Diatomaceous Earth as a seed starting medium

tnkrer · February 28, 2014

Planning to use DE as seed starting medium this year. A few questions.

1. I usually let the seeds sprout in a wet paper towel in plastic bag before putting them in starters. Would that be unnecessary? or problematic with DE?
2. I understand that we need to bottom water, however, Do I need to wet the DE in the cells at the beginning? Or is that also done by wicking bottom water? If I wet the DE in the cells when I put seeds in there, How much water to use?
3. What should be the planting depth for the seeds?
4. After the seedlings emerge, I plan to add fert to the water tray. miracle-gro liquid fert - they say 1 teaspoon per gallon for plants. what should be the ratio for this use?

Thanks
(I am still reading the long thread and if/when I find answers, I will answer my own questions in the post, but if you know the answers, please let me know. I am sure that fert question has been answered before. )

ETA: #1 Asked and answered in posts 255 and 256. pre-sprouting should not cause any problems
#2 asked and sorta answered in 285, 286 and 287
#4 discussed in posts 300 and 301, but not answered there

February 28, 2014	#11
tnkrer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: MA 6a/b Posts: 352	Planning to use DE as seed starting medium this year. A few questions. 1. I usually let the seeds sprout in a wet paper towel in plastic bag before putting them in starters. Would that be unnecessary? or problematic with DE? 2. I understand that we need to bottom water, however, Do I need to wet the DE in the cells at the beginning? Or is that also done by wicking bottom water? If I wet the DE in the cells when I put seeds in there, How much water to use? 3. What should be the planting depth for the seeds? 4. After the seedlings emerge, I plan to add fert to the water tray. miracle-gro liquid fert - they say 1 teaspoon per gallon for plants. what should be the ratio for this use? Thanks (I am still reading the long thread and if/when I find answers, I will answer my own questions in the post, but if you know the answers, please let me know. I am sure that fert question has been answered before. ) ETA: #1 Asked and answered in posts 255 and 256. pre-sprouting should not cause any problems #2 asked and sorta answered in 285, 286 and 287 #4 discussed in posts 300 and 301, but not answered there Last edited by tnkrer; February 28, 2014 at 03:59 PM.