I loathe Miracle Grow Potting Mix - Page 4

Greatgardens · February 29, 2016

I've used MG for many years without issue. I've used it EarthBoxes for a long, long time. But three things: 1) I never use the "moisture control" or whatever they call it now, and 2) I always add extra perlite, and 3) I never use it for starting small seeds without screening it with 1/4" hardware cloth or something similar. (I actually don't use it for seed starting anymore, but did use it in the past by screening it and mixing in vermiculite.) We are fortunate to have a mulch manufacturer very close to our place, and they sell great potting mixes -- quite a bit cheaper than MG at a big box store.

-GG

Aerial · March 2, 2016

Picking up Pro-Mix HP from Lowes tonight. I'm convinced Miracle-Gro potting mix is not good for starting seeds or housing seedlings. Last season I germinated tomatoes, peppers, peas, passion fruits, sunflowers... but they stayed puny for months and have only taken off when planted in the ground. The MG mix however are great for my rose cuttings, they are growing beautifully and putting out lots of buds and new growth.

Has anyone tried the Miracle-Gro Quick Start Planting and Transplant Starting 48-fl oz All Purpose Liquid? Should I get the organic liquid kelp instead for the seedlings?

Worth1 · March 2, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerial

Picking up Pro-Mix HP from Lowes tonight. I'm convinced Miracle-Gro potting mix is not good for starting seeds or housing seedlings. Last season I germinated tomatoes, peppers, peas, passion fruits, sunflowers... but they stayed puny for months and have only taken off when planted in the ground. The MG mix however are great for my rose cuttings, they are growing beautifully and putting out lots of buds and new growth.

Has anyone tried the Miracle-Gro Quick Start Planting and Transplant Starting 48-fl oz All Purpose Liquid? Should I get the organic liquid kelp instead for the seedlings?

I think a lot of this has to do with method not product.
I used full strength MG plant food from the get go even the newly hatched seeds.
This is how Fred the tomato plant came to be.
But dont follow my advice I have a weird way of doing things and it is hard to explain.
One teaspoon of full strength a week and water behind it.
Once in 4 inch pot or so go to 3/4 ounces and water behind it.
I measuer with a bar tenders spout on a whiskey bottle and count to 2.
This is 1/2 shot per plant.
1.5 ounces a count of 4 goes to the larger containers.
If your are not careful you will kill the plant.

Worth

February 29, 2016	#46
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	I've used MG for many years without issue. I've used it EarthBoxes for a long, long time. But three things: 1) I never use the "moisture control" or whatever they call it now, and 2) I always add extra perlite, and 3) I never use it for starting small seeds without screening it with 1/4" hardware cloth or something similar. (I actually don't use it for seed starting anymore, but did use it in the past by screening it and mixing in vermiculite.) We are fortunate to have a mulch manufacturer very close to our place, and they sell great potting mixes -- quite a bit cheaper than MG at a big box store. -GG

March 2, 2016	#47
Aerial Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: CA Posts: 410	Picking up Pro-Mix HP from Lowes tonight. I'm convinced Miracle-Gro potting mix is not good for starting seeds or housing seedlings. Last season I germinated tomatoes, peppers, peas, passion fruits, sunflowers... but they stayed puny for months and have only taken off when planted in the ground. The MG mix however are great for my rose cuttings, they are growing beautifully and putting out lots of buds and new growth. Has anyone tried the Miracle-Gro Quick Start Planting and Transplant Starting 48-fl oz All Purpose Liquid? Should I get the organic liquid kelp instead for the seedlings?