December 14, 2015 | #31 | |
Tomatovillian™
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I might just make up my own mix because I dont want to buy a bunch of sticks I have to filter out. Worth |
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December 14, 2015 | #32 |
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Loving your pictures. I think Home Depot replaced MG organic potting soil with Natures Care, also by MG.
I've seen MG organic potting mix around but at small stores. I used both types last season. Liked Natures Care more if you choose to try it. Currently wishing summer is here, especially with your pictures. Snow is coming down hard. |
December 14, 2015 | #33 |
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I make my own starter and potting mix;
--- 3 parts pine bark fine ( < = 3/8") --- 1 PART PEAT MOSS ---- 1 part perlite ---- 1 part FloorDry ( from O Reilly) You can violate above to some degree. But that is what and how I do it. I might skip the peat moss if I have pine bark mulch (crushed bark) Have to add some Dolomitic lime ( Ca and raise pH a bit). For potting, not starter. Since it has no nutrients, you have to start feeding the seedlings with 1/3 strength liquid fert . To the potting mix I add MG time release granular formulated for tomatoes and peppers. Pro Mix and Faffard are choice commercial mixes. BUT expensiiive. |
December 14, 2015 | #34 | |
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At the store they both looked the same to me except the potting soil was more expensive. I came home and looked at the ingredients on line and they are just about the same ore or less. The raised bed soil is $7 something for a big bag. The potting soil is $5 something for a smaller bag. Me thinks. I snipped the label off the PDF and put it here whit the computer snipping tool. Raised bed soil MG Raised Bed Soil..JPG Potting soil. MG Potting Soil.JPG |
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December 14, 2015 | #35 |
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From comparing the 2 types of potting mix I mentioned.
Natures care organic potting mix had a finer consistency. MG organic potting mix had large bark chunks in it that I didn't like. MG organic potting mix is $1 cheaper where I live. I think overall, the ingredients inside always looks similar on the packaging. I grow in Earthboxes and was always told to use the potting mix instead of potting soil. Was told not to use potting soil because it contains dirt and causes wicking problems. I haven't experimented with the potting soil yet, but assume it's similar with a little bit of dirt. That raised bed soil looks interesting. Maybe I will experiment with it next year. Are you going to experiment with it? Wonder if the price difference is because the potting mix has "water conserve" noted. |
December 14, 2015 | #36 | |
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If I cant find a bag tore open I will do it myself. Yes I am going to buy the organic raised bed soil. And maybe add some vermiculite. The potting soil didn't look like it had any dirt in it at all and neither did the raised bed soil. If it did it wasn't much. I'm going to have to buy the spare peat pots on line they are half as much as they are at the store. Wow I just found out something. If you buy the individual peat pots you can get 1260 for $130. BUT if you buy the strips of 6 stuck together you can buy the same amount for $110. Strips. http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/p.../jiffy-strips/ Pots. http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/p...ffy-peat-pots/ This is at the Greenhouse Mega Store. Worth |
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December 14, 2015 | #37 |
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Guys I couldn't be more happy with the new lights.
There is no stretching as of yet and I don't think there will be from my past experience. The first picture is at 5PM 12/14/2015.. The second picture taken at the same time is of an Indian Stripe just starting to grow it's first set of true leaves. Worth IMG_20151214_2311.jpg IMG_20151214_34397.jpg |
December 14, 2015 | #38 |
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Since these will be and indoor small seedlings potting, I would use SOIL LESS mix ( No compost ...) that has no odor/smell/ no organic ferts. You want to have a clean environment w/ no bacterial /microbial activities.
It would have been a different case it it were involved large outdoor potting. Gardeneer |
December 15, 2015 | #39 | |
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Worth |
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December 15, 2015 | #40 |
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strong looking youngins. Those hex are mighty convenient. You can probably keep them in there for quite some time.
I've used the kellogg raised bed and potting mix (Pink yellow stripes, 3 cu ft under 10), mixed in peat moss or coco coir, added a bit more perlite and more organic matter and it's worked out great for containers. It definitely has wood chips, not that bad though. Way better than the generic potting mix in the white and green packaging. I'm sure you'll find the right mix. |
December 15, 2015 | #41 |
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Hi Worth,
If you have room for one more tomato, any of the larger San Marzanos might be something to consider. In my area they are highly productive all season. They are unrivaled as sauce tomatoes, canners, or nice firm additions when you prepare them in a dish. These guys are tricky though. My first growing year was a ber disaster, but I've since gotten better at consistant watering or just plain lucky. Growing the larger varieties helps too. Did you mention you want orange tomatoes and peppers for salsa? - Lisa PM me your address for seeds if you need some |
December 15, 2015 | #42 | |
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I'm perfectly aware of going offline but a few words about your solutions for heating the flats would be welcome... |
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December 15, 2015 | #43 |
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The first picture is of two Azoychka plants.
The one on the right got a few squirts of Miracle Grow regular plant food at a ratio of 1/8 teaspoon to 1 pint of filtered water. The one on the left will not get it for a few days. Let's see what happens. The next picture is of an Aji Amarillo sprouting. The last picture is of a mystery pepper I rescued out of the yard. I put it in the seed starting soil and gave it a shot of Ladybug Organic liquid plant food. The leaves were dried up and yellow. It is coming along nicely and is beginning to grow and greened up. Worth IMG_20151215_32154.jpg IMG_20151215_44843.jpg IMG_20151215_5458.jpg Here is the pepper from the other day. Last edited by Worth1; December 15, 2015 at 02:24 PM. |
December 15, 2015 | #44 | |||
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Quote:
By the time I'm ready to pot them up they will be spending most of their time outside and only come in during the coldest of weather. Quote:
I have several ornes and yellow tomatoes and peppers growing for the salsa. I also have a pilke of San Marzano seeds I saved from tomatoes I grew last year. I grew three plants and they did great But as the summer went along I was kicking myself for not growing something else. I got to taste all aspects of there flavor from too wet soil to dry soil and they just didn't do it for me. I tomato more suited for use as a paste or drying as which it is anyway. Quote:
I keep a thermometer in the soil and it fluctuates from 65F/18C or a little lower at night and 75F/23C or so in the day. I can tell this is slowing the sprouting down somewhat but I cant stand a hot house. The benefit is a stockier plant. I could use and electric blanket under the trays with a sheet of plastic over it and adjust the temps this way. Electric blankets dont get very hot if they are on low. But it isn't going to happen because I dont want any chance of a fire. Worth |
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December 15, 2015 | #45 |
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10: PM 12/15/2015.
Noticeable difference. In 24 hours. Worth 12/14/2015 12/15/2015 IMG_20151215_52584.jpg Last edited by Worth1; December 15, 2015 at 11:44 PM. |
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