Seed Starting Mix

volare71 · January 28, 2021

I have an easy seed starting mix that uses common ingredients I had in the greenhouse. 1/2 brick of coco coir, 2 cups of vermiculite, 2 cups of perlite.
First decompose the brick of coco coir in a gallon of water and then mix in the vermiculite and perlite. It should be moist but not soaking wet.

I add a cup of Milorganite for minerals and nutrients just because I love Milorganite. I've been using it for fifty years.

Best of luck with this year's germination.

volare71 · January 31, 2021

Report from my seed starting. The mix I recommended is doing it again. Started in paper towels and planted. in 3" X 3" paper pots with my coco coir mix and they're popping up. I use an LED shop light 4 bulb X 2" from 6 PM to 10 PM and from 5 AM to 8 AM to extend daylight hours.

Planting Porter Imp., Roma, Oaxaca pinks, San Marzano, Jalapeno all from seeds I've saved. Some four years old and 90+% gem for all.

PaulF · January 31, 2021

Last year I tried working with a seed starting mix and had results that matched those from the last several times I get convinced by other folks to try it again... sketchy at best. Back to tried and true plain old potting soilless mix. I think the seed starting mixes are too compact and don't allow air gaps (oxygen) to be at the seeds. Potting mixes may have chunks of stuff in it but has worked for me for more than twenty five years and seed starter has failed five of the five times it has been tried.

lj in ny · February 4, 2021

Thank you for posting this! How big is the brick of coco coir? My farm store has 3 different sizes!

January 28, 2021	#1
volare71 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Verde Valley, Az. Posts: 13	Seed Starting Mix I have an easy seed starting mix that uses common ingredients I had in the greenhouse. 1/2 brick of coco coir, 2 cups of vermiculite, 2 cups of perlite. First decompose the brick of coco coir in a gallon of water and then mix in the vermiculite and perlite. It should be moist but not soaking wet. I add a cup of Milorganite for minerals and nutrients just because I love Milorganite. I've been using it for fifty years. Best of luck with this year's germination.

January 31, 2021	#3
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,294	Last year I tried working with a seed starting mix and had results that matched those from the last several times I get convinced by other folks to try it again... sketchy at best. Back to tried and true plain old potting soilless mix. I think the seed starting mixes are too compact and don't allow air gaps (oxygen) to be at the seeds. Potting mixes may have chunks of stuff in it but has worked for me for more than twenty five years and seed starter has failed five of the five times it has been tried. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

February 4, 2021	#4
lj in ny Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NY Posts: 58	Thank you for posting this! How big is the brick of coco coir? My farm store has 3 different sizes!