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Growing from Seed Perennials Annuals

Potting mix recs, please

3 months ago

I know this has been asked before, but looking for current recs for potting mix to use for seedling transplants. I've used a house brand from one of the local nurseries for a long time but the last handful of years haven't been happy with it, it seems to get surface mold much too quickly (didn't do that in the past) and I end up having to repot = double the work. I'm pretty careful not to overwater, and I've been at this a long time, I really do suspect something in the mix is different. So, would like to try a different potting mix for indoor seedling transplants. What do you recommend?

Featured Answer

rusty_blackhaw

3 months ago

Pro-Mix has worked well for me. I generally add some vermiculite or perlite to increase water absorption, as the peat content initially resists wetting to a degree. Or you can add Pro-Mix to a plastic bag, add some water and shake it thoroughly to dampen it, squeezing out any excess water.

Using a sterile mix and clean containers is important to prevent damping-off.

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Comments (13)

mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
3 months ago
Where can I get the Prox-Mix?
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Al, OK, I understand how the ratio is not as important as the actual amount. I'm just a little confused as to how to fertilize my container tomatoes throughout the season. When you say, "In summer, after I have some foliage on the plants, I usually fertilize tomatoes with something like 4-5 teaspoons of 9-3-6 per 2-1/2 gallons of water, along with about 1/2 teaspoon of ProTekt," are you talking about when the plants are growing robustly early in the season, until they reach the top of the cages? How often do you fertilize? The FP instructions state every 2-4 weeks at that concentration. After the plants reach the top of the cages, at what concentrations, and how often, do you fertilize? The FP directions mention "PRODUCTION" and "MAINTAINANCE" methods of fertilizing. What is the difference between the two? Is it an either/or thing, or can both to be used at the same time? My gut tells me that I'm a 'fertilize every time I water' kinda guy. So I trying to come up with a plan for fertilizing throughout the season using the FP and Pro-TeKt. Thanks a bunch. Ed
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Let me make a suggestion, please? Follow the link I left below to gain a better understanding of the difference between the gritty mix and the 5:1:1 mix, and a better understanding of how water behaves in container soils. I think gaining an understanding of that (the water:air relationship in soils) is probably the largest step forward a container gardener can take at any one time. Al Here is a link that might be useful: C'mon - I'll take you to what he's talking about.
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I spend a lot of time at the Container Forum, just happened to wander over here! I recommend you post on the Container forum and talk to Al (Tapla) and JAG (Justaguy). The first mix will definitely be frowned on, the second mix is preferable if those are your only choices...with 50% fines it may retain water longer than optimal but that depends on your particular microclimate. Ideally you should need to water every day, means the mix is well drained with good gas exchange and fresh oxygen to the roots daily, think of container gardening as a cross between hydroponics and aeroponics...if you find yourself only needing to water every 2-3 days due to moisture retention then you won't have an optimal root environment and best results possible. Good luck. Tom
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callirhoe123
3 months ago
You can find Pro-Mix at most garden centers and many hardware stores.
mxk3 z5b_MI thanked callirhoe123
zen_man
3 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
Hi mxk3,

"Where can I get the Prox-Mix?"

In the absence of any info about where you are, you might try this link below. I agree with what Callirhoe123 said. Pro-Mix is widely available. I have a bale handy at all times. It is available in many "flavors" but I use the standard "General Purpose Usage".

Pro-Mix locator

ZM (another satisfied Pro-Mix user)
mxk3 z5b_MI thanked zen_man
diggerdee zone 6 CT
3 months ago
Another Pro-Mix user here. Like zen man, I always have a bale on hand year-round. I get mine at a local garden center/farm supply store.

:)

Dee
mxk3 z5b_MI thanked diggerdee zone 6 CT
Deb
3 months ago
I love Pro-Mix. Used to be that I could find it only at Garden Centers, but I spotted some at Wal-Mart this year.
mxk3 z5b_MI thanked Deb
beesneeds
3 months ago
I get Pro-Mix at Menards. Big bale bags of it.
mxk3 z5b_MI thanked beesneeds
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
3 months ago
I like Pro-Mix PGX. It is a much finer product especially for tiny seeds. I found regular Pro-Mix a bit clunky last time I used it years ago.
mxk3 z5b_MI thanked peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
3 months ago
I got this BX one. Wasn't sure which to buy so went with the general purpose Zen mentioned above, plus I didn't want any extra fertilizer in it, which some of the varieties had. Ordered off A*n since the hardware stores don't have their stock in yet but I need it for seed starting and some other stuff I have to re-pot soon.
zen_man
3 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
Hi mxk3,

I got the plain stuff with no added extra ingredients. You got a bag with added Mycorrhizae https://www.pthorticulture.com/en/active-ingredients/#Mycorrhizae MYCORRHIZAE is in big letters, because it is not the same as the plain stuff.

No worry, unless a problem with eyesight and big letters. There are advantages to the added Mycorrhizae, but I preferred no added extra ingredients, except for a small amount of nutrients. If you use Pro-Mix with no addition of nutrients by you, you may eventually see the symptoms of a nutrient deficiency. The first deficiency I noticed was a Calcium deficiency, despite the small amount of Calcium that is in the mix.

ZM
mxk3 z5b_MI thanked zen_man
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
3 months ago
" You got a bag with added Mycorrhizae"

That's not bad, is it? I didn't see just a plain one on A*n, but since I'm not familiar with the brand I might not have been looking for the right thing. I'll see what's available locally in season. As long as the Mycorrhizae aren't bad for seed starting and potting up transplants I'll go ahead and use it -- but if this additional fungal ingredient is bad for those purposes, I can relegate the two bags I got to mixing up potting mix for outside use during the season and buy something else for indoor seedling use.
zen_man
3 months ago
last modified: 3 months ago
Hi mxk3,

" As long as the Mycorrhizae aren't bad for seed starting and potting up transplants I'll go ahead and use it -- "

It's not bad, and might even be good. I would avoid breathing the dust from it, which is good advice for any potting product.

ZM
mxk3 z5b_MI thanked zen_man
mxk3 z5b_MI
Original Author
3 months ago
I finally got around to re-potting my cuttings into the Pro-Mix. I took the advice above and mixed in some perlite. The mix looked pretty good, but time will tell.

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