Fertilizing the youngins

ARgardener · February 17, 2017

So I'll be starting tomato, eggplant, and peppers indoors next week (total of 64 plants).
I've got a bag of Fox Farm's Light Warrior to use (not cheap but I didn't need much), and I see that they suggest fertilizing seedlings started in this mix quite early.

What are some organic fertilizing options for my little seedlings? I have fish emulsion and can easily whip up some seaweed emulsion.

What are the proper dilution rates?

How often will I need to apply?

Looking forward to starting my plants, but I'm a bit nervous!

Cole_Robbie · February 17, 2017

Light Warrior has a little bit of worm castings in it. I think it should get you to the second set of leaves by itself.

I use a product from kelp4less.com called Ultimate Blend. It is kelp plus fulvic, humic, and amino acids. Kelp and fish emulsion will work fine. Don't let the plants get very cold - below 50 or so - if you use organics. I get stem rot when that happens.

garyjr · February 17, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole_Robbie

Light Warrior has a little bit of worm castings in it. I think it should get you to the second set of leaves by itself.

I use a product from kelp4less.com called Ultimate Blend. It is kelp plus fulvic, humic, and amino acids. Kelp and fish emulsion will work fine. Don't let the plants get very cold - below 50 or so - if you use organics. I get stem rot when that happens.

Cole, how is the smell on the seaweed emulsion? Fish smell near the washer and dryer didn't go over well in my house. Looking for a less smelly alternative.
Thanks, not trying to hijack...

HudsonValley · February 17, 2017

I've gotten good results from Espoma Start! liquid fertilizer (1-2-2). Doesn't stink like fish stuff; seedlings seem to like it after they have their first set of true leaves; bottle lasts a while since it's concentrated.

Big box stores like HD carry it - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Espoma-St...3830/206412176

Cole_Robbie · February 17, 2017

kelp/seaweed doesn't smell bad at all.

jtjmartin · February 17, 2017

I have not done side-by-side comparisons, but I also really like Espoma Start! There is some smell - but nothing close to the last fish emulsion I used.

Jeff

Father'sDaughter · February 17, 2017

I used to use Neptune products, but it did smell unpleasant when used indoors. Now I use the vegetable fertilizer from the company that makes the Texas Tomato Food fertilizer. I usually have some left in the gallon jug I buy each year to use out in the garden, so I dilute it down and use it on seedlings in the spring.

February 17, 2017	#1
ARgardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: steamy southern Arkansas Posts: 155	Fertilizing the youngins So I'll be starting tomato, eggplant, and peppers indoors next week (total of 64 plants). I've got a bag of Fox Farm's Light Warrior to use (not cheap but I didn't need much), and I see that they suggest fertilizing seedlings started in this mix quite early. What are some organic fertilizing options for my little seedlings? I have fish emulsion and can easily whip up some seaweed emulsion. What are the proper dilution rates? How often will I need to apply? Looking forward to starting my plants, but I'm a bit nervous!

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February 17, 2017	#2
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Light Warrior has a little bit of worm castings in it. I think it should get you to the second set of leaves by itself. I use a product from kelp4less.com called Ultimate Blend. It is kelp plus fulvic, humic, and amino acids. Kelp and fish emulsion will work fine. Don't let the plants get very cold - below 50 or so - if you use organics. I get stem rot when that happens.

February 17, 2017	#4
HudsonValley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Hudson Valley, NY, Zone 6a Posts: 626	I've gotten good results from Espoma Start! liquid fertilizer (1-2-2). Doesn't stink like fish stuff; seedlings seem to like it after they have their first set of true leaves; bottle lasts a while since it's concentrated. Big box stores like HD carry it - http://www.homedepot.com/p/Espoma-St...3830/206412176

February 17, 2017	#6
jtjmartin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2016 Location: Williamsburg VA Zone 7b Posts: 1,110	I have not done side-by-side comparisons, but I also really like Espoma Start! There is some smell - but nothing close to the last fish emulsion I used. Jeff

February 17, 2017	#7
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I used to use Neptune products, but it did smell unpleasant when used indoors. Now I use the vegetable fertilizer from the company that makes the Texas Tomato Food fertilizer. I usually have some left in the gallon jug I buy each year to use out in the garden, so I dilute it down and use it on seedlings in the spring.