Seed medium test

[Ken4230]

Originally Posted by RayR

I've been experimenting with DE for a few seasons, but never experimented with vermiculite much so it'll be interesting how this shakes out as far as root growth and overall seedling health in comparison.

I've used vermiculite with Jiffy Mix for several years. I don't have an exact ratio, a guess would be 2.5 to 1. When it looks and feels right, i sow the seeds in the mix. i have had really good luck with this mix.

I tried replacing part of the vermiculite with DE a couple of years ago and can't tell much difference. This year, i have a few plants in straight DE, some in 50/50 DE and Jiffy Mix and some in a 3 to 1 Jiffy/DE mix.

I am still using Jiffy/vermiculite mix for most of my plants, mainly because i like the look and feel of it. If the DE seedlings do well, i may try a combination of all three. I do use Ultrasorb in all my raised beds.

Ken

[ginger2778]

Originally Posted by tqn626

I fed them all a diluted Fish hydrolysate/humic acid/ fulvic acid mix.

Let do a cost breakdown,

Vermiculite was 2 cu feet for $20 at home depot. Cheaper if you buy from farm supply store. Could substitute Perlite probably for 4 cubic feet for 10 dollars.

Cocoir was 9 dollars for 2-2.5 Cubic Feet

LGM potting soil was 10 dollar 2- cubic feet.

Empire Builder Potting soil 16 dollar per 2 cubic feet.


I would go with a coco coir/Vermiculite mix. It's cost effective. I would think the coco coir alone would hold up too much water. Not to mention the coco coir has a habit of robbing calcium and Magnesium. It would seem the coco coir would maintain better heat retention due to the fibers but that my speculation, i didn't have a thermometer.

When fluffing up the coco coir i made sure to rinse it out repeatedly 3-4 times. I also added Dolomite lime to the mix. You can use Gysum and epsom salt.

I will take pictures of the roots when im repotting later today.

Very much looking forward to those root development photos.

Marsha

[tqn626]

Here are some root pictures.



Probably should of waiting a little longer to repot. I only repotted about 8 of them for now.

[tqn626]

3/6/14 I planted a couple into cups. Here are the ones left waiting for potting. Going to do it tomorrow.

[Timomac]

Great stuff!! My inner science guy is really enjoying this!!

[sergeant69]

Originally Posted by Timomac

Great stuff!! My inner science guy is really enjoying this!!

my inner science guy consists of spongebob making crabby patties. I wish I could understand half of the mixes/sprays/mediums/ chemical analysis I read about on this site.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by sergeant69

my inner science guy consists of spongebob making crabby patties. I wish I could understand half of the mixes/sprays/mediums/ chemical analysis I read about on this site.

I know how you feel, I think some of it is a bit much.

Worth

[tqn626]

3/15/14



These are the ones i kept inside. The rest are all outside now.

[nnjjohn]

Very cool looking pics.. I just want to say.. my seedlings germinated within 5 days using miracle grow seed starter potting mix.. it is not potting mix .. it is basically fortified peat seedling mix.. why they use the term potting mix with seedling mix I don't know.. what I do know from experience is potting soil is a no no for starting from seed. So far so good using this mg seed starter.. another thing the instructions don't instruct you right about thoroughly mixing (i used gloves) by hand with water because it is peat and very none absorbant as a dry mix,,once moistened though .. it stays good and doesn't dry out like typical heavier potting mix which is not recommended for seed starter.