Diatomaceous Earth Organic Seed Starting Mix Experiments - Page 2

JamesL · April 29, 2015

Ah yes, the lure of free food grade buckets....

fonseca · April 29, 2015

Are you using screened Napa 8822 (calcined DE)? I have tried mulching with it in the past to deter slugs and earwigs, but have yet to incorporate it into soilless mixes due to concerns it will break down after a few seasons.

Edit: nevermind, am reading your thread. I'm pretty sure Napa 8822 is more coarse than UltraSorb, which would make the former a better choice for a soil structure component but not starting seeds. I'll give it a shot the next time I start seeds. I usually use a sterilized coir pith/peat/vermiculite blend.

RayR · April 30, 2015

I'm using Ultrasorb but there are two different granule sizes I've come across. The small bags sold at Autozone are much smaller granules than the Ultrasorb I got in large bags. The larger granule size is much like Napa 8822 which is the Utrasorb I used in this mix.

b54red · April 30, 2015

My main reason for using the DE was to prevent damping off in my newly sprouted tomatoes and other veggies. I tried mixing in Coco Coir and found myself facing much more damping off than with the straight DE. Since I have no problems with the damping off once the plants are potted up into larger containers I'm going to continue with the straight DE for my seed starting. It has been a blessing for me by allowing me to win a decades long struggle with damping off. Now seed starting is almost carefree with the exception of having to fertilize them much sooner. Thanks again for the DE idea Ray.

Bill

beeman · April 30, 2015

I found an automatic watering system for DE containers, gave it a wizz and it works a treat http://www.bigelowbrook.com/Products...p/Default.aspx watch the video at the page bottom.
It helped me sort out the problem with the 'Optisorb' we buy in Canada. The problem was lack of water in too high a container. Lowering the depth, plus using the automatic watering idea and I've got all sorts of growth.
I going to try those clips in my Kratsky hydroponic trays I use.

BigVanVader · April 30, 2015

Thought I'd add this here. I experimented with DE this year and just got around to transplanting some perriennals last night. Check these roots out. This is German Chamomile.

RayR · May 1, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Thought I'd add this here. I experimented with DE this year and just got around to transplanting some perriennals last night. Check these roots out. This is German Chamomile.

Those are some long roots!

RayR · May 10, 2015

It always amazes me how fast they grow after potting up. Outdoors enjoying the sun and the breeze and all hardened up.

BigVanVader · May 10, 2015

Beautiful plants Ray, are those dwarfs?

RayR · May 10, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigVanVader

Beautiful plants Ray, are those dwarfs?

Only the Rosella Crimson in the first picture is a dwarf. I also have Chocolate Champion and Sophie's Choice which are not in these pictures.

April 29, 2015	#17
fonseca Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 205	Are you using screened Napa 8822 (calcined DE)? I have tried mulching with it in the past to deter slugs and earwigs, but have yet to incorporate it into soilless mixes due to concerns it will break down after a few seasons. Edit: nevermind, am reading your thread. I'm pretty sure Napa 8822 is more coarse than UltraSorb, which would make the former a better choice for a soil structure component but not starting seeds. I'll give it a shot the next time I start seeds. I usually use a sterilized coir pith/peat/vermiculite blend. Last edited by fonseca; April 29, 2015 at 11:40 PM.

April 29, 2015	#16
JamesL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,992	Ah yes, the lure of free food grade buckets....

April 30, 2015	#18
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	I'm using Ultrasorb but there are two different granule sizes I've come across. The small bags sold at Autozone are much smaller granules than the Ultrasorb I got in large bags. The larger granule size is much like Napa 8822 which is the Utrasorb I used in this mix.

April 30, 2015	#19
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	My main reason for using the DE was to prevent damping off in my newly sprouted tomatoes and other veggies. I tried mixing in Coco Coir and found myself facing much more damping off than with the straight DE. Since I have no problems with the damping off once the plants are potted up into larger containers I'm going to continue with the straight DE for my seed starting. It has been a blessing for me by allowing me to win a decades long struggle with damping off. Now seed starting is almost carefree with the exception of having to fertilize them much sooner. Thanks again for the DE idea Ray. Bill

April 30, 2015	#20
beeman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 692	I found an automatic watering system for DE containers, gave it a wizz and it works a treat http://www.bigelowbrook.com/Products...p/Default.aspx watch the video at the page bottom. It helped me sort out the problem with the 'Optisorb' we buy in Canada. The problem was lack of water in too high a container. Lowering the depth, plus using the automatic watering idea and I've got all sorts of growth. I going to try those clips in my Kratsky hydroponic trays I use.

May 10, 2015	#24
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	Beautiful plants Ray, are those dwarfs?