Seed medium test - Page 2

Hermitian · February 20, 2014

The SunGro seed propagation mix (3.8 cu.ft. bags) and Jiffy Mix (in consumer stores) have always worked flawlessly for me.

Durgan · February 20, 2014

http://www.durgan.org/URL/?IEVCS 11 September 2013 Seedling Soil
Seedling soil for the 2014 season.The underlying nutrient soil was the compost heap brought in this Spring supplied by the city. It was modified using some knowledge and information from previous subjective experience.Ingredients added to the basic underlying compost was, coconut coir, mason sand, some garden earth, wood chip shavings, a bit of fertilizer 10 10 10. My mental process was this. Coconut coir for moisture retention. Mason sand to inhibit coagulating of the basic compost. Garden earth to supply a few microbes. Wood chips shavings for aeration and to determine how well the products are mixed, since they are easily seen.
The subjective quantities selected were mixed thoroughly on the compost pile using the Honda FG110G rototiller. The finished product was stored in 20 litre buckets and closed with lids tapped into place with a rubber hammer. A total quantity of about 400 litres was obtained. Holes were drilled under the lid lip to allow air in.

tqn626 · February 20, 2014

2/20/14

kath · February 21, 2014

I'm also finding this an interesting thread to follow, both because I'm looking for another medium option for next season and because it's too early for me to start my own pepper/tomato seeds.

The potting soil looks soggy even after the 1st pic 5 days ago!

kath

tqn626 · February 21, 2014

2/21/14

madddawg · February 22, 2014

I have pretty good results using Miracle Grow potting mix to start mine. The only problem I have is getting it wet enough. I spray it down good with a 2 gallon pump sprayer, let it sit for a while to let it soak in and repeat a couple more times. Then plant the seeds and push them down. Then wet em one more time. It seems like the mix is still dry, (the tray still feels light) But I probably get 95% Germination.

b54red · February 22, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by madddawg

I have pretty good results using Miracle Grow potting mix to start mine. The only problem I have is getting it wet enough. I spray it down good with a 2 gallon pump sprayer, let it sit for a while to let it soak in and repeat a couple more times. Then plant the seeds and push them down. Then wet em one more time. It seems like the mix is still dry, (the tray still feels light) But I probably get 95% Germination.

I found that the best way to wet those really dry seed starting mediums was to run your tap water very hot into the bag then close it up and work it a bit. Make sure you are outside then poke a few holes in the bottom of the bag and let the excess water drain out. While it is still hot you can add more dry medium to it and mix it in and it will wet very quickly and take some of the moisture out of the bag until the seed starting mix is at the consistency you want.

Too much trouble for me. I now use UltraSorb from Auto Zone to start almost all my seed.

Bill

madddawg · February 23, 2014

I think it was last year I mixed water with how much I needed, but I can not remember why i didn't like it. I think it was the fact that when its dry I can just scoop some into the packs and shake out the excess. but yeah Next time I plant I will not go with the "easy" way. I will definitely wet the mixture.

I look up Ultrasorb on Auto Zone s web site and it says its 100% Diatomaceous Earth. well i thought to myself "Self, what is Diatomaceous Earth." So I looked that up and found this
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html
Kind of an interesting read..(don't go huffing that stuff!) I wonder how well that stuff and something like Miracle mixed together would work?

RayR · February 23, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by madddawg

I think it was last year I mixed water with how much I needed, but I can not remember why i didn't like it. I think it was the fact that when its dry I can just scoop some into the packs and shake out the excess. but yeah Next time I plant I will not go with the "easy" way. I will definitely wet the mixture.

I look up Ultrasorb on Auto Zone s web site and it says its 100% Diatomaceous Earth. well i thought to myself "Self, what is Diatomaceous Earth." So I looked that up and found this
http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html
Kind of an interesting read..(don't go huffing that stuff!) I wonder how well that stuff and something like Miracle mixed together would work?

I bet mixing some DE with the MG potting soil will make it much easier to wet. I've done that with other hydrophobic mixes like Jiffy Mix and MG Organic. The different shapes of the DE granules keeps the mix from caking together also, so it improves aeration for young seedlings.

tqn626's experiment here is interesting because of the vermiculite as a primary additional component which is very water retentive like a wet sponge but still allows for some aeration in a mix. I've been experimenting with DE for a few seasons, but never experimented with vermiculite much so it'll be interesting how this shakes out as far as root growth and overall seedling health in comparison.

sergeant69 · February 23, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Worth1

reading the title to this thread (Seed Medium Test)from day one has had me thinking of something.
What would and who would be a medium for a seed seance.

Worth

that's funny. I dare you! tell em what Austins motto is! the first word is "keep".

tqn626 · February 24, 2014

2/23/14

Also got this seedling with 3 cotyledon

I mix some Humic acid into one of the waterings since i was making some humic acid concentrate. That may have speed up their growth. I;m starting another test with fulvic acid.

madddawg · February 24, 2014

This is pretty interesting stuff here, for me at least.. I like to try new things, and it looks like TQN is doing a nice job.!! Keep it up!

Ray, I peeked at that, and it does look interesting, But its late and i will look at it when I can.

Here is an idea..Try mixing different things up and make a "Frankensoil"! Or, it may be the fact that seeds will germinate in anything, and we have to see how they do...? hmm. Its got me to thinkin. I am thinkin of a new thread on here of growing seeds in weird stuff. They may sprout but will they live and strive? Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde kinda stuff...

tqn626 · February 27, 2014

2/27/14

Will probably Repot some tomato plants tomorrow.

RayR · February 28, 2014

So what's the verdict? The coir mix's look like they did OK. Did you feed them at all?

tqn626 · February 28, 2014

I fed them all a diluted Fish hydrolysate/humic acid/ fulvic acid mix.

Let do a cost breakdown,

Vermiculite was 2 cu feet for $20 at home depot. Cheaper if you buy from farm supply store. Could substitute Perlite probably for 4 cubic feet for 10 dollars.

Cocoir was 9 dollars for 2-2.5 Cubic Feet

LGM potting soil was 10 dollar 2- cubic feet.

Empire Builder Potting soil 16 dollar per 2 cubic feet.

I would go with a coco coir/Vermiculite mix. It's cost effective. I would think the coco coir alone would hold up too much water. Not to mention the coco coir has a habit of robbing calcium and Magnesium. It would seem the coco coir would maintain better heat retention due to the fibers but that my speculation, i didn't have a thermometer.

When fluffing up the coco coir i made sure to rinse it out repeatedly 3-4 times. I also added Dolomite lime to the mix. You can use Gysum and epsom salt.

I will take pictures of the roots when im repotting later today.

February 20, 2014	#16
Hermitian BANNED Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Vista, CA Posts: 1,112	The SunGro seed propagation mix (3.8 cu.ft. bags) and Jiffy Mix (in consumer stores) have always worked flawlessly for me. __________________ Richard _<\|\|>_

February 22, 2014	#21
madddawg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 407	I have pretty good results using Miracle Grow potting mix to start mine. The only problem I have is getting it wet enough. I spray it down good with a 2 gallon pump sprayer, let it sit for a while to let it soak in and repeat a couple more times. Then plant the seeds and push them down. Then wet em one more time. It seems like the mix is still dry, (the tray still feels light) But I probably get 95% Germination. __________________ I grow a garden not just for the food I harvest, but for the creation of life itself. Johnny Cash

February 23, 2014	#23
madddawg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 407	I think it was last year I mixed water with how much I needed, but I can not remember why i didn't like it. I think it was the fact that when its dry I can just scoop some into the packs and shake out the excess. but yeah Next time I plant I will not go with the "easy" way. I will definitely wet the mixture. I look up Ultrasorb on Auto Zone s web site and it says its 100% Diatomaceous Earth. well i thought to myself "Self, what is Diatomaceous Earth." So I looked that up and found this http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html Kind of an interesting read..(don't go huffing that stuff!) I wonder how well that stuff and something like Miracle mixed together would work? __________________ I grow a garden not just for the food I harvest, but for the creation of life itself. Johnny Cash

February 24, 2014	#27
madddawg Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Missouri Posts: 407	This is pretty interesting stuff here, for me at least.. I like to try new things, and it looks like TQN is doing a nice job.!! Keep it up! Ray, I peeked at that, and it does look interesting, But its late and i will look at it when I can. Here is an idea..Try mixing different things up and make a "Frankensoil"! Or, it may be the fact that seeds will germinate in anything, and we have to see how they do...? hmm. Its got me to thinkin. I am thinkin of a new thread on here of growing seeds in weird stuff. They may sprout but will they live and strive? Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde kinda stuff... __________________ I grow a garden not just for the food I harvest, but for the creation of life itself. Johnny Cash

February 28, 2014	#30
tqn626 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Gabriel, CA Posts: 145	I fed them all a diluted Fish hydrolysate/humic acid/ fulvic acid mix. Let do a cost breakdown, Vermiculite was 2 cu feet for $20 at home depot. Cheaper if you buy from farm supply store. Could substitute Perlite probably for 4 cubic feet for 10 dollars. Cocoir was 9 dollars for 2-2.5 Cubic Feet LGM potting soil was 10 dollar 2- cubic feet. Empire Builder Potting soil 16 dollar per 2 cubic feet. I would go with a coco coir/Vermiculite mix. It's cost effective. I would think the coco coir alone would hold up too much water. Not to mention the coco coir has a habit of robbing calcium and Magnesium. It would seem the coco coir would maintain better heat retention due to the fibers but that my speculation, i didn't have a thermometer. When fluffing up the coco coir i made sure to rinse it out repeatedly 3-4 times. I also added Dolomite lime to the mix. You can use Gysum and epsom salt. I will take pictures of the roots when im repotting later today. Last edited by tqn626; February 28, 2014 at 02:44 PM.

February 20, 2014	#17
Durgan Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Brantford, ON, Canada Posts: 1,341	http://www.durgan.org/URL/?IEVCS 11 September 2013 Seedling Soil Seedling soil for the 2014 season.The underlying nutrient soil was the compost heap brought in this Spring supplied by the city. It was modified using some knowledge and information from previous subjective experience.Ingredients added to the basic underlying compost was, coconut coir, mason sand, some garden earth, wood chip shavings, a bit of fertilizer 10 10 10. My mental process was this. Coconut coir for moisture retention. Mason sand to inhibit coagulating of the basic compost. Garden earth to supply a few microbes. Wood chips shavings for aeration and to determine how well the products are mixed, since they are easily seen. The subjective quantities selected were mixed thoroughly on the compost pile using the Honda FG110G rototiller. The finished product was stored in 20 litre buckets and closed with lids tapped into place with a rubber hammer. A total quantity of about 400 litres was obtained. Holes were drilled under the lid lip to allow air in.

February 21, 2014	#19
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	I'm also finding this an interesting thread to follow, both because I'm looking for another medium option for next season and because it's too early for me to start my own pepper/tomato seeds. The potting soil looks soggy even after the 1st pic 5 days ago! kath

February 24, 2014	#26
tqn626 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Gabriel, CA Posts: 145	2/23/14 Also got this seedling with 3 cotyledon I mix some Humic acid into one of the waterings since i was making some humic acid concentrate. That may have speed up their growth. I;m starting another test with fulvic acid.

February 27, 2014	#28
tqn626 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: San Gabriel, CA Posts: 145	2/27/14 Will probably Repot some tomato plants tomorrow.

February 28, 2014	#29
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	So what's the verdict? The coir mix's look like they did OK. Did you feed them at all?