OPINIONS WANTED - Best medium to start seedlings in?

[justatoker]

In your opinions, what is the best medium to put germinated seeds into to ensure the best resuts ( IE- sprouting ) ?

Soil? Rockwool? ETC ETC ?

thanks

 

[smppro]

Peat moss for me, very spungy, add a little perlite and your set

 

[dusty26]

I use A potting soil called "Hyponex" I swear by it...
mix it with perlite
1 part perlite, 3 parts "Hyponex" shit is the best... 1.99 a 40 lb bag ...

 

[Pazzo]

Theres a good "seed starting soil" at both lowes or home depot.. although they always seem out. I mix it with 1/3 perlite as well.

 

[Little Tommy]

Any soil that is neutral (no nutes in it) hould be good. I mix with perlite to make it nice and airy. 2 parts soil and 1 part perlite. Seed sprouts do not need nutrition yet.

 

[justatoker]

thx for the replies.. So far I am 2 for 12 getting seeds to sprout using FF happy frog soil.Needless to say this IS NOT acceptable.

smppro do you mean this ? > http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100618125

I cant find any hyponex locally dusty..and the shipping cost is outragous on the ones online.. Any other suggestions?

Also this is the only perlite I can find locally ( again, shipping prices on soil etc is terrible ) is this > http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?jspStoreDir=hdus&catalogId=10053&productId=100355951&navFlow=3&keyword=perlite&langId=-1&searchRedirect=perlite&storeId=10051&endecaDataBean=com.homedepot.sa.el.wc.catalog.beans.EndecaDataBean%405d52d30d&ddkey=Search any good?

Im sure it isnt any good as it has MG nutes in it.. Any comments?

thanks

 

[justatoker]

yea tommy, but the problem seems to be finding soil w/out any nutes in it locally. I drove an hour both ways to purchase some happy frog, but probably wont be taking that trip again to get something else.

 

[Pazzo]

You have no lowes or home depot? They have a seed starting soil which is perfect.. I suggest calling ahead of time to make sure it's in stock tho, unless it's close. lol

 

[justatoker]

yea I have both close by.. I do not see that on either of there sites though..Do you have a link?

thanks

 

[smokinHerbOnDaCurb]

In your opinions, what is the best medium to put germinated seeds into to ensure the best resuts ( IE- sprouting ) ?

Soil? Rockwool? ETC ETC ?

thanks

I use rock wool to start the plant hydro then sow it into a mixture of vermaculite and perlite worm castings and a little sand for draining. rockwool is cheap and easy to moniter how your little seedling is growing,and it is easy to maintain the ph.

 

[justatoker]

thanks.. I forgot to add that I am going to be using soil ( the Happy Frog ) after the seedling phase . But i'm just having terrible luck getting any seeds to sprout. I have 2 germed seeds that went into the soil at the same time as my 2 that did sprout and its been over a week and I checked them and there has been NO growth of the taproot at all.Its the same size as the day I put them in ( about 1-2mm long ). The only 2 ( out of 12 ) that did sprout did so within 36 hours.

 

[dusty26]

well you could always use perlite and vermiculite bud ?
oh hey do you have a dollar general near by ?
they have a great potting soil with added perlite, (NO NUTES) ... it's like 2 bucks a bag

 

[Pazzo]

yea I have both close by.. I do not see that on either of there sites though..Do you have a link?

thanks

I don't see it, but you should call and ask. My local lowes has it on the shelf, but it's just a blank space. It seems like it's a 50/50 chance they'll have it in stock. I like the one at Home Depot more, they have the Scotts brand instead of MG.. which is fine btw.

 

[smokinHerbOnDaCurb]

You can find rook wool at any gardening seller. You do not have to worry about nutes if you start you plant hydro just make sure you check the ph .

 

[dusty26]

^^^ I hate this stupid add that pops up all the damn time... ^^^

 

[smokinHerbOnDaCurb]

thanks.. I forgot to add that I am going to be using soil ( the Happy Frog ) after the seedling phase . But i'm just having terrible luck getting any seeds to sprout.

Try Germinating the seed before you put it into the soil. Just get a plate, paper towel and a bowl that is bigger than the plat. Put the paper towel on the plate and just moisten with Distilled water9to prevent males0 and put the bowl over the plate to keep any light out and maintain a temp between 70-80 degres. Happy Growing

 

[justatoker]

the ONLY perlite I can find at lowes or depot is the MG perlite w/ nutes. And I also do not see any scotts w/out ferts either.

thanks

 

[justatoker]

Try Germinating the seed before you put it into the soil. Just get a plate, paper towel and a bowl that is bigger than the plat. Put the paper towel on the plate and just moisten with Distilled water9to prevent males0 and put the bowl over the plate to keep any light out and maintain a temp between 70-80 degres. Happy Growing

yes I did.. they all cracked and had taproots about 1-2mm long.. thats as long as they would get even after 4-5 days. I even soaked them in distilled water for 24hrs and they all sunk and most cracked in the water. ALL seeds were femenized seeds also btw. they were 4 sep strains also.The 2 that did sprout are lowlife autoAK's

 

[smokinHerbOnDaCurb]

thanks.. I forgot to add that I am going to be using soil ( the Happy Frog ) after the seedling phase . But i'm just having terrible luck getting any seeds to sprout. I have 2 germed seeds that went into the soil at the same time as my 2 that did sprout and its been over a week and I checked them and there has been NO growth of the taproot at all.Its the same size as the day I put them in ( about 1-2mm long ). The only 2 ( out of 12 ) that did sprout did so within 36 hours.

It could be because you are overwatering t, there is to many nutreints and it is over whelming for the plant at a yougn stage , or the water is too cold it will stun the seedlings. Im just giving possible reasons ,not saying you did just trying to clear up a few questions why they didnt grow after transplated.

 

[smokinHerbOnDaCurb]

the ONLY perlite I can find at lowes or depot is the MG perlite w/ nutes. And I also do not see any scotts w/out ferts either.

thanks

You dont have to use perlite just use a medium or soil that you can maintain the ph. If you using soil from outside a good test is to grab some soil if it packs easy a nd falls apart with little pressure it should be good for growing. Make sure it drains. If it doesnt try adding a little sand.