I've been experimenting with my own seed starting mix and I'm having mixed results. I created a grow medium using a recipe I found online, which includes 1 gallon of coconut coir, ½ gallon of perlite, ½ gallon of vermiculite, ½ gallon of compost, and 2 cups of fertilizer. My fertilizer blend consists of 2 cups of triple super phosphate, 2 cups of green sand, ½ cup of bone meal, ½ cup of kelp meal, and ¼ cup of azomite. While my onions, marigolds, and lettuce have sprouted well, my broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, and peppers haven't sprouted much at all. I've purchased all my seeds from reliable sources, and I have temperature-controlled mats and humidity domes to ensure proper conditions. What am I missing here? Can anyone suggest how I can enhance my seed starting process? Is there something wrong with my soil recipe?
3 Answers
For seed starting, I’d stick to using just inert materials like coconut coir or peat moss, and definitely add some perlite for drainage. When it comes to tomatoes, soaking the seeds overnight can help boost germination. Also, make sure the soil stays moist but not soaking wet—too much water can drown the seeds. Once they do sprout, give them a lot of light! Keep the grow lights a couple of inches above them for best results.
Peppers are known for being slow to germinate, so don’t worry too much if they take their time. Just keep monitoring the conditions!
It sounds like you're over-fertilizing! Most seed starting mixes don't actually contain fertilizer since it can burn the delicate seedlings. I’d recommend trying your mix again without the added fertilizer; the compost should be enough to get your seedlings going for a while.
Looks like many people think the same way! This is a learning experience for you, huh? Good luck!
I had the same issue with light! I turned mine down after burning my plants too. It's a fine balance with lighting, for sure.