huntsman said:
AlabamaJack -
No Hoffmans Seed Starting Mix or Jiffy Seed Starting mix in South Africa. Can I use potting soil? If not, what ingredients should I look for in a starting mix? (Perhaps we have one here that is good, but under a different name)
Hey Huntsman,
When my dad grows them in the garden he just uses potting soil mixed with a good organic fertilizer. It always worked for him...
As for the Jiffy's and rockwool I understand your fustration, I always battled to get any of those kind of products in SA but luckily the Swiss shops have them, you could just order it online but I don't think it's necessary.
Best Germination method for me is a tuppaware container, papertowel layed in the container. Wet the papertowel, add your seeds (just on top of the paper towel) and close the container. It really makes a perfect ecosystem for germination, even stubborn seeds germinate but what also helps is putting the container over a source of heat like a lighbulb or if you want a heating mat. Just make sure to check them often as the paper towels do dry out.
Once they have those little white roots you can put them into larger pots by wetting the papertowel again and pulling the seedlings off the towel very carefully... or you could just tear a little square around the seed and plant that too, I've never had problems with that.
Another method I used here is a cardboard eggtray filled with some seedling soil or even good quality potting soil, put the seeds in there, water until moist (you'll see the eggtray loose it's rigitity slightly) and seal the whole eggtray in a ziplock bag. Put it on a window sill in the sun and that works wonders. By the time the seedlings are touching the top of the bag they're ready to plant out, now you can just scoop out the little ball of soil as the tray will be soft by then.
I have never had a problem with mould or fungus, luckily, as the condensation really makes for a very moist environment.
AS for brands, that gromore stuff from Dunrobin nursery's is pretty good
Good luck man
Cheers
