Grow bag problems- maybe?

eyeinthesky

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone has had a problem with J. Arthur Bower's growbags?

I had 2 homebase growbags already planted in my greenhouse, with 2 different varieties of cherry tomatoes. Both of these were from seed sown indoors, then planted on when large enough. I had also sown some Moneymaker tomato seeds, but they didn't grow at all, they were last years seeds.

I visited a garden centre, not my local one, and my wife had a voucher from a newspaper, which let me get a J.Arthur Bower growbag free. I then bought some moneymaker tomato plants from my local centre, and planted them. As soon as I cut the holes in the growbag, I noticed a strong smell of manure. I thought this was a good thing, and happily carried on. The smell lasted for several days, but otherwise all was well.

When I went to the greenhouse today my moneymaker plants are all dead. I don't understand why, the other plants are doing very well, and one variety is in flower. The growbags were all watered, and my greenhouse has shading and automatic vents.

Any ideas?

sobie

eyeinthesky wrote: »

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone has had a problem with J. Arthur Bower's growbags?

I had 2 homebase growbags already planted in my greenhouse, with 2 different varieties of cherry tomatoes. Both of these were from seed sown indoors, then planted on when large enough. I had also sown some Moneymaker tomato seeds, but they didn't grow at all, they were last years seeds.

I visited a garden centre, not my local one, and my wife had a voucher from a newspaper, which let me get a J.Arthur Bower growbag free. I then bought some moneymaker tomato plants from my local centre, and planted them. As soon as I cut the holes in the growbag, I noticed a strong smell of manure. I thought this was a good thing, and happily carried on. The smell lasted for several days, but otherwise all was well.

When I went to the greenhouse today my moneymaker plants are all dead. I don't understand why, the other plants are doing very well, and one variety is in flower. The growbags were all watered, and my greenhouse has shading and automatic vents.

Any ideas?

It sounds like it had been bagged without being matured (hense the smell) Bowers use a blend of green waste they call "sincroboost" and on rare occasions not quite matured waste may end up packaged for sale.

first thing to do is there will be a batch code printed on the bag. make a note of this number.

Go back to the shop you purchased it from. tell them your concerns and give them the batch code. They may still have the same pallet in stock, or another product with the same batch code, any smell will emminate from the bags, especially from still wrapped pallets as the black plastic seems to intensify the odor.

or you could just go straight to bowers on T +44 (0) 1522 537561, you'll probably be asked to send them a receipt. The Rep will visit the shop you purchased the growbags from to check any remaining stock.

In all likelyhood they'll refund you for the bags, and the plants, and more than likely a good will gesture too in the form of vouchers to buy any of their products.

They may recall the stock with the same batch codes from any other retailers across the country so its important to always let someone know when their is a problem. Or if the product with the same batch code is all sold through at least they'll have a record of a problem being encountered.

eyeinthesky

Thanks for your reply. I have phoned but had to just leave a message, not had a call back so far. Guess I'd better buy a new growbag and plants, but it won't be J Arthur Bower this time. Cheers,
Dave

A._Badger

eyeinthesky wrote: »

Thanks for your reply. I have phoned but had to just leave a message, not had a call back so far. Guess I'd better buy a new growbag and plants, but it won't be J Arthur Bower this time. Cheers,
Dave

I don't blame you. There was a time when Bowers multipurpose was one of the best soilless composts on the market (mind you, I'm talking of 20-30 years ago).

The last few samples I've seen have been atrocious. It's hard to believe their growing bags are any better.