Seed starting 101

ZBQ · March 28, 2006

Ok guys,
I am sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find it. Could you guys point me to info on seed starting or just tell me what you're methods are? I bought some of those expandable peat bisquits at Wally World in a little plastic greenhouse looking thing. Will that work? I will be starting basil too.

Thanks guys! 8)

**carolyn137** · March 28, 2006

Neil,

I looked here and can't find it, but for general seed sowing there's an excellent FAQ at gardenweb that several of us were involved with writing. So you get lots of folks ideas/opinions all in one place.

Suze put the link here somewhere, but I can't find it. And I could go and get those links for you but it's a pain b'c I'm on AOL and have to minimize it to go to IE to get here and I'm just not up to it.

So go to gardenweb.com and on the Home page look for the Growing Tomatoes Forum. When you get there look at the top of the first page for the blue FAQ link. When you get to the FAQ's you'll find the seed starting one, a good one on cross pollination, another new one of leaf forms and another one on blossom end rot. Don't pay attention to the list of varieties one b'c it's way out of date.

You can read at GW but if you want to post you have to register, which is no big deal.

So I really think it would be good to read that seed starting FAQ first.

Speaking for my self, I hate what I think you're calling Jiffy pellets.

ZBQ · March 28, 2006

Thanks Carolyn!!
I will be checking out those articles.

What is your preferred medium for seed gemination?

ZBQ · March 28, 2006

Also, why do you hate the Jiffy pellets? I am just asking so I know why not to get them again. I might still be able to take them back if I really need to since I haven't used them yet.

Suze · March 29, 2006

I agree with Carolyn about the peat pellets. The main reason I don't care for them is because it's hard to keep a proper moisture level -- seems like they are either too wet or too dry.

The problem (to my mind) is that they are all peat, with no vermiculite or perlite in the mix to lighten it. And peat by itself, can be rather dense and soggy when wet. Peat also tends to be rather hydrophobic (hard to wet) when allowed to dry out.

If you can take them back for a refund and get some good soilless seed starting mix (would be primarily a mix of peat, vermiculite, perlite, wetting agent, and limestone) go for it.

I just pick up a bale of ProMix, chip off what I need, and use it for seed starting, or you can use a bag of Jiffy mix, Metro Mix, etc.

Here's the seed starting FAQ C. was talking about--
http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/t...135020413.html

matermama · April 25, 2006

hello
just a thought on the peats. I used them and am now finding it hard to transplant, the roots stick and tear off. I dont' know if that is a reall problem but , i think i will stick to dixie( no pun inteded lol) or the ol styrophom cups.

matermama

March 28, 2006	#1
ZBQ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 170	Seed starting 101 Ok guys, I am sure this has been asked before but I couldn't find it. Could you guys point me to info on seed starting or just tell me what you're methods are? I bought some of those expandable peat bisquits at Wally World in a little plastic greenhouse looking thing. Will that work? I will be starting basil too. Thanks guys! 8) __________________ "To wander this country and this world looking for the best barbecue — and never actually finding it would be a life well spent, a delicious journey in which enlightenment comes with the search — not the arrival." - Anthony Bourdain

March 28, 2006	#2
carolyn137 Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Upstate NY, zone 4b/5a Posts: 21,169	Neil, I looked here and can't find it, but for general seed sowing there's an excellent FAQ at gardenweb that several of us were involved with writing. So you get lots of folks ideas/opinions all in one place. Suze put the link here somewhere, but I can't find it. And I could go and get those links for you but it's a pain b'c I'm on AOL and have to minimize it to go to IE to get here and I'm just not up to it. So go to gardenweb.com and on the Home page look for the Growing Tomatoes Forum. When you get there look at the top of the first page for the blue FAQ link. When you get to the FAQ's you'll find the seed starting one, a good one on cross pollination, another new one of leaf forms and another one on blossom end rot. Don't pay attention to the list of varieties one b'c it's way out of date. You can read at GW but if you want to post you have to register, which is no big deal. So I really think it would be good to read that seed starting FAQ first. Speaking for my self, I hate what I think you're calling Jiffy pellets. __________________ Carolyn

March 28, 2006	#3
ZBQ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 170	Thanks Carolyn!! I will be checking out those articles. What is your preferred medium for seed gemination? __________________ "To wander this country and this world looking for the best barbecue — and never actually finding it would be a life well spent, a delicious journey in which enlightenment comes with the search — not the arrival." - Anthony Bourdain

March 28, 2006	#4
ZBQ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 170	Also, why do you hate the Jiffy pellets? I am just asking so I know why not to get them again. I might still be able to take them back if I really need to since I haven't used them yet. __________________ "To wander this country and this world looking for the best barbecue — and never actually finding it would be a life well spent, a delicious journey in which enlightenment comes with the search — not the arrival." - Anthony Bourdain

April 25, 2006	#6
matermama Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Saint Paris, OH Posts: 143	peat pellets hello just a thought on the peats. I used them and am now finding it hard to transplant, the roots stick and tear off. I dont' know if that is a reall problem but , i think i will stick to dixie( no pun inteded lol) or the ol styrophom cups. matermama

March 29, 2006	#5
Suze Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 3,027	I agree with Carolyn about the peat pellets. The main reason I don't care for them is because it's hard to keep a proper moisture level -- seems like they are either too wet or too dry. The problem (to my mind) is that they are all peat, with no vermiculite or perlite in the mix to lighten it. And peat by itself, can be rather dense and soggy when wet. Peat also tends to be rather hydrophobic (hard to wet) when allowed to dry out. If you can take them back for a refund and get some good soilless seed starting mix (would be primarily a mix of peat, vermiculite, perlite, wetting agent, and limestone) go for it. I just pick up a bale of ProMix, chip off what I need, and use it for seed starting, or you can use a bag of Jiffy mix, Metro Mix, etc. Here's the seed starting FAQ C. was talking about-- http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/t...135020413.html