Diatomaceous Earth as a seed starting medium - Page 54

Ricky Shaw · August 2, 2017

I like that it has as good or better germination than the peat/coir starting mixes and it reduces or eliminates damping off. It's hard to over-water and cheap, it's free of herbicides, easy to work with and very little compaction.

I use it to test germination rates a lot. Mostly when sowing multiple seeds per cell and not so much for transplanting, because the roots are hard for my gnarled fingers to separate.

Rockporter · August 2, 2017

I remember the roots being hard to separate for me too. I have decided to mix some DE in the jiffy mix I bought because it is just too wet. So, I am going to fill the sand pail about 2/3 full with my mels mix which has peat in it. Then I'll add a very good layer of jiffy mix with DE mixed into it. Then put a layer of DE on top, plant those seeds and put some more DE right on top of them. I think I will have a great way to grow the seedlings out and only transplant when I put them out into the garden.

BigVanVader · August 2, 2017

DE rocks, I tell anyone with seed starting issues to use it. When I get done I add all mine to the compost as silica is good for plants.

Father'sDaughter · August 2, 2017

Given the root development, I think DE definitely works better when you do a single seed in a separate cell. I started mine in egg cartons with the fine DE this year, then moved them to small pots with the course DE after they had their first true leaves. I found the course DE so much easier to work with than the fine stuff, and it stays cleaner which makes reusing it easier as well.

While I did up-pot most with Wondersoil, I had a few extras that I was not intending to plant. They got left in their small pots of course DE, fed and watered regularly, for an extra four weeks. Then after I pulled the garlic at the end of June, I decided to plant them -- five dwarf project plants, one pepper, and two eggplants.

They had super dense root systems which I loosened up by gently shaking out the DE (easier to do with the course type), and they practically tripled in size within a week! They have all caught up to my earlier plant outs in both size and fruit set.

I'm seriously considering skipping the Wondersoil up-potting step for all of them next year.

BigVanVader · August 2, 2017

I only use the big granular size and my seeds germinate perfectly. Never had an issue and I've been doing it for years. I use Craig's method with DE and no issues. Just have to fertilize. It works 100%.

Rockporter · August 2, 2017

Maybe I'll experiment using just DE in some of the containers. I bought some trays from Walmart last night thinking I could get three sand pails to fit inside it but only two will fit. So, I pulled out some 18 oz party cups that already had holes drilled in the bottoms of them and can get 7 per tray. I am going this route instead.

This is what I bought at walmart, they are for plant pot protection of furniture. These are tall and the cups won't fall over in them. Some will sit a teeny bit sideways because it isn't a perfect fit, but I can always right them in the tray.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Gardener-...746#about-item

Rockporter · August 6, 2017

My Brandy Wine Pink has germinated in only three days in my layered mix. There is activity on the Mortgage Lifter as well, just hasn't broke through the DE yet.

Updating this:

The Mortgage Lifter has broken the surface already.

I seeded BWP and ML on 8/2/17, making it only three days for germination.

Update:

Bush Beefsteak and Abe Lincoln have both broken the surface.

These were also planted on 8/2/17, making it 6 days for germination.

Rockporter · August 9, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockporter

My Brandy Wine Pink has germinated in only three days in my layered mix. There is activity on the Mortgage Lifter as well, just hasn't broke through the DE yet.

Updating this:

The Mortgage Lifter has broken the surface already.

I seeded BWP and ML on 8/2/17, making it only three days for germination.

Update:

Bush Beefsteak and Abe Lincoln have both broken the surface.

These were also planted on 8/2/17, making it 6 days for germination.

New Update:

Atkinson has broken the surface.

This was also planted on 8/2/17.

Rockporter · August 13, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockporter

New Update:

Atkinson has broken the surface.

This was also planted on 8/2/17.

The other Atkinson broke the surface on 8/10/17

Both Atkinsons are helmet heads and the stems don't seem to be very green. They are hydrated though so I will keep watch.

hl2601 · January 31, 2018

Bumping this thread-its seed starting time again!

rockyonekc · January 31, 2018

I picked up some floor dry from autozone hoping it is the same as the ultrasorb they previously carried.

Father'sDaughter · February 1, 2018

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockyonekc

I picked up some floor dry from autozone hoping it is the same as the ultrasorb they previously carried.

Just check the contents listing on the bag and make sure it lists 100% DE before you use it for seeds.

RayR · February 11, 2018

They have Floor Dry DE at Autozone now? Are the granules larger than the Ultrasorb version they were selling?

https://epminerals.com/products/floor-dry

Ricky Shaw · February 11, 2018

Ray,

The bag in the link is the epmineral product I have from 2016. The chips are mostly 1/8" and range 1/16 to 1/4. It worked okay for me and seems like it was about $9 a bag.

rockyonekc · February 11, 2018

Ultrasorb on bottom, new AutoZone Floor Dry on top. Granual sizes look similar.

August 2, 2017	#797
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	I remember the roots being hard to separate for me too. I have decided to mix some DE in the jiffy mix I bought because it is just too wet. So, I am going to fill the sand pail about 2/3 full with my mels mix which has peat in it. Then I'll add a very good layer of jiffy mix with DE mixed into it. Then put a layer of DE on top, plant those seeds and put some more DE right on top of them. I think I will have a great way to grow the seedlings out and only transplant when I put them out into the garden. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

August 2, 2017	#801
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	Maybe I'll experiment using just DE in some of the containers. I bought some trays from Walmart last night thinking I could get three sand pails to fit inside it but only two will fit. So, I pulled out some 18 oz party cups that already had holes drilled in the bottoms of them and can get 7 per tray. I am going this route instead. This is what I bought at walmart, they are for plant pot protection of furniture. These are tall and the cups won't fall over in them. Some will sit a teeny bit sideways because it isn't a perfect fit, but I can always right them in the tray. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Gardener-...746#about-item __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

August 6, 2017	#802
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	My Brandy Wine Pink has germinated in only three days in my layered mix. There is activity on the Mortgage Lifter as well, just hasn't broke through the DE yet. Updating this: The Mortgage Lifter has broken the surface already. I seeded BWP and ML on 8/2/17, making it only three days for germination. Update: Bush Beefsteak and Abe Lincoln have both broken the surface. These were also planted on 8/2/17, making it 6 days for germination. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~ Last edited by Rockporter; August 8, 2017 at 06:06 AM.

January 31, 2018	#806
rockyonekc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Zone 5b - Blue Springs, MO Posts: 78	Diatomaceous Earth as a seed starting medium I picked up some floor dry from autozone hoping it is the same as the ultrasorb they previously carried. Last edited by rockyonekc; January 31, 2018 at 10:56 PM.

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August 2, 2017	#796
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	I like that it has as good or better germination than the peat/coir starting mixes and it reduces or eliminates damping off. It's hard to over-water and cheap, it's free of herbicides, easy to work with and very little compaction. I use it to test germination rates a lot. Mostly when sowing multiple seeds per cell and not so much for transplanting, because the roots are hard for my gnarled fingers to separate.

August 2, 2017	#798
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	DE rocks, I tell anyone with seed starting issues to use it. When I get done I add all mine to the compost as silica is good for plants.

August 2, 2017	#799
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	Given the root development, I think DE definitely works better when you do a single seed in a separate cell. I started mine in egg cartons with the fine DE this year, then moved them to small pots with the course DE after they had their first true leaves. I found the course DE so much easier to work with than the fine stuff, and it stays cleaner which makes reusing it easier as well. While I did up-pot most with Wondersoil, I had a few extras that I was not intending to plant. They got left in their small pots of course DE, fed and watered regularly, for an extra four weeks. Then after I pulled the garlic at the end of June, I decided to plant them -- five dwarf project plants, one pepper, and two eggplants. They had super dense root systems which I loosened up by gently shaking out the DE (easier to do with the course type), and they practically tripled in size within a week! They have all caught up to my earlier plant outs in both size and fruit set. I'm seriously considering skipping the Wondersoil up-potting step for all of them next year.

August 2, 2017	#800
BigVanVader Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Greenville, South Carolina Posts: 3,099	I only use the big granular size and my seeds germinate perfectly. Never had an issue and I've been doing it for years. I use Craig's method with DE and no issues. Just have to fertilize. It works 100%.

January 31, 2018	#805
hl2601 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Metro Denver Posts: 770	Bumping this thread-its seed starting time again!

February 11, 2018	#808
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	They have Floor Dry DE at Autozone now? Are the granules larger than the Ultrasorb version they were selling? https://epminerals.com/products/floor-dry

February 11, 2018	#809
Ricky Shaw Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro Posts: 1,910	Ray, The bag in the link is the epmineral product I have from 2016. The chips are mostly 1/8" and range 1/16 to 1/4. It worked okay for me and seems like it was about $9 a bag.

February 11, 2018	#810
rockyonekc Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Zone 5b - Blue Springs, MO Posts: 78	Ultrasorb on bottom, new AutoZone Floor Dry on top. Granual sizes look similar.