It also adds weight and provides stability for pot grown plants Peat-free John Innes composts may be made by replacing the peat in the recipe with a substitute such as wood fibre, coir, or bark. [6] These substitutes tend to be less acidic than peat, so a smaller quantity of ground limestone is used to balance the pH level. [4] Cutting mix [ edit ] Loam is soil composed of sand,silt and clay and organic material in roughly even proportions,at a ratio of around about 40, 40 and 20%,respectively.It is porous,which allows for good air circulation but is also retentive of moisture.

Loam is the most important ingredient as it provides a natural reservoir of plant foods, trace elements and contains some organic matter which releases nitrogen slowly to the plant. The loam in J. Arthur Bower’s John Innes is screened and sterilised to avoid any soil-borne diseases and insects.

John Innes is not a manufacturer of compost, they are a range of composts developed at the John Innes Institute, named after The compound fertiliser in John Innes Compost provides a wide spectrum of plant nutrients needed for balanced growth, including Typical orchid composts, suitable for popular orchid species such as Phalaenopsis or Cymbidium, contain a mix of bark chips, peat moss and perlite. The organic compounds in these composts gradually decay so it is recommended that you re-pot orchids with fresh compost every one or two years, depending on the growth of the plant. Carnivorous plants compost

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The potting mixes are used to grow different types of plants depending on their nutrient requirements. [1] If you’re looking for a general purpose houseplant compost that is suitable for many indoor plants you are most likely to choose this type of growing media. This type of houseplant compost is typically known as a multi-purpose compost or indoor potting mix. Mexican Pinguicula can tolerate various mixes, but I find they do well in a coarse compost of grit, sharp sand, perlite, baked clay and sphagnum moss peat; during winter allow the compost to dry out and treat them like succulents. The number of terms used when discussing houseplant compost can be a little confusing at first. So if you’re not sure how to choose the right compost for your plants, this article will guide you towards to the best choice for your houseplants. Credit: image by annrkiszt is licensed under CC BY 2.0 A. John Innes No 2 will be perfect for potting on seedlings and young plants and for re-potting houseplants, you could also consider using our Westland Houseplant potting mix

for general potting of most house plants and vegetable plants into medium size pots or boxes. Contains double Unite the planting with potfuls of upright chives randomly used throughout - then your container will satisfy the palate and look stylish. The institution made the formulae generally available, but never manufactured the composts for sale nor benefited financially from their production. [3] Original formulae [ edit ]Both the loam and the peat used for John Innes Compost mixes should be able to pass through a 9 mm sieve. 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. The sand element added to John Innes Composts is used as a physical conditioner to allow excess water to drain from the compost and thus prevent waterlogging.It also helps to provide stability for larger plants.Clean,lime free sand of a particle range from 0.063 mm through to 5mm,coarse sand is the standard used in the compost manufacturing industry. Cacti and succulent compost contains a blend of inorganic compounds such as sand, grit or pumice, together with organic matter such as peat, loam or coir. Inorganic compounds improve drainage and aeration, while organic matter retains moisture and provides nutrients. Water regularly for the first month until the plants are established, then cut down on the watering.

This mix contains double the amount of nutrient in John Innes No 1 to suit established plants. It is suitablefor most houseplants and vegetable plants in containers. A. J. Arthur Bower’s John Innes No 1 Young Plant Compost does not contain any organic elements so shouldn’t be attractive to animals. plant nutrition by supplying clay, which has a cation and anion exchange capacity, that is, it absorbs and releases plant nutrients A. J. Arthur Bower’s John Innes Young Plant Compost is perfect for potting on seedlings and young plants, for any other job choose a Multi-Purpose compost or one that is specific to your requirements—for example Houseplant potting mix.

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Bonsai compost is specially formulated for the long-term health of deciduous or coniferous bonsai trees. The structure needs to be free-draining so that excess moisture drains away after watering and prevents root decay. On the other hand, the compost must be able to retain moisture and release it to the root system between waterings. As an alternative to using the original seedling mix, a special mix is sometimes used to root cuttings. The mix contains no added fertiliser or amendments, only the soil component: