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Growing Tomatoes

Repotting tomato seedlings - use regular potting mix or orchid mix?

8 years ago

Hi All - I am going to repot some tomato seedlings shortly - I am going to be putting my pepper seeds in MG orchid mix - I can't remember if tomatoes do well in this mix or if they should go into a regular MG seed mix. Any thoughts appreciated. Thanks!

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Comments (10)

digdirt2
8 years ago
Why are you using the Orchid Mix? It is more expensive and very coarse.

If you are going to use MG products then both peppers and tomatoes do okay in regular MG Potting Mix (not the MG Seed Starting mix and not the MG Garden Soil Mix).

Dave
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
8 years ago
Agree, entirely.

Seysonn
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fireduck
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I have studied growing in containers quite a bit...and there is a lot of info available under the "container" section, and elsewhere. Some of the contributions from certain gardeners is very good. One of the primary downfalls of many container mixes is: they do not drain well because of the size of medium used in the mix (over-simplification). Have you ever noticed the bottom 2 inches of your pots loads up with "muck"? There are a couple of reasons for that. I actually "custom" mix to eliminate/reduce this common problem (in addition to using a wick). As stated above...you can really empty your bank account buying supplies if you are not careful. Oftentimes, I buy inexpensive (larger quantity) bags of cactus mix to supplement my other ingredients. I am not sure what your ideas/purposes are...but it is a good thing to pay attention to what you are using for a soil mix. It can make or break your whole planting experience. Some folks plant in crap...and then they spend a small fortune on seeds, plants, fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides, etc....and still fail. I do not mean to rant...but rather help some folks avoid trouble and disappointment. With good intentions...I see people put rocks in the bottom of their containers, use "moisture control" mixes, add native soil to the mix, and do all kinds of stuff that shoot themselves in the foot. Kind of sad. goodluck, and keep asking... PS If you are just temporarily re-potting to a larger pot prior to garden plantout...just save yourself some money/time and use "regular" MG potting mix or like product. Not sure what your plan is. haha
jennieboyer
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks everyone

@fireduck - I am potting up from starter cells to bigger pots. These plants will eventually go in the ground.

@digdirt - a year or two ago, I had a problem with my pepper plants getting stunted. Someone on the growing from seeds forum recommended I use MG orchid mix. I did, and my plants exploded. I think the recommendation was related to better drainage and looser soil?

I just couldn't remember if I did my tomatoes in the same. It sounds like MG potting mix it is.....
suncitylinda
8 years ago
I've been using MG Moisture control in my container tomatoes for several years have not noticed a hole in my foot yet =) As to the orchid mix, yikes, pretty costly. I do purchase bags of bark fines and often add to my potting mix for seedling pot up to improve drainage.
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
8 years ago
.As Dave said any potting mix (soil less) is fine for repotting. Some might hold too much moisture though. There are better potting mixes like kellogg's Fafard, Promix. But these are side issues. Orchid mix is just some fancy expensive coarse pine bark base..

Seysonn
lartomato
8 years ago
Digdirt-----why not mg seed starting mix?

LAR
barrie2m_(6a, central PA)
8 years ago
I used ProMix seed starting mix many years ago to start seeds and saw no benefit over regular ProMix. Nowadays I use only PromMix BX with Mycorise and Biofungicide for everything. Occasionally when potting up I'll add a bit of Agrigel to help with water retention (less watering needed) and some additional fertilizer.

Often for those with drainage issues (usually due to "beercup conversion pots") just add perlite to the media. I'd recommend sticking with planting packs or pots and most drainage issues will be resolved.
digdirt2
8 years ago
why not mg seed starting mix?

Not for transplanting into (potting up). It's for seed starting only. Too fine textured and no nutrients for growing on.

Jennie - look into 5-1-1 for your peppers rather than Orchid Mix. Better mix and much less expensive. Actually that is about all Orchid Mix is - a form of 5-1-1 in an expensive bag.

Dave
Seysonn_ 8a-NC/HZ-7
8 years ago
The only thing that I thing makes a difference when it comes to starting/germinating seeds, if the structure. In a finer soil seeds will have a better contact AND the soil won't dry up quickly. I have been using the same potting mix for sowing as I do for re potting. . That is the reason , I think, commercial starter mix is made of : PEAT MOSS, and VERMICULITE . and maybe some fine perlite. Vermiculite absorbs a lot of water and increase in volume. I dont like that at all. I use DE. This one absorbs water but wont fall apart or break down.

Seysonn

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