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Julie W starts with ... I bought two bags of organic compost and one of cow manure at Bunnings a couple of weeks ago. When I opened the yesterday they are all a grey, 'ashy looking' colour. Are they OK to use, or should I take them back! BTW, I can't for the life of me understand the distinction between 'organic' compost and garden compost, both produced by the same company! | About the Author Julie Roleystone WA 20th August 2014 1:56pm #UserID: 182 Posts: 103 View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees |
symiot says... Without a photo, I presume you mean the compost is dry? If it has lost all moisture, I would take it back. If there is some mould, personally it wouldn't bother me and mushroom compost for example may still have a grey look to it sometimes. In regards to 'organic', the non-organic compost may have had things added which themselves were not organically grown or may even contain man-made fertilisers etc. For all we know, it's exactly the same stuff and I think the consumer gets taken for a ride with the organic craze. | About the Author symiot SYDNEY,2000,NSW 20th August 2014 4:39pm #UserID: 9796 Posts: 37 View All symiot's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Original Post was last edited: 20th August 2014 4:38pm | |
MaryT1 says... Julie I think you might be referring to the fungi ? That would be quite normal; they decomposes the organic matter. When you say they are ALL grey do you mean just the surface or the whole bag? That would be unusual to have a totally grey soil. Mind you my friend in WA told me when she visited that your potting mixes look totally different to ours here. | About the Author MaryT1 Sydney 20th August 2014 5:59pm #UserID: 7655 Posts: 296 View All MaryT1's Edible Fruit Trees |
Julie W says... Mary,I meant all the bags. Actually, the manure is probably OK, it's mostly on the surface, but the compost is grey all through.It is the colour of wood ash, and I've never seen this before. I have been making compost for nearly 30 years, so I'm pretty familiar with what to expect, but this is new to me. | About the Author Julie Roleystone WA 20th August 2014 7:04pm #UserID: 182 Posts: 103 View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees |
| About the Author MaryT1 Sydney 21st August 2014 5:16am #UserID: 7655 Posts: 296 View All MaryT1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author symiot SYDNEY,2000,NSW 21st August 2014 11:14am #UserID: 9796 Posts: 37 View All symiot's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Brain says... I have read that in a hot composting process, the compost can have a bateria that have a grey weave like a fungus. Probably similar to what you are describing. However no first hand experience as i am still trying to get hot compost happening. Best i have ever done is luke warm composting. Anyway, compost is full of microbs but if in doubt, best to call and check. | About the Author Brain Brisbane 21st August 2014 12:55pm #UserID: 6289 Posts: 638 View All Brain's Edible Fruit Trees |
| About the Author sternus1 Australia 21st August 2014 2:13pm #UserID: 8314 Posts: 1318 View All sternus1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author Jason Portland 21st August 2014 5:35pm #UserID: 637 Posts: 1217 View All Jason's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author denise1 auckland NZ 22nd August 2014 7:10am #UserID: 6832 Posts: 688 View All denise1's Edible Fruit Trees |
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Julie W says... I have been growing kale sprouts this winter, to add to salads. Started some more the other day, using some of the mouldy compost. Seeds have sprouted, no probs. When wet, it has a distinct ammonia smell. Wonder what this means? BTW, I see there is a world-wide shortage of kale seed! I keep my Chou mollier going just for seed - it's on its third season now, with practically no attention apart from some summer water. | About the Author Julie Roleystone WA 22nd August 2014 7:46pm #UserID: 182 Posts: 103 View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees |
jakfruit etiquette says... The mould sounds like active microbes, prob. fungi or actinomycetes. The product prob. wasnt aged enough before bagging or reactivated by being stacked on a pallet so heat+moistire built up in the bags and it fired up again. Potting compost should have some structure ie pine chips to maintain drainage+aeration in pots. Composts should be finer to readily release nutrients. You should be wary of very active microbes, wear gloves+dust mask. You could age, dry out or solarise the over active product. | About the Author jakfruit etiquette vic 23rd August 2014 11:34am #UserID: 5133 Posts: 915 View All jakfruit etiquette's Edible Fruit Trees |
| About the Author Brain Brisbane 23rd August 2014 8:53pm #UserID: 6289 Posts: 638 View All Brain's Edible Fruit Trees |
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| About the Author Julie Roleystone WA 24th August 2014 10:31am #UserID: 182 Posts: 103 View All Julie's Edible Fruit Trees |
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