HELP HELP HELP HELP

[333.okh]

Well I REALLY need your HELP with ideas and comments on a soil I am experimenting with for germinating/sprouting.

I have too many issues with peat based soil compacting and too much unknown materials in other mixes. I tried this mix recently with hot peppers, sweet peppers, okra, and tomatoes and as long as I keep an eye on it for moisture under the grow lamps [yes it poured rain here today and we still have not had spring] then it seems to do well/////.....PLEASE GIVE ME CAUTIONS OR IDEAS?

Coconut Coir Back to Earth 3
Peat Moss Gardner & Bloome 1/2
Fine Fir Bark Black Gold 1
Worm Castings/Compost Soil Mender 1/2
Forest Humus Denali Gold 1/2
Fine Perlite Black Gold 3
Vermiculite Hoffman 1/2
Oyster Shell Grit Manna 1/2
Crushed Granite Purina 1/2

[Stepheninky]

I like the fir bark its spongy and holds water well for me. I usually just buy the plugs for seed starting. I did a youtube video comparing the results Vs the jiffy pods and the fir bark plugs won hands down

[333.okh]

Originally Posted by Stepheninky

I like the fir bark its spongy and holds water well for me. I usually just buy the plugs for seed starting. I did a youtube video comparing the results Vs the jiffy pods and the fir bark plugs won hands down

What type of plug mix are u using that used bark...maybe I am wasting my time?

[Stepheninky]

They are pre made plugs called Super Plugs, though there are several brands root riot plugs, and many more. They are made from fir bark and have a small amount of lime added as well as soil microbes a beneficial myco type fungus and bacteria.

Here is the video where I compare them to the jiffy plugs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLRH0SGLQtE

[fortyonenorth]

Hey Stephen. Nice video and great to put a face with your name!

[333.okh]

Like the video as well....So far all of the store bought mixes are too heavy to the peat and I have issues with them an hot peppers especially.

[Stepheninky]

Originally Posted by 333.okh

Like the video as well....So far all of the store bought mixes are too heavy to the peat and I have issues with them an hot peppers especially.

That has been my experience as well with my sweet peppers. Most mixes that are over 50% peat and just do not seem to do as well. It is like they are always either too wet or too dry. I have also used shifted leaf compost and had fairly good results with peppers as well. (though that could possible introduce harmful bacteria or fungus to your inside grow area so keep that in mind) As long as it stays loose and does not pack most things can work. Some people use cotton balls or poly fil and wet it with a weak fert solution. (the polly has a biodegradability of like zero so that might be a concern)

I have tried all kinds of strange media. One of the epic fail medias I tried was jello.

[333.okh]

Thanks for the help.

I talked to a local grower...not of veggies! LOL He suggested I look at mushroom compost and worm castings carefully. I have done some revisions and will test on seeds soon.

[dice]

5 parts coir, 2 parts worm castings, and 1 part perlite worked well
for me. (Only hangup is that you need a lot of worm castings. A
small worm bin fed kitchen wastes just does not keep up.)