seeds Comparing seed starter soil mixes

I found this interesting:
"For pepper seed germinating, the inhibiting effect of the various mixes, was usually in direct relationship with the percentage sphagnum peat moss in each mix."
 
So they compared a bunch of different types of Miracle grow and have horribly duchy disclaimers about people using their information... maybe they shouldn't be posting it on the freaking internet then. Dbags. Looks like they did put a bit of effort into it but I stopped reading after the first few pics. This Craig Dremann gets my douche of the century award. Even a quick google of his name proves it over and over. 
 
D3monic said:
So they compared a bunch of different types of Miracle grow and have horribly duchy disclaimers about people using their information... maybe they shouldn't be posting it on the freaking internet then. Dbags. Looks like they did put a bit of effort into it but I stopped reading after the first few pics. This Craig Dremann gets my douche of the century award. Even a quick google of his name proves it over and over.
Click to expand...
Trying to rewrite the Scoville scale. C'mon man.
Side note, has anyone tried this DHS method?
 
I use majority peat moss, perlite, a little vermiculite with a ph buffer of dolomite lime. I also add mychrohizai by great white. I use net pots for great oxygen availability before I move to the grow bags.
 
Lovepeppers said:
I use majority peat moss, perlite, a little vermiculite with a ph buffer of dolomite lime. I also add mychrohizai by great white. I use net pots for great oxygen availability before I move to the grow bags.
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I was thinking about picking up some netpots and grow bags, just to try something different this year. What size net pots do you use?
 
I started my tomatoes and peppers almost exclusively in Jiffy-7 peat pellets this year. Everything's come up so far except a couple of Minibel tomatoes I had trouble with last year too. My second tray of peppers just went up a couple of days ago so we'll see if success continues.
 
I like the peat pellets because they're very straightforward to use, I can do one or two seeds per pellet, and it's painless to move the seedlings around and pot them up (I pull the net off). I've used a homemade peat-perlite-vermiculite mix and several types of seed starter (Jiffy and Black Gold come to mind). No issues. Plain old perlite works fine too. Sand too.
 
I don't like the individual cell type holders. Sounds kind of OCD, but I hate crinkling up the plastic to push the seedlings out. Pellets are much easier and you get the benefit of better aeration if you use a tray under them. Drawback is they're not the cheapest, and you're limited to the count you have on hand -- 100 seems like a lot when you're planning but you go through them quite quickly.
 
Next year I want to try soil blocks. :)
 
I just picked up a bag of Pro Mix and really like it so far. Haven't planted anything in it yet but the texture is so light and airy it makes me happy. I've used grow bags, air pots and smart pots in the past. It was a toss up on air pots and smart pots as a favorite. Both are on the pricey side. Down side and perhaps a up is the salts build up on the smart pot fabric. Makes it easy to tell when they need a good flush though. 
 
I use Jiffy Natural and Organic starting mix and have had great results for peppers and tomatoes.
 
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I tried many different growing mediums in the past and even used insulation which worked just fine. I have found expensive medium is not always better. Sourcing thru local suppliers in your area of growing medium can be cost effective these days. This is currently what I'm using and am quite happy with it for the cost ($7.95/bag) thru a local grow shop. The price would be way cheaper if I drove the 25 miles to get it directly from the company that makes it. 
20150109_0618261.jpg

Here's some results for this cheap medium.
5 weeks old using that medium and watering only. 
20150125_2015541.jpg

Making you're own gets even cheaper if you want to go that route. 
 
Has anyone heard of/used soil or other products from ladybug? My local nursery guy swears by it, but I'm trying to decide between that and ffof
 
organic pepper said:
I tried many different growing mediums in the past and even used insulation which worked just fine. I have found expensive medium is not always better. Sourcing thru local suppliers in your area of growing medium can be cost effective these days. This is currently what I'm using and am quite happy with it for the cost ($7.95/bag) thru a local grow shop. The price would be way cheaper if I drove the 25 miles to get it directly from the company that makes it. 
attachicon.gif
20150109_0618261.jpg
Here's some results for this cheap medium.
5 weeks old using that medium and watering only. 
attachicon.gif
20150125_2015541.jpg
Making you're own gets even cheaper if you want to go that route. 
Click to expand...
I brought up the list of ingredients of your starter mix.  This isn't your average starter mix.  I'd by it in a second based on your results, alone.
 
INGREDIENTS: SASKATCHEWAN SPHAGNUM PEAT (GROWER GRADE), OREGON PUMICE, AGED ALDER SAWDUST (NITRIFIED), UNKILNED DIATOMACEOUS EARTH, DOLOMITE LIME FLOUR (-40 MESH), LIMESTONE FLOUR (-100 MESH), GYPSUM FLOUR (-100 MESH), FERROUS SULFATE, CALCIUM NITRATE, AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE, POTASSIUM SULFATE, TEMPERATURE RELEASE EQUALIZER, ADDED TRACE ELEMENTS, ESSENTIAL W.A AND GROWTH STIMULANT AND WETTING AGENT.
 
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