Log 18-28 August 2008

[David Nicholson]

Hi Paul,

Could you tell me please if the JI compost you pictured is  of the new Genie range of 'eco' JI composts? This range does not seem to have got down here to the end of the known world yet.

Loved the pic of Watsonia pillansii- a lovely clear colour.

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi David,
The John Innes brand we use is "Green Ore" and comes from Wells in Somerset

Paul

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Paul, or anybody else,
Would green ore have a website ?
I'd like to find some addresses where it's sold - preferably in Kent - I'd like to take some with me on one of my channel hops 

Impossible to find any compost of that kind on the continent 

[David Nicholson]

Haven't been able to find a Web Site Luc. Green Ore is the name of a village near to Wells in Somerset. Wells is about an hour and a half drive for me. It is a lovely little Cathedral City but only the size of a small town, Maureen and I often go there on our Wednesday jaunts.


Paul, if you get time would you be good enough to PM me the address and/or phone number of the manufacturer and then I will look into it further, good JI compost is now very difficult to find in garden centres.

Pic of Wells Cathedral below.

[Paul Cumbleton]

As David reports, no website, but their phone number is 01761 241378

Paul

[afw]

Hi Paul,

Could you tell me please if the JI compost you pictured is  of the new Genie range of 'eco' JI composts? This range does not seem to have got down here to the end of the known world yet.

Loved the pic of Watsonia pillansii- a lovely clear colour.

David,

The Genie range is available from wigglywigglers.co.uk.  but I'm sure you know this already!

Alan

[Gerry Webster]

"Green Ore" John Innes used to be available to amateurs  from Avon Crop Ltd. which has trade counters at Boston, Lincs. & Bracknell, Berks.  I don't know whether it still is since their main website is currently unavailable.

[David Nicholson]

As David reports, no website, but their phone number is 01761 241378

Paul

Paul, many thanks for phone number. I will give them a ring next week and check out general availability. I will report back accordingly on this thread if you don't mind.

[David Nicholson]

Hi Paul,

Could you tell me please if the JI compost you pictured is  of the new Genie range of 'eco' JI composts? This range does not seem to have got down here to the end of the known world yet.

Loved the pic of Watsonia pillansii- a lovely clear colour.

David,

The Genie range is available from wigglywigglers.co.uk.  but I'm sure you know this already!

Alan

Alan, thanks for that-but at £4.00 for a 33 ltr. bag plus £3.75 for delivery I don't think I shall bother!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks David and Paul - I'll be keeping an eye on this thread. 

[David Nicholson]

Sorry I forgot to report back on my further enquiries about Green Ore Compost. I contacted the manufacturer, F A Smith, and asked about availability and it seems that they have few retail outlets outside the general area of Wells in Somerset. They do seem to rely on bulk customers such as Wisley. They gave me details on how to find their works and would be happy to supply me if I called in. This I shall do when next our Wednesday jaunts take us to Wells. The lady in the kitchen has just said 'if it smells it's not coming back in the car with me' Oh yes it is!!

By the way I hope the Seramis users out there have had a look at Paul Cumbleton's current log.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Thanks for trying David !
Doesn't look I'll be able to get some though...    Pitty, it looks super stuff. 

[David Nicholson]

Luc, I shall try a couple of bags to start with and then compare it with the brand of John Innes I currently use in my jam jar test. I put a small handfull of compost in an old jam jar, fill it with water, give it a good shake up, and leave it for a couple of hours. In this time the loam content in the compost will sink to the bottom of the jar and the humous content will be left floating. It's surprising how little loam there is in some brands of John Innes compost!! Provided that it passes my test, which it is sure to do if it is used at Wisley, I will then buy more.

[Brian Ellis]

I put a small handfull of compost in an old jam jar, fill it with water, give it a good shake up, and leave it for a couple of hours.

Memories of school labs David!

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Provided that it passes my test, which it is sure to do if it is used at Wisley, I will then buy more.

Buy an extra bag for me David - put a stamp on it - you have my address....