Need suggestions for fertilizer

gunrunner · March 1, 2015

Greetings from Presleyville!

What do you use for fertilizer for seedlings, and when do you start to use it? Also, how much is advisable for small plants? Should I try a powder to mix with water or something else? I can get Tomatotone here but not sure if that is the right thing. Your advise would be helpful.

Thanks
Mike
Memphis

RayR · March 1, 2015

A lot of people ask that question and as usual they’ll get a multitude of different answers based on the preferences of each grower. The first thing you’ve got to consider for yourself is what you are starting with as far as a seed starting mix. If you purchased a seed starting mix what does the manufacturer say about its ingredients? Is it an organic mix or a mix with a light starter charge of chemical salt fertilizers? Does it have any biologically active ingredients like compost or worm castings that would add nutritional value as well as beneficial microorganisms for a growing seedling? Many manufactures will design a seed starting mix with some fertilizer value so when a seedling exhausts its nutrient content from the seed the new roots will have available nutrients to take up for a few weeks after.

The second consideration is what kind of growing style do you want to use. Do you want to grow organically or with synthetic chemical salts or even both? Once you've answered those questions for yourself, then it will be a lot easier for folks to make recommendations.

Redbaron · March 1, 2015

I use aquarium water on seedlings. They don't need much else. Tomato tone, Texas tomato food etc... etc ad infinitum compost and such are good for once the seedlings hit the soil IMHO. Too easy to over fertilize seedlings. Best to take it easy at least till the baby leaves drop.

crazyoldgooseman · March 1, 2015

After mine have a few true leaves I give them 1/2 strength Miracle grow or other water soluble fertilizer about once a week. I'm not sure they need it but it makes me feel better.

Stvrob · March 1, 2015

usually I don't fertilize them at all until they are in the ground. Last year was an exception, as I had to put off setting them out more than three weeks because of the weather, so I gave them a bit of liquid mix while they were waiting. Peter's tomato food something like that. The mix is red colored.

ScottinAtlanta · March 1, 2015

I fertilize with a VERY WEAK kelp mix once they are potted up, and very 10 days after. VERY WEAK!

Cole_Robbie · March 2, 2015

Alaskan Fish or Fish Emulsion is a popular choice. It's forgiving if you use too much.

I have good results with "blue stuff," which can be Miracle Grow or any other brand, but it works because I know to use only a teeny-tiny amount. People run into problems by using too much.

Osmocote is another very popular fertilizer. I have used it a lot. It is in the form of pellets that are coated so they release their nutrients over 3-6 months. Even if the plant isn't going to stay in the pot that long, the Osmocote will become lodged in the root ball and continue to feed the seedling after transplant into the garden.

amideutch · March 2, 2015

Here is a link that might interest.

Ami

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=22165

Worth1 · March 2, 2015

Use one big package of Miracle Grow fertilizer to 1 gallon of water.

Water small plants thoroughly one time.

Your plants will die 100 times faster than the next leading brand.
You should see results over night.

Worth

Patihum · March 2, 2015

I feed mine fish emulsion solution for the first time when I up pot them from the starter trays.

March 1, 2015	#1
gunrunner Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: memphis tn Posts: 81	Need suggestions for fertilizer Greetings from Presleyville! What do you use for fertilizer for seedlings, and when do you start to use it? Also, how much is advisable for small plants? Should I try a powder to mix with water or something else? I can get Tomatotone here but not sure if that is the right thing. Your advise would be helpful. Thanks Mike Memphis

March 1, 2015	#2
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	A lot of people ask that question and as usual they’ll get a multitude of different answers based on the preferences of each grower. The first thing you’ve got to consider for yourself is what you are starting with as far as a seed starting mix. If you purchased a seed starting mix what does the manufacturer say about its ingredients? Is it an organic mix or a mix with a light starter charge of chemical salt fertilizers? Does it have any biologically active ingredients like compost or worm castings that would add nutritional value as well as beneficial microorganisms for a growing seedling? Many manufactures will design a seed starting mix with some fertilizer value so when a seedling exhausts its nutrient content from the seed the new roots will have available nutrients to take up for a few weeks after. The second consideration is what kind of growing style do you want to use. Do you want to grow organically or with synthetic chemical salts or even both? Once you've answered those questions for yourself, then it will be a lot easier for folks to make recommendations. Last edited by RayR; March 1, 2015 at 07:17 PM.

March 1, 2015	#3
Redbaron Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 4,488	I use aquarium water on seedlings. They don't need much else. Tomato tone, Texas tomato food etc... etc ad infinitum compost and such are good for once the seedlings hit the soil IMHO. Too easy to over fertilize seedlings. Best to take it easy at least till the baby leaves drop. __________________ Scott AKA The Redbaron "Permaculture is a philosophy of working with, rather than against nature; of protracted & thoughtful observation rather than protracted & thoughtless labour; & of looking at plants & animals in all their functions, rather than treating any area as a single-product system." Bill Mollison co-founder of permaculture

March 1, 2015	#4
crazyoldgooseman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Southern Maryland 7a Posts: 200	After mine have a few true leaves I give them 1/2 strength Miracle grow or other water soluble fertilizer about once a week. I'm not sure they need it but it makes me feel better. __________________ Anybody see where I sat my beer? -crazyoldgooseman

March 2, 2015	#8
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Here is a link that might interest. Ami http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=22165 __________________ 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!'

March 1, 2015	#5
Stvrob Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,413	usually I don't fertilize them at all until they are in the ground. Last year was an exception, as I had to put off setting them out more than three weeks because of the weather, so I gave them a bit of liquid mix while they were waiting. Peter's tomato food something like that. The mix is red colored.

March 1, 2015	#6
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	I fertilize with a VERY WEAK kelp mix once they are potted up, and very 10 days after. VERY WEAK!

March 2, 2015	#7
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Alaskan Fish or Fish Emulsion is a popular choice. It's forgiving if you use too much. I have good results with "blue stuff," which can be Miracle Grow or any other brand, but it works because I know to use only a teeny-tiny amount. People run into problems by using too much. Osmocote is another very popular fertilizer. I have used it a lot. It is in the form of pellets that are coated so they release their nutrients over 3-6 months. Even if the plant isn't going to stay in the pot that long, the Osmocote will become lodged in the root ball and continue to feed the seedling after transplant into the garden.

March 2, 2015	#9
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Use one big package of Miracle Grow fertilizer to 1 gallon of water. Water small plants thoroughly one time. Your plants will die 100 times faster than the next leading brand. You should see results over night. Worth

March 2, 2015	#10
Patihum Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Southeast Kansas Posts: 878	I feed mine fish emulsion solution for the first time when I up pot them from the starter trays.