Barbarian's 2023 Grow Log
- Thread starter BarbarianFires
- Start date
If you need inspiration for seedling potting soil...
I use vermiculite to make regular soil more fluffy. I mix it with a bit of my own compost. That is, till I changed it up.
Recently I discovered that coco peat can be really nice and not as horrible as I thought it was. I mix it with some vermiculite. There's no fertilizer in this mix (compared to the general potting soil), so I add some fertilizer, a liquid fertilizer with more N and P then K. I also add some seaweed powder. It makes for soil that doesn't get compact like regular soil does. I really like it.
Vermiculite source.
Coco peat source (I went to four of those stores to shamelessly bag all their coco peat stock.
)
I use vermiculite to make regular soil more fluffy. I mix it with a bit of my own compost. That is, till I changed it up.
Recently I discovered that coco peat can be really nice and not as horrible as I thought it was. I mix it with some vermiculite. There's no fertilizer in this mix (compared to the general potting soil), so I add some fertilizer, a liquid fertilizer with more N and P then K. I also add some seaweed powder. It makes for soil that doesn't get compact like regular soil does. I really like it.
Vermiculite source.
Coco peat source (I went to four of those stores to shamelessly bag all their coco peat stock.
)
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CaneDog
Extreme Member
I wouldn't use the starter mix, just new soil. Peat starter mixes are what I use most commonly for starting seeds, but I use it only in very small containers. Recently, I couldn't get my standard starter mix and tried a different peat product that had longer fibers and clumps badly. I won't use it again; not even in the very small cups.
When I start seeds in solo cups, I typically fill most of the way with potting soil then use a final layer of good starting mix at the very top - with quick germinating types I'll often use only the container soil. My opinion is that most starter mixes simply hold too much water for containers of any larger size - such as solo's. By having a depth of soil with better drainage below the starter layer that hold moisture better I feel like I get a good balance and the roots can breath well once they get down an inch or so and are into the container mix.
When I start seeds in solo cups, I typically fill most of the way with potting soil then use a final layer of good starting mix at the very top - with quick germinating types I'll often use only the container soil. My opinion is that most starter mixes simply hold too much water for containers of any larger size - such as solo's. By having a depth of soil with better drainage below the starter layer that hold moisture better I feel like I get a good balance and the roots can breath well once they get down an inch or so and are into the container mix.
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makes perfect sense for some reason !
no idea why i didnt thought of that...appreciate the suggestion !
i'll order a bag tomorrow..see if it helps in the long run...i have to transplant at least once...maybe twice for some othersIf you need inspiration for seedling potting soil...
I use vermiculite to make regular soil more fluffy. I mix it with a bit of my own compost. That is, till I changed it up.
Recently I discovered that coco peat can be really nice and not as horrible as I thought it was. I mix it with some vermiculite. There's no fertilizer in this mix (compared to the general potting soil), so I add some fertilizer, a liquid fertilizer with more N and P then K. I also add some seaweed powder. It makes for soil that doesn't get compact like regular soil does. I really like it.
Vermiculite source.
Coco peat source (I went to four of those stores to shamelessly bag all their coco peat stock.
CaneDog
Extreme Member
Hi Rata! I like the potential of vermiculite - especially in my climate - and have used it in the past. Glad you mentioned it. I should experiment more with it and see if it can can find a place in my mix and improve my soil conditions.
Keep in mind that vermiculite retains water, which can be bad if you do not account for it since pepper plants generally do not like wet conditions.Hi Rata! I like the potential of vermiculite - especially in my climate - and have used it in the past. Glad you mentioned it. I should experiment more with it and see if it can can find a place in my mix and improve my soil conditions.
If you want to have the soil more fluffy and airy I personally think perlite is better since you won't have the same water retention.
But it also acts like a sponge. It soaks up water, expands, and slowly releases the water (and fertilizer) as the soil dries out. (source) Better than perlite, is my experience. I really like how vermiculite works in combination with coco peat.
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CaneDog
Extreme Member
One of my challenges is our dry summer weather, which has made me think of vermiculite for precisely that reason.
Each has its uses, but you're right to point out that one must account for this and have a reason for using vermiculite rather than treating it as panacea.
Some new growth!
Repotted some since my last update.
Changed the soil as suggested by @CaneDog
So far so good but im still open to suggestions/tips
@Ratatouille , i havent bought vermiculite yet..im sorry, i was a little lazy...ill order that bag next tuesday!
Repotted some since my last update.
Changed the soil as suggested by @CaneDog
So far so good but im still open to suggestions/tips
@Ratatouille , i havent bought vermiculite yet..im sorry, i was a little lazy...ill order that bag next tuesday!
Attachments
No specific date, but if the weather keeps up like this i want to plant em outside around the first week of May!
Would you mind if i send you a pm? I got a couple questions, if you dont mind ofcourse!
CaneDog
Extreme Member
Sure, PM me.
Its been a while since i updated.
Im very happy with the tomato plants and the SRS.
Not at all happy with the other pepper plants, but at this point i dont know what to do any more
Unfortunately i have a visit from some aphids and a little damage here and there but not too much
Im very happy with the tomato plants and the SRS.
Not at all happy with the other pepper plants, but at this point i dont know what to do any more
Unfortunately i have a visit from some aphids and a little damage here and there but not too much
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Hi guys! Its been a while since updated.
My tomato plants went like crazy and i ended up giving away a few plants and alot of vegetables.
My peppers unfortunately didnt do much the last few weeks because of the absolute shitty weather we had
Anyway.
Here are some pics!
My tomato plants went like crazy and i ended up giving away a few plants and alot of vegetables.
My peppers unfortunately didnt do much the last few weeks because of the absolute shitty weather we had
Anyway.
Here are some pics!
Attachments
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Bou
Extreme Member
I share your pain mate, weather is really awfull here too
Let's hope September will be better (read much better, it needs to be!!)
My Aji Pineapple and Aji Mango plants are full with flowers and peppers...not sure if they have time enough to ripen before my season ends ( Around September/early October )
My 2 Primo plants have alot of flowers but somehow refuse to grow peppers ( maybe next year ! )
My Jay's peach just recently started to put out peppers..but very small so far.
My SRP's are finally coming along nicely, although not much peppers so far.
My best guess is: The plants in the backyard are doing way better because they are kept mostly out of the heavy winds we had the last few weeks.
The plants in the front yard are doing way worse.
Also...already started planning for next season.
I was thinking about renting a spot in a communal garden around here and set up a few polytunnels or small greenhouses ( Any suggestions? )
Cheers!
My 2 Primo plants have alot of flowers but somehow refuse to grow peppers ( maybe next year ! )
My Jay's peach just recently started to put out peppers..but very small so far.
My SRP's are finally coming along nicely, although not much peppers so far.
My best guess is: The plants in the backyard are doing way better because they are kept mostly out of the heavy winds we had the last few weeks.
The plants in the front yard are doing way worse.
Also...already started planning for next season.
I was thinking about renting a spot in a communal garden around here and set up a few polytunnels or small greenhouses ( Any suggestions? )
Cheers!
Tinkerbelle
Extreme Member
Absolutely go for it - I wouldn't be able to grow half the peppers that I do without a small greenhouse.
Also when we had the high winds that you did, I was able to put vulnerable/small/young peppers in pots in the greenhouse to protect them.
Did you grow KS white thai pepperst this year? If yes, what do you think of them taste-wise?