Potting mix for starting

coloken · August 23, 2010

I know that there might be better, but for for years I have just used a popular potting mix to start my tomato seeds. Now this year I have had bad results with a potting mix compared to peat pellets ( I don't like them) and other starter mix. Is there some thing in potting mix, like a fertilizer that can cause problems. Or is it simply a matter of texture properties and water problems?

b54red · August 27, 2010

The problem with seed starting mixes for me is finding one that stays consistent. It seems every time I buy one the content seems different than the last time I bought it.

tam91 · August 27, 2010

My local nursery uses metro mix 360. I've used it for a lot of stuff, including starting some seeds this year (not tomatoes) and it seems pretty consistant to me.

feldon30 · August 27, 2010

Potting Mix is not intended for starting seeds. It is not sterile, so may contain bacteria that tomato seedlings are susceptible to.

I suppose you could treat with hydrogen peroxide or bleach or something, but you're best to buy a seed starting mix. This can be in 4 or 8 quart bags, or if you can find it, something like MetroMix or ProMix.

August 23, 2010	#1
coloken Tomatovillian™ Honoree Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NE Co Posts: 303	Potting mix for starting I know that there might be better, but for for years I have just used a popular potting mix to start my tomato seeds. Now this year I have had bad results with a potting mix compared to peat pellets ( I don't like them) and other starter mix. Is there some thing in potting mix, like a fertilizer that can cause problems. Or is it simply a matter of texture properties and water problems?

August 27, 2010	#4
feldon30 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2006 Location: Rock Hill, SC Posts: 5,346	Potting Mix is not intended for starting seeds. It is not sterile, so may contain bacteria that tomato seedlings are susceptible to. I suppose you could treat with hydrogen peroxide or bleach or something, but you're best to buy a seed starting mix. This can be in 4 or 8 quart bags, or if you can find it, something like MetroMix or ProMix. __________________ [SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I]

August 27, 2010	#2
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	The problem with seed starting mixes for me is finding one that stays consistent. It seems every time I buy one the content seems different than the last time I bought it.

August 27, 2010	#3
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	My local nursery uses metro mix 360. I've used it for a lot of stuff, including starting some seeds this year (not tomatoes) and it seems pretty consistant to me.