What's wrong with my seed starting mix?
urban_will
7 years ago
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morz8 - Washington Coast
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agourban_will
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Seed Starting - What are we doing wrong?
Comments (8)Wait until the plants have at least 3 sets (sets, aka pairs or whorls or whatever node pattern they have) of "true" (not the cotyledons, initial "leaves", feeder leaves) leaves to transplant...4-5 if your container or time dictates it. I wouldn't even bother fertilizing, even a diluted amount, until it shows the first set of true leaves...and like noted above, you don't need to do it a often, especially if you're not over-watering. The top-heavy leggy seedlings + shallow root system is a recipe for disaster...especially if you haven't hardened them off (slowly acclimating them to outside conditions). Bring your light source closer to the seedlings grown indoors to lessen the legginess. This post was edited by nc-crn on Tue, Apr 9, 13 at 17:10...See MoreWhat is the best seed starting mix?
Comments (20)ProMix BX has been my choice as a soil-less growing medium for some years now. Good results for seed germination and growing seedlings on in pots until ready for permanent site. (May take a year or so for me to get all my pots planted.) This year I added fine sand to the ProMix to start rock garden plants and alpines. Other normal garden seeds were sown in this mix. Germination results just as good. There is also a growing medium sold by the bale at Home Depot caled BM1. I have used this product when ProMix was not available adding vermiculite and perlite as required because the BM1 has more peat than the ProMix BX bale. The cost of either bales is around $25.00 to $30.00 Canadian. This mix can also be used with potting soil for use in hanging baskets, deck pots, etc. Buying by the compressed bale is practical and cost worthy. Besides selected nurseries I have found ProMix BX at farm Feed & Supply Stores....See MoreWhat's the difference between soil and seed starting mix?
Comments (4)Mixes like Fafard #2 (vermiculite, perlite, and peat moss) are used by lots of professionals because it gives the seeds the right conditions for germination. This mix really doesn't have any nutrition to speak of, but the seeds themselves provide nutrition to the plant for awhile. So, seed starting mixes aren't really soil, but they are good for starting seed. You get a high percentage of germination. You have to transplant the plant to real soil within a month or two, or it will get sick from lack of nutients. "Potting soil" really isn't soil from a soil science perspective, though it may have some nutrition. Soil is the mineral stuff in the earth's horizon. I used to be skeptical about seed starting mix, but I'm sold on Fafard. I buy just one bag a year, because it goes a long way....See MoreWhat would you put in your ultimate seed starting soil mix?
Comments (11)You should be able to visit a nursery supply store and get what you need in various grades. In some cases garden centers/nurseries with great customer service will order some for you and pass on a modest charge. Works well if buying less than a pallet of each. Having said that I have never understood why mixes designated 'seed starting' use super fine particles. For my own seed starting I use the same thing I grow them out in which is a pine bark based mix. There is nothing fine about the particles and I have had no issues with the particle size being larger. This mix has no peat or vermiculite in it. Frankly, one doesn't even require a mix to germinate. Wrap a moist paper towel around the seeds, put in a plastic bag to conserve the moisture and the seeds will germinate. With the relatively coarse mix I use I have germinated very small seeds such as petunias with no issues. I mention that because I think some are concerned that seeds might fall 'between the crack' and go too deep. Haven't had that problem, but then again I bottom water....See Moreparty_music50
7 years agoalbert_135 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
7 years agourban_will
7 years agodigdirt2
7 years ago
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