Fertilizing seedlings

gimmieToms · April 2, 2018

Do you fertilize your seedlings at any point?
I don’t usually, but by the 8th week they start to look a little pale so I’d like to fertilize them this year.
What fertilizer do you use and at what point do you fertilize.
Thanks 🙏

AKmark · April 2, 2018

For me, tiny seedlings get 600ppm, when 4-12 inches or so they get 1200ppm. By the 4th flower truss I am cranking at 1600-1700ppm until the end. This is just a guideline I follow that I got from Hydro Gardens. To check the accuracy I send in leaf samples to Servi Tech labs, my reports have been good in the past.

You will get lots of opinions on this, like everything else, but this is mine and why I came to these conclusions.

Cole_Robbie · April 2, 2018

I didn't know 8 weeks without fertilizer was even possible. I just sprinkle a little Osmocote in the media. It is time-release and won't burn anything. I have tried to use a less-expensive Schultz time-release, but it has a few organic components and gives me damping off in cold weather, as do other organic fertilizers. I realize that products like fish emulsion are very popular, and it works fine, just don't let the plants get below about 50 degrees F.

imp · April 2, 2018

I mostly use a very diluted MG for while they are in the cups, after they get real leaves, then a root booster when I plant out.

ricman · April 2, 2018

I mostly watch the color of the seedlings. When they began to get pale I give them a shot of 1/4 strength fertilizer and they green up in a couple of days.

Rick

gimmieToms · April 3, 2018

Thanks everyone!

zipcode · April 3, 2018

I guess it will depend on your mix. Pretty much all have some fertilizer added but amounts can vary a lot. So when cotyledons start looking a bit paler it's usually a sign you should start feeding a weak concentration.

amideutch · April 3, 2018

Here is a thread I made some posts in concerning the technique and products I used.

Ami

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...ight=seedlings

brownrexx · April 3, 2018

I don't think that it matters what fertilizer is used but I only use 1/2 strength when they are still seedlings in their cups.

I prefer to use an easy to dilute liquid fertilizer.

April 2, 2018	#1
gimmieToms Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: canada Posts: 46	Fertilizing seedlings Do you fertilize your seedlings at any point? I don’t usually, but by the 8th week they start to look a little pale so I’d like to fertilize them this year. What fertilizer do you use and at what point do you fertilize. Thanks 🙏

April 3, 2018	#8
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Here is a thread I made some posts in concerning the technique and products I used. Ami http://www.tomatoville.com/showthrea...ight=seedlings __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

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April 2, 2018	#2
AKmark Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Wasilla Alaska Posts: 2,010	For me, tiny seedlings get 600ppm, when 4-12 inches or so they get 1200ppm. By the 4th flower truss I am cranking at 1600-1700ppm until the end. This is just a guideline I follow that I got from Hydro Gardens. To check the accuracy I send in leaf samples to Servi Tech labs, my reports have been good in the past. You will get lots of opinions on this, like everything else, but this is mine and why I came to these conclusions.

April 2, 2018	#3
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I didn't know 8 weeks without fertilizer was even possible. I just sprinkle a little Osmocote in the media. It is time-release and won't burn anything. I have tried to use a less-expensive Schultz time-release, but it has a few organic components and gives me damping off in cold weather, as do other organic fertilizers. I realize that products like fish emulsion are very popular, and it works fine, just don't let the plants get below about 50 degrees F.

April 2, 2018	#4
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	I mostly use a very diluted MG for while they are in the cups, after they get real leaves, then a root booster when I plant out.

April 2, 2018	#5
ricman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ardmore,Oklahoma Posts: 172	I mostly watch the color of the seedlings. When they began to get pale I give them a shot of 1/4 strength fertilizer and they green up in a couple of days. Rick

April 3, 2018	#7
zipcode Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Romania/Germany , z 4-6 Posts: 1,582	I guess it will depend on your mix. Pretty much all have some fertilizer added but amounts can vary a lot. So when cotyledons start looking a bit paler it's usually a sign you should start feeding a weak concentration.

April 3, 2018	#9
brownrexx Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Southeastern PA Posts: 1,420	I don't think that it matters what fertilizer is used but I only use 1/2 strength when they are still seedlings in their cups. I prefer to use an easy to dilute liquid fertilizer.