Major Disaster at Muddy Bucket Farm - Page 2

ginger2778 · March 30, 2019

Such sad awful news. My heart goes out to you. I would be so downtrodden if it happened to me. Get a fan on the survivors pronto.
I'll put some more Midnight sun in the Monday mail. It's a different batch.

I used MG seed starting potting mix this year and had way more than usual fail. I re-sowed in PromixBX, and they took off. No more seed starting potting mixes for me.

ContainerTed · March 30, 2019

To ~Bee and Marsha, thanks so much. Like Marsha, I will never trust MG again. Once is too many times. By this time tomorrow, I will have a handle on the total impact. I know that I have lost a dozen or more varieties because I used either the last or the only seeds I had. I will post a list of the ones I would like to regain. I spent most of the early part of today just scrubbing trays and cells with bleach and mild soap. The few seedlings that survived have only a 50% chance of making it to the main garden. It's like the stem was "choked" to a thread of what was trying to be a root. I guess the acidity was hugely overpowering.

What really blows me away is how fast it went from "all is okay" to "we are dead or dying". I calculate it was no more than 9 hours. This is my third year with the heat mat, so I don't think it was much of a factor in beginning the plunge. I've read a few incidents this year that has mostly involved MG. Perhaps the "roundup" issues are draining their capital and they have loaded up some mix that wasn't quite ready for primetime.

I've had no indication of any problem with the Jiffy products so far. It's good that I caught the problem as quick as I did. My diligence has greatly limited the impact. DW has made me get the stinking MG out of her house.

Thanks to all for your genuine concerns. I'm trying to let everyone know that I've had the problem I have encountered so that folks may learn from my misfortune. Until proven differently, I will not use MG potting products again. My gut feeling is that the mix was not fully composted. I'll never forget my first impression this morning of "SEWAGE".

Well, right now I'm tired and ready for some down time. I wish each and every one of you the best gardens you've ever had. I'll get by just fine. I always do.

Scooty · March 30, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father'sDaughter

Sorry that happened. I personally abandoned all MG products a few years back because of problems with fungus gnats, rotting, etc.

If it's Fungal gnats - add a bit of the granular mosquito bit stuff to whatever soil mix or water supply. It's what most hydroponic setups use to take care of that problem. Actually, I'd even recommend adding to potting/seed mix for anyone starting seeds indoors. BTI kills a lot more than just mosquito larvae.

March 30, 2019

So sorry! How frustrating.
Here’s hoping everything goes swimmingly from here out.

biscuitridge · March 30, 2019

If you need a replacement for the 5.63 just let me know. I had really bad issues with black gold potting soil,seeds germinated fine but just sat there without growing for a month, so now I make my own. So disheartening to have happened.

rhines81 · March 30, 2019

I had a bad experience with a MG product (not the starting mix) several years ago, smelled like waste petroleum, not to mention tons of sticks. I don't buy MG products anymore period. As with the other poster above, I use ProMix BX.

hl2601 · March 30, 2019

Ted I am so sorry this happened to you. After you take inventory please post any seeds you need. Lots of people out here to help with seeds if you decide you need them!

GoDawgs · March 31, 2019

More condolences on that tragedy! All that work and care.

A good while ago I used to use MG for seeding, the regular potting mix (not the seed starting mix), but quit when it started changing. More sticks and bark or something in the mix. Occasionally an off odor. Changed back to MetroMix once I found it again.

Hang in there, Ted!

ContainerTed · March 31, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salsacharley

Very strange for Jiffy mix to stink, especially so soon! Sorry you are dealing with this.

Hey, thank you, SalsaCharley. But, it wasn't Jiffy. See the pictures in my next post.

It was Miracle Grow Seed Starting "KILLER" mix.

oakley · March 31, 2019

Ugh, disaster. Condolences.
Seed starting can be the most stressful of the entire season even if all goes well.

I've gone completely over to 1010 trays and coir bricks. I have to start early and over a
4-6 week time frame. Spread out the chore and start back-ups. (watching pepper seeds
sprout and grow is like coaching a turtle running a marathon).

I've had one tray each of the past two years go funk stink or just turn rock solid. Both
times I had run out of coir. Both times sent a family member to get an inside stored bag
of any seed starting mix and ended up with some BS recommended by garden area
worker. I even backed it in the oven. Rocks and looks like I started growing polyester
fiber filling.

ContainerTed · March 31, 2019

Okay, I was up early and finished the damage assessment. Here's the list of what's gone forever and I'm now seedless to do anything about it.

1884 Purple
Ashleigh
Aurora
Chapman
Cherokee Chocolate
Dwarf Metallica
Ed's Millenium
Ferris Wheel
Heatherington Pink
Hege German Pink
Margaret Curtain
Morado Chocolate
Olewar's Big Pink
Portugese Monster
President Garfield
Tekins Bulgarian Pink
Valena Pink

Some of these may be very hard to find now. If you have enough of any of these to be able to share a few, I would appreciate it. Let me know how you want to do it. I can send a SASE, or do a trade, or whatever. Let me know what you may be looking for. Check out my listings at HeritageSeedMarket. If you find something among those, let me know and I'll send you some from here at my home.

I do want to thank everyone for their genuine concerns and words of encouragement, empathy, and sympathy. I hope this tragic kind of thing avoids your efforts forever. It ain't no fun, and that's for sure.

In the pictures below, the first one shows the few I initially saved on the left and the Jiffy comparison tray, which was planted two days after the MG trays, on the right. The second one shows the replanting efforts so far. Note the last of the MG cells in the near left of the tray on the left. I'll get those babies out and be done with MG today.

DSCF0062.JPG

DSCF0063.JPG

ContainerTed · March 31, 2019

Quote:

Originally Posted by biscuitridge

If you need a replacement for the 5.63 just let me know. I had really bad issues with black gold potting soil,seeds germinated fine but just sat there without growing for a month, so now I make my own. So disheartening to have happened.

Each year, I have a very long list of varieties that I call my base list. After I get them in, I use larger plastic containers (at least 1 gallon size) and plant what I call my "Fun" list. So, I had not put that variety in just yet. Those seeds are still safe. They will go in during the replanting effort.

Thanks, Dan, for your concerns and your friendship. Let me know if you need something that I might have.

Rajun Gardener · March 31, 2019

I have seeds for Chapman if you want them. I'm growing 1984 purple this year but don't have any more seeds.

Let me know if you want Chapman seeds and I'll send it out tomorrow.

oakley · March 31, 2019

I have dMetallica. I can put them in the mail tomorrow. pm me address.
Probably have your address...send it just in case.
It performs on the early side so plenty of time for you.

Salsacharley · March 31, 2019

Oh my! Sorry for the "mix" up. I have some Margaret Curtain about 4yrs old, and Cherokee Chocolate. I'll send them your way if you wish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContainerTed

Hey, thank you, SalsaCharley. But, it wasn't Jiffy. See the pictures in my next post.

It was Miracle Grow Seed Starting "KILLER" mix.

March 30, 2019	#17
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	To ~Bee and Marsha, thanks so much. Like Marsha, I will never trust MG again. Once is too many times. By this time tomorrow, I will have a handle on the total impact. I know that I have lost a dozen or more varieties because I used either the last or the only seeds I had. I will post a list of the ones I would like to regain. I spent most of the early part of today just scrubbing trays and cells with bleach and mild soap. The few seedlings that survived have only a 50% chance of making it to the main garden. It's like the stem was "choked" to a thread of what was trying to be a root. I guess the acidity was hugely overpowering. What really blows me away is how fast it went from "all is okay" to "we are dead or dying". I calculate it was no more than 9 hours. This is my third year with the heat mat, so I don't think it was much of a factor in beginning the plunge. I've read a few incidents this year that has mostly involved MG. Perhaps the "roundup" issues are draining their capital and they have loaded up some mix that wasn't quite ready for primetime. I've had no indication of any problem with the Jiffy products so far. It's good that I caught the problem as quick as I did. My diligence has greatly limited the impact. DW has made me get the stinking MG out of her house. Thanks to all for your genuine concerns. I'm trying to let everyone know that I've had the problem I have encountered so that folks may learn from my misfortune. Until proven differently, I will not use MG potting products again. My gut feeling is that the mix was not fully composted. I'll never forget my first impression this morning of "SEWAGE". Well, right now I'm tired and ready for some down time. I wish each and every one of you the best gardens you've ever had. I'll get by just fine. I always do. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

March 31, 2019	#26
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Okay, I was up early and finished the damage assessment. Here's the list of what's gone forever and I'm now seedless to do anything about it. 1884 Purple Ashleigh Aurora Chapman Cherokee Chocolate Dwarf Metallica Ed's Millenium Ferris Wheel Heatherington Pink Hege German Pink Margaret Curtain Morado Chocolate Olewar's Big Pink Portugese Monster President Garfield Tekins Bulgarian Pink Valena Pink Some of these may be very hard to find now. If you have enough of any of these to be able to share a few, I would appreciate it. Let me know how you want to do it. I can send a SASE, or do a trade, or whatever. Let me know what you may be looking for. Check out my listings at HeritageSeedMarket. If you find something among those, let me know and I'll send you some from here at my home. I do want to thank everyone for their genuine concerns and words of encouragement, empathy, and sympathy. I hope this tragic kind of thing avoids your efforts forever. It ain't no fun, and that's for sure. In the pictures below, the first one shows the few I initially saved on the left and the Jiffy comparison tray, which was planted two days after the MG trays, on the right. The second one shows the replanting efforts so far. Note the last of the MG cells in the near left of the tray on the left. I'll get those babies out and be done with MG today. DSCF0062.JPG DSCF0063.JPG __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

March 31, 2019	#28
Rajun Gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Tomato Cornhole Posts: 2,550	I have seeds for Chapman if you want them. I'm growing 1984 purple this year but don't have any more seeds. Let me know if you want Chapman seeds and I'll send it out tomorrow. __________________ Rob

March 30, 2019	#16
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	Such sad awful news. My heart goes out to you. I would be so downtrodden if it happened to me. Get a fan on the survivors pronto. I'll put some more Midnight sun in the Monday mail. It's a different batch. I used MG seed starting potting mix this year and had way more than usual fail. I re-sowed in PromixBX, and they took off. No more seed starting potting mixes for me.

March 30, 2019	#19
PlainJane Guest Posts: n/a	So sorry! How frustrating. Here’s hoping everything goes swimmingly from here out.

March 30, 2019	#20
biscuitridge Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: washington Posts: 499	If you need a replacement for the 5.63 just let me know. I had really bad issues with black gold potting soil,seeds germinated fine but just sat there without growing for a month, so now I make my own. So disheartening to have happened.

March 30, 2019	#21
rhines81 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Zone 5A, Poconos Posts: 959	I had a bad experience with a MG product (not the starting mix) several years ago, smelled like waste petroleum, not to mention tons of sticks. I don't buy MG products anymore period. As with the other poster above, I use ProMix BX.

March 30, 2019	#22
hl2601 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Metro Denver Posts: 770	Ted I am so sorry this happened to you. After you take inventory please post any seeds you need. Lots of people out here to help with seeds if you decide you need them!

March 31, 2019	#23
GoDawgs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Augusta area, Georgia, 8a/7b Posts: 1,685	More condolences on that tragedy! All that work and care. A good while ago I used to use MG for seeding, the regular potting mix (not the seed starting mix), but quit when it started changing. More sticks and bark or something in the mix. Occasionally an off odor. Changed back to MetroMix once I found it again. Hang in there, Ted!

March 31, 2019	#29
oakley Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: NewYork 5a Posts: 2,303	I have dMetallica. I can put them in the mail tomorrow. pm me address. Probably have your address...send it just in case. It performs on the early side so plenty of time for you.