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New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.

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Old January 17, 2019   #1
uno
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Default Favorite seed starting mix

Back in the 1990's it seemed that the only problem that I had was that my tomato plants grew too fast indoors.


But now my tomatoes look bad when I start them off. I need to work on it!


I have been using Pro-Mix BX, the peppers seem to do great in it but the tomatoes don't seem to like it.


Just wanted to see what others favorite seed starting mix is?


Thanks



Jim

Last edited by uno; January 17, 2019 at 11:18 PM. Reason: mispelling
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Old January 17, 2019   #2
greenthumbomaha
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I use whatever is in stores, and it isn't an issue for tomatoes. Peppers I am quite particular about. Fertilome and Fafard are excellent for peppers. as is the ProMix- BX.These products contain bark fines whereas lower priced mixes are heavy on peat with no fines.
I'm just going to throw this out off the top of my head …. are you feeding your transplants?

I feed my peppers only two or three times at most during their stay indoors. Tomato seedlings get fed a low strength snack quite regularly. Perhaps it is a fertilizer issue.

- Lisa
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Old January 17, 2019   #3
uno
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Thanks Lisa


Yes I feed them. Last year I used Espoma Start organic fertilizer.



Jim
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Old January 17, 2019   #4
greenthumbomaha
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Quote:
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Thanks Lisa


Yes I feed them. Last year I used Espoma Start organic fertilizer.



Jim

Some additional information as to their condition and at what stage could help define the problem. Perhaps one of the experts will weight in on water quality which is not a problem in my current area. My water used to smell like a swimming pool when I worked in Philly.


- Lisa

Just noticed you are in West PA, but curious anyway.

Last edited by greenthumbomaha; January 17, 2019 at 11:38 PM.
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Old January 18, 2019   #5
PhilaGardener
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greenthumbomaha View Post
My water used to smell like a swimming pool when I worked in Philly. . . . Just noticed you are in West PA, but curious anyway.

+1, water around Philly has been hyperchlorinated lately probably because of all the rain this year. Let tap water stand before use or using purified water is an excellent idea!
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Old January 18, 2019   #6
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Vermont Compost's Fort Vee can't be beat, if you are in a location where you can get hold of it.
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Old March 14, 2019   #7
e.thad
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilaGardener View Post
+1, water around Philly has been hyperchlorinated lately probably because of all the rain this year. Let tap water stand before use or using purified water is an excellent idea!
Uno is in SW PA, whereas Phila. is in SE PA - two totally different water supplies. I'm just outside of Phila, in Bensalem PA. and I think my water is the same as Phila's. I start seeds in Espoma Seed Starter, and use straight tap water. Never had a problem. Everything is always strong and healthy.
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Old January 18, 2019   #8
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Floraself Select line (with the red packaging). Most probably the best somewhat cheap mix in Germany. Certainly not as cheap as the ones in Aldi etc, but a lot better, and also a lot better than similarly priced stuff in stores specialized in transplants like Dehner.
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Old January 18, 2019   #9
jtjmartin
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I use whatever goes on clearance the previous fall. Usually Miracle Grow or Hyponex. This year I found Burpee Organic Potting Mix from a K-mart going out of business.
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Old January 20, 2019   #10
Greatgardens
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I like Burpee's Organic Seed Starting Mix which is coco coir. I press the seeds lightly into the top of the mix and then cover with a thin layer of diatomaceous earth. With bottom heat at around 80 deg. F, I usually get germination in 4 or 5 days. If I use peat (only occasionally), then I screen the mix with a 1/2" hardware cloth sieve to remove lumps and stems.
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Old January 26, 2019   #11
chiefbeaz
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There are two that I used. Pro mix BX and Jeffy seed starting mix. They both seem to do good . I always re pot into Pro mix BX after the seedling grow their second true set of leaves. Jeffy has a much finer growing media than Pro Mix,but you can stir up pro mix and it does as well. Just stay away from heavy potting mix, not designed for seed starting in my experience.
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Old January 26, 2019   #12
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I’ve had good success using Coco Loco from Foxfarm.
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Old March 13, 2019   #13
Foose4string
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I like regular ol MG potting soil. Biggest bag they got. Start seeds in it and transplant them in it.
I think I got over 95% germination after about 8-10 days. Most up within half that time. 13 varieties seen in this pic. Keep in mind some of this seed is 10+ years directly sown to “barks and sticks”.
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Old March 13, 2019   #14
Rajun Gardener
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I tried Lambert's this year and love it for the price. Sign up at AM Leonard to receive emails, they offer free shipping a few times a year and that's a deal that's hard to beat.
This bale is 65 lbs and will last years depending on how many plants you start. I have 3/4 of the bag left and started and just repotted a few hundred seedlings.
https://www.amleo.com/lambert-germin...8-cf/p/LM18GM/
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Old March 13, 2019   #15
Ironwood
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I like Lambert's as well.

1 part Lambert's
1 part perlite
1 part worm castings

Each watering I give a touch of Cal/Mag and Root n Grow, or compost tea.

I use this mix in 50 cell round flats.
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