Best starting mix

[sparkles2307]

Soooo I don't want to make my own potting mix for starting seeds... which is the best from the store? I will never use Jiffy again... you can't get water to soak in...it sits on top of the mix till it evaporates and the seeds never get any moisture!

 

[chris09]

Soooo I don't want to make my own potting mix for starting seeds... which is the best from the store? I will never use Jiffy again... you can't get water to soak in...it sits on top of the mix till it evaporates and the seeds never get any moisture!

When you used Jiffy, Did you did pre-soak the soil before adding it to the pot/flats?
Soilless mixes work best when pre-soaked (just enough water to make it damp).

Now I like Premier Pro-mix BX it is a good "general purpose" peat-based growing medium with vermiculite and perlite and I never had a problem with it, fact it was the only mix that we used back when I was in school.

http://www.premierhort.com/eProMix/Horticulture/fhorticulture.htm

Chris

 

[thistlebloom]

I use the Jiffy organic seed starting mix Sparkles, but as Chris said it needs to be premoistened. I just open the bag and pour warm water in until I get the moisture where I want it, then let it sit for about 5 minutes. Works great!

 

[sparkles2307]

Hmmm, well I guess I can try Jiffy again. I'll try pre-soaking it. But, will it be a problem if I forget to water them and the mix dries out? I'm usually overly attentive with my seeds but if there is a cold day our furnace runs more which dries things out faster.

 

[thistlebloom]

Try bottom watering. I don't know what you use for containers, but if they have a few holes in the bottom they can soak the water up that way. Of course you don't want to leave them in standing water, just enough to wick the water up to the surface. I start some of mine in peat pots and bottom watering works well for them also.

 

[AmyRey]

I have had great luck with Jiffy peat pellets.

 

[dickiebird]

I have had great luck with Jiffy peat pellets.

The peat pellets are what I use a lot of. You have to plan ahead to use them as they must be soaked before you can use them.

When I plant in containers with cells I use Miracle Grow potting soil. It may be a little more costly but worth it in the long run to me!!!

When using the potting soil I set the containers in trays to bottom water, if left overnight you can water the next day without floating your seeds over the top of your container.

Sometimes if I'm in a hurry to get moisture on the soil I'll top water gently and let the containers set for a spell, then come back and finish watering, it seems when you apply some water from the top that will moisten the soil and your next watering will "stick".

THANX RICH