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Growing from Seed

Peat Moss and Top Soil?

14 years ago

Hi I'm a first time seed grower and I have a few questions after sifting through these forums and FAQ's

Basically, I have about 30 packets of seeds, I've tried planting 2 which have already failed. So what I'm doing now is picking one, germinating it until I'm sure, and then starting a new one. I am starting them in an egg carton, cos thats all i can afford. I'm also trying a few in paper towels in sealed jars. I have peat moss, Top soil, and miracle grow. can I plant the seeds in that? Or will they not grow? Should I get soil from the ground? Cos i'm worried about infestation and transportation of bugs. I am thinking of planting either my Zinnia seeds ( peppermint sticks) or Aster seeds ( oceanstar mix)

but i also have foxgloves, bachelors buttons, tritomas, ageratums and coleus.

Any help you could offer would be wonderful, especially the most cost savvy.

Thanks!

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Comments (2)

keriann_lakegeneva
14 years ago
When you say you have MG, what do you have? MG soil, fertilizer...?

You should only use sterile potting or seed starting soil to start your seeds in. Top soil should be avoided all together, it is too dense and can be filled with diseases and fungi spores.
I would suggest getting a bag of potting or seed starting mix that is sealed/sterile. They can range from 5-30 bucks depending on size and brand. This will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

What happened to your first try? Did they just not germinate or germinate and then die?

Keriann~

PS I would direct sow your Zinnas.

PSS Describe your set-up.. Do you have lights? Heat mat? Containers? Water?
oilpainter
14 years ago
As for a container to grow your seeds almost anything wood paper or plastic that will hold your growing medium will do. It must have holes in the bottom for drainage.Egg cartons are all right but you will have to transplant them later because they don't hold enough soil for the roots as the plant grows. Sealed jars and paper towels won't do to grow them. You can sprout them on paper towels but once sprouted they need to go in soil.

You are right about soil from outside. It holds a bunch of nasties that you don't want when you are starting seed.
Peat mass gets hard when it dries out. It is in soilless seed starting mixes but other things keep it loose.
Top soil is not a good seed starting mix.

If some have died it is probably because you had them too wet. You need the soil moist but not too wet
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