Fertilisation after germination - how soon?

huntsman · August 29, 2011

I have planted seeds into sterile grow mix, and would like to know at what point in the seedling's development I should introduce plant food / ferts?

(It will be organic)

PS Welcome back, Spring - we missed you down here...!

Marymcp · August 29, 2011

I wait until they have at least one set of true leaves and dilute the fertilizer/water ratio greatly. Just a few drops of fert in a gallon of water. You can kill the seedlings quickly with too much fert. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

raindrops27 · August 29, 2011

How cool South Africa.

I hear a lot of people hold off on fertilizing, until potting up. However, I am no expert. This is what I have done, and it works just fine.

huntsman · August 30, 2011

Yes, I am normally slower to add ferts, but I'm concerned that the sterile grow mix might be insufficient for sustained growth.

remy · August 30, 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by huntsman

Yes, I am normally slower to add ferts, but I'm concerned that the sterile grow mix might be insufficient for sustained growth.

Don't worry about it. I don't add fertilizer, and they always do fine.
Remy

Zana · August 30, 2011

I don't add fertiliser until I'm transferring seedlings into the pots/containers. Then I add compost and a slow release fertiliser when I mix up my "soil mix" at that time.

huntsman · August 30, 2011

Great -

Thank you!

August 29, 2011	#1
huntsman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa - GrowZone 9 Posts: 595	Fertilisation after germination - how soon? I have planted seeds into sterile grow mix, and would like to know at what point in the seedling's development I should introduce plant food / ferts? (It will be organic) PS Welcome back, Spring - we missed you down here...!

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August 29, 2011	#2
Marymcp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 42	I wait until they have at least one set of true leaves and dilute the fertilizer/water ratio greatly. Just a few drops of fert in a gallon of water. You can kill the seedlings quickly with too much fert. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

August 29, 2011	#3
raindrops27 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: long island Posts: 327	How cool South Africa. I hear a lot of people hold off on fertilizing, until potting up. However, I am no expert. This is what I have done, and it works just fine.

August 30, 2011	#4
huntsman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Johannesburg, South Africa - GrowZone 9 Posts: 595	Yes, I am normally slower to add ferts, but I'm concerned that the sterile grow mix might be insufficient for sustained growth.

August 30, 2011	#6
Zana Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Southwestern Ontario, Canada Posts: 4,521	I don't add fertiliser until I'm transferring seedlings into the pots/containers. Then I add compost and a slow release fertiliser when I mix up my "soil mix" at that time.