Miracle Gro and Seed Starting

[agee12]

I recall reading that Miracle Gro, presumably weakened, helps seed germination and/or seed starting. I have been doing searches on this site and Google searches and cannot find details.

Is anyone familiar with this?

What is the process and dosage?

Thank you.

[brownrexx]

The seed itself contains the necessary nutrients for germination and feeds the embryo until the first true leaves appear. I do not see any benefit to fertilizing until after the first true leaves appear and then I only use a 10% solution.

[Keiththibodeaux]

Originally Posted by brownrexx

The seed itself contains the necessary nutrients for germination and feeds the embryo until the first true leaves appear. I do not see any benefit to fertilizing until after the first true leaves appear and then I only use a 10% solution.

This assumes a healthy fresh seed. The older ones don't have the same nutrients, energy, and vigor. I am a fan of giving them as much as they will take, just not too much.

[Worth1]

1/2 to full power first rattle out of the box once they germinated.
I did the comparisons last year and it made them grow big time faster.
Just be careful how often.

Worth

[Douglas_OW]

Originally Posted by agee12

I recall reading that Miracle Gro, presumably weakened, helps seed germination and/or seed starting. I have been doing searches on this site and Google searches and cannot find details.

Is anyone familiar with this?

What is the process and dosage?

Thank you.

I think that the Miracle Grow soak is reserved for older (5 to 10 + year old) seeds. I don't think is is necessary, or helpful, for fresher seeds.
Here's one post on the subject:

http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....3&postcount=13

As for searches, try substituting "blue stuff" for Miracle Grow; for some reason, people can't bring themselves to use that name.

Jim

[agee12]

Thanks for the responses, I edited the title to better reflect my question.

Originally Posted by Keiththibodeaux

This assumes a healthy fresh seed. The older ones don't have the same nutrients, energy, and vigor. I am a fan of giving them as much as they will take, just not too much.

Originally Posted by Douglas_OW

I think that the Miracle Grow soak is reserved for older (5 to 10 + year old) seeds. I don't think is is necessary, or helpful, for fresher seeds.
Here's one post on the subject:

http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....3&postcount=13

As for searches, try substituting "blue stuff" for Miracle Grow; for some reason, people can't bring themselves to use that name.

Jim

Thanks, my recollection was fuzzy but I think what I was looking for was related to seed germination of older / difficult to germinate seeds, but I also think that I've seen where Miracle Gro has been used in the early stages of growth which is what Worth is posting about, so it looks like I conflated things.

Originally Posted by Worth1

1/2 to full power first rattle out of the box once they germinated.
I did the comparisons last year and it made them grow big time faster.
Just be careful how often.

Worth

I know I asked but I don't know if I'm brave enough to do half-strength that early in the game.

Originally Posted by Douglas_OW

As for searches, try substituting "blue stuff" for Miracle Grow; for some reason, people can't bring themselves to use that name.

Jim

Originally Posted by dmforcier

Or try the correct spelling, "Miracle-Gro".

I just use whatever is in my watering can, which is pH corrected and usually includes 1/4 strength MGAP (All Purpose 24-8-16). This year, though, I might try Worth's method of hitting them with full strength early on.

One other challenge is that it is often abbreviated as MG.

Tomatoville does not like "Miracle-Gro." Using "Miracle Gro" as a search term on Tomatoville and Google yields results but the results are broad. This was a "I know it when I see it" situation and I think what I was mostly looking for was using MG for germination of older / difficult to germinate seeds.

[dmforcier]

Or try the correct spelling, "Miracle-Gro".

I just use whatever is in my watering can, which is pH corrected and usually includes 1/4 strength MGAP (All Purpose 24-8-16). This year, though, I might try Worth's method of hitting them with full strength early on.

[Worth1]

Just in case you get the courage to do it.
Here is what I do.
Take a pour spout you would use on a booze bottle, 'I use the plastic one that comes on the 1/2 gallon bottles.
A 4 count is a shot or 1.5 oz's.
Then you can break it down into quarters by counting to 1 and so on.
This is how I measuer fertilizer for my plants.
Very accurate.


Worth

[dmforcier]

Ah, but what's in the bottle? Full strength? It that your only watering wet stuff? or do you water with water and use the booze method for dosing?

And which MG are you using, the 24-8-16 or the lower N version (which I've never used, but it seems to be intended for toms and veg)?

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by dmforcier

Ah, but what's in the bottle? Full strength? It that your only watering wet stuff? or do you water with water and use the booze method for dosing?

And which MG are you using, the 24-8-16 or the lower N version (which I've never used, but it seems to be intended for toms and veg)?

Full strength never fertilize dry so I dose.
The regular stuff 24-8-6 I dont buy into the low N (tomato) products from anybody.

Worth