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Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

What are the advantages to using seed starting mix to plant seeds in versus using potting soil? Anyone have an opinion on the best seed starting mix?

Thanks,
Mark

3/26/2007 5:57:36 PM

Soiless medium offers many things,,,better drainage,,less chance of damping off,,better early root growth to name jsut a few. I use Sunshine Mix #1 here and have for years on all my plants,,,there are many others. I suggest staying away from those with mystery "added" ferts.

Best sourch IMO is your local greenhouse ask what they use.

3/26/2007 6:08:03 PM

Yep the seed germination mix basically cater towards the needs of a seed, the stuff Dan said.
I make my own seed starting mix sometimes...1 part each of vermiculite, perlite, peat, and a potting mix that a local greenhouse mixes and sells. This year I'm skipping the peat because I'm cheap... we'll see how that goes.
I think an important thing in germinating is not just the mix but the moisture level of it. Even if you have a great germination mix, getting too wet will ruin your stuff. You should barely be able to squeeze a drop of water out of a handful. The air spaces in the soil are just as important at the moist space!

3/26/2007 7:22:57 PM

San Jose garysand@pacbell.net

I seem to have no trouble with potting soil, the exception being when it was too wet. Don't get pre fertilized soil and add your mycorrhizae

3/26/2007 9:04:01 PM

Deer Park, WI

Question- when they say "part", is this referring to volume or weight?

4/7/2007 6:05:17 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Volume. I use a plastic measuring cup but a coffee cup or can would be fine.

4/7/2007 8:15:25 PM

milford, CT,

I've been using pro-mix for 3 years and have been very happy.
I'm sure it isn't rocket science to make your own but if your looking for a pre-made ...many nursery's use Pro-Mix.

4/13/2007 8:15:53 PM