re-potting fertilizer

[jamserg]

I haven't settled on a particular way to fertilize tomato plants/seedlings in they last pot (before transplanting). I noticed most nurseries I dealt with use slow release fertilizer. Is this the best way? What amount and brand is proven to be reliable? tia

[roadrunner]

Nurseries want their plants to appear vibrent and very green to attract buyers. I find you get better results from strong plants that are not on growth spurts.

Therefore I do not over fertilize seedlings and young plants until they are put into the garden. When I do use fertilizer for young plants I will use fish emulsion or Epsoma starter at half strength. Both contain micro-nutrients and Epsoma will add Endo & Echo Mycorrhizae to help new plants develop a great root system.

[paulgrow]

I use Peters 20-20-20 water soluble at half strength

[Cole_Robbie]

I use osmocote.

[bower]

I use a pinch of bone meal.

[TightenUp]

another member recommended biobizz bio grow before last season. its a molasses based fertilizer. i use it a couple times before plant out and happy with it. this is my 2nd season using it

i use at half strength

[stenersons]

I use 1/2 promix potting soil and 1/2 dehydrated cow manure. Worked great last year.

[gggeek]

I am a real big fan of Biotone Starter Plus mixed into the potting mix. It helps the plant establish quickly once it's transplanted. The difference this year in my starts that I used it on and those that I did not is proof enough for me. I mixed 1 cup of Biotone with an entire bag of Jiffy seed starting mix which I used to pot up half my plants (the half that is doing extremely well).

[greenthumbomaha]

I experienced the same amazing results as gggeek did with the Espoma. For my second planting I used the Espoma seed starting mix , and potted up in Espoma organic potting mix. The first seedlings started in Schultze seed starting mix and potted up in Dr Earth organic mix just sat there looking ordinary, so I fed with Tomato Thrive and they are catching up. Espoma seedlings get bragging rights.

Since the season is going to be delayed due to cold weather, I'm giving them a weak solution of whatever fertilizers I have on hand. Everything is growing out of their 4 inch pots and needs to go in 1 gal. Planting out is at least two weeks out now and I'm running out of room.

[tam91]

I use miracle grow for tomatoes very dilute (more dilute than the instructions).

[marc_groleau]

Originally Posted by tam91

I use miracle grow for tomatoes very dilute (more dilute than the instructions).

How much diluted?

[PA_Julia]

Originally Posted by roadrunner

Nurseries want their plants to appear vibrent and very green to attract buyers. I find you get better results from strong plants that are not on growth spurts.

Therefore I do not over fertilize seedlings and young plants until they are put into the garden. When I do use fertilizer for young plants I will use fish emulsion or Epsoma starter at half strength. Both contain micro-nutrients and Epsoma will add Endo & Echo Mycorrhizae to help new plants develop a great root system.

I agree with this.

I use fish emulsion diluted to half strength approx. twice prior to planting in ground.

[tlintx]

Originally Posted by gggeek

I am a real big fan of Biotone Starter Plus mixed into the potting mix. It helps the plant establish quickly once it's transplanted. The difference this year in my starts that I used it on and those that I did not is proof enough for me. I mixed 1 cup of Biotone with an entire bag of Jiffy seed starting mix which I used to pot up half my plants (the half that is doing extremely well).

Good to hear, what fertilizer did you use on the half that aren't doing as well?

I am also using fish emulsion at half strength. I use rainwater and bottom water to try and keep on the dry side of moist.

Glad to read this is a preferred method, this is my first year with seedlings and I have no idea if I'm doing things right!

[b54red]

I use Miracle Grow about half strength and every other time I will use fish emulsion at half strength with a little molasses. If I am potting up very young seedlings then I will reduce the strength to about 1/4 the first time I water them.

Bill

[babice]

Hmmm...this is good information. My plants are still in pots and haven't been able to put them out yet. Likely 2 or 3 weeks away from being able to put them out. Haven't fertilized them yet at all, although I did repot them into larger pots last weekend. I was thinking of giving them some fish emulsion with their watering this week. I think I will but will have it be very dilute. Maybe some molasses too.