Starting seedlings on Nutrients Q

Beats

Well-Known Member
I've got a question regarding when to start adding nutrients to my seedlings. They are 3 weeks old and most are growing their 3rd set of true leaves. I have read that plants rely on the cotyledon leaves for nutrients until they fall off, and that at that point you should start feeding the plants since they no longer have their food source. Yet, I just read somewhere that you should start adding nutrients when your seedlings have 2 or 3 sets of "spiked leaves".

My seedlings are in beer cups and are in Promix BX. Should I be adding something to the soil at this time? They hopefully grow fast the the next bit because I would like to move them to their outdoor spots in the next 2 weeks or so. I bought a container of "Muskie" 5-1-1 fish emulsion the other day thinking that when the time came, the added N would help them in their growth stage. But I haven't even opened the bottle yet. Too early?? Don't want to burn or harm the plants at all. Just getting conflicting info on when to start nutrients. Or should I just not add anything and hope they get food from the BX?

THanks
 

GoldenGanja13

Well-Known Member
Its safe to add 1/4 nutes after 2 weeks, some people wait until cotyledon leafs turn yellow. It's something you do very carefully and watch for reaction.
 

Beats

Well-Known Member
So, would you think that my 5-1-1 fish emulsion would be a decent additive at this stage? From what I've gathered its the N that the plants need to grow. THat's why I bought the fish emulsion. On one hand I'm thinking that the plants look pretty good, but on the other hand I'm wondering if adding the N to the cups will speed up the growth process... Definitely don't want to risk harming the plants while trying to help them :)
 

Beats

Well-Known Member
Ok great. So I think that in a few days when I water next I'll try adding some to the mix. I know this seems basic, but since the bottle says to add 5 ml's per litre of water.. I should try adding a bit more than 1ml/litre of water to start? Being roughly 1/4 strength of directions.
 

frmrboi

Well-Known Member
Ok great. So I think that in a few days when I water next I'll try adding some to the mix. I know this seems basic, but since the bottle says to add 5 ml's per litre of water.. I should try adding a bit more than 1ml/litre of water to start? Being roughly 1/4 strength of directions.
go full strength, fish is a slow release fertilizer, it has to decompose in the soil before it releases the bulk of it's nutrients.
 

Beats

Well-Known Member
Thanks frmrboi. I'll use full strength in a day or 2 when I water and let you know how it goes. The bottle says to use it 2x a month on potted plants. Hopefully my plants are outta here in a month and in their outdoor spots. I don't want to over do it, would I be right in thinking that adding the solution to the water once every 2 weeks is safe? I guess I could always add it to the outdoor spots as well when the time comes.
 
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