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When should I start feeding my seedlings?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

So my seedlings are growing their true set of leaves and I'm not sure when I should start feeding them. Do I feed them now or wait until they grow a little more? Also what fertilizer (soluble or insoluble) and how much shouId I use?

This is what my plants look like now:

Also this is the soilless media i'm using: sphagnum peat moss, expanded vermiculite, organic residue of agribusiness class A, lime, land plaster and fertilizer NPK (trace). pH 5,5 +/-0,5

Featured Answer

esox07 (4b) Wisconsin

7 years ago

You existing soil is plenty for your seedlings for some time yet. Once you transplant your seedlings into bigger pots, that soil will probably have a healthy set of nutrients built in as well and will be plenty for the plant for at least another 30 days or more. Over fertilizing can be worse than lack of nutrients. Don't kill your little babies with too much love.

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Comments (8)

Ariel
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the reply! I have one more question though, how will I know that the soil's nutrients have been exhausted and I need to feed the plants?
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esox07 (4b) Wisconsin
7 years ago
Don't worry about the seedling. But after you transplant it, check the bag of potting mix that you use. It should state how long it should be able to supply the plant with nutrients. Usually 30-90 days. I think anything beyond maybe 60 days is just a marketing ploy though. Once you transplant it, if you put it straight into a full size pot (3 gallon or bigger), then I would probably start adding fertilizer after about 60 days.

A general tomato/vegetable fertilizer is fine. Miracle grow is cheap and easy to find and will be a good solution. Don't overthink it and don't over love your peppers. And first and foremost, be careful not to over water your peppers. That is one of the most common mistakes new growers make. If you stick a wooden stick such as a bamboo skewer into the soil and it comes out with potting soil stuck to it, your soil is plenty moist.
Ariel thanked esox07 (4b) Wisconsin
Ariel
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I've checked the bag and it doesn't say how long the nutrients last, however it does say this: 'After germination it is necessary to complement the nutrition of the seedlings by adding soluble fertilizers, acording to technical recommendations' which is a bit confusing to me since the mix already contains fertilizer. What do you think? Should I just wait 30-60 days like you've said?
esox07 (4b) Wisconsin
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I assume you are going to be transferring the seedlings to larger pots soon. I wouldn't fertilize before then. Once you transfer them to larger containers, wait a week or so for them to get used to their new home and then add some ferts. Start with half strength for a couple weeks.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Miracle-Gro-Water-Soluble-Tomato-Plant-Food-1.5-lb/16879740
agmss15
7 years ago
I transplant several times before I get to full size pots. I did feed a couple of times with 1/4-1/2 strength fertilizer. Maybe too much but it worked for me. I live in a chilly climate - I agree with the above poster about too much water. In my cooler house and northern climate bottom heat and auxiliary light is important.
greenman28 NorCal 7b/8a
7 years ago
Begin feeding as soon as your seedlings have true leaves.

Just use a light dose at first, then increase as the plants become larger.

Josh
Jean
7 years ago
Just as the pavckage say 'After germination it is necessary to complement the nutrition of the
seedlings by adding soluble fertilizers, acording to technical
recommendations'

Dilute to 1/4 strength and begin as soon as the seedling leaves are flat out. In other words, judging from your image, TODAY!

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