How to Make Inexpensive Sterile Starting & Potting Mix: Peat, Vermiculite & Perlite-No Fungus Gnats
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- I show you how to make sterile seed starting and potting mixes from peat moss, vermiculate and perlite. I go over different ratios and actually mix the variations so you can see them. I also go over 2 ways you can sterilize your mixes so you don't get fungus gnats, fungus or disease. Fungus gnat eggs often sit dormant in peat moss.
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I never thought about microwaving it, might have to wait till my wife is out of the house first, that will trigger her!
I like the smell. LOL. My wife hates it.
hahaha I was literally thinking oh his wife must love that!! N then u both sd it 😂😂😂 I'm dead 💀💀 lol
Gary Pilarchik (The Rusted Garden) I hope u had great holidays with family! N wish u a prosperous new year!! 😉💜
Lollllllll
Haha, my wife would be so upset if I started using her bowls and microwave to heat up starting mix.
Any of the shows where you actually give people the recipes and show them how to make inexpensive version of those overpriced ones in the store, that's the videos that rock! Great video.
And you can adapt this for your needs. Thanks
The old school way of sanitizing starting mix is 30 minutes in the oven at 200 deg F.
Old school works.
What does that smell like? That might trigger my husband.
I was wondering exactly the same thing!
dry/wet, does it matter?
@@EWG-hx5xb it will help kill nats eggs and mold . I got lots of nats last year. I'm trying it this year.
I was lucky enough to find the Jiffy Professional seed starting mix on clearance for $2.00 last season! I bought 20 bags!
Well you cant beat that now!
Same here. 2 years I got it at walmart at the end of the season for 2.50/bag. I only bought 8 bags. I went back the next season but they didn't have any left to sell on clearance. Bummer.
That was a nice and clear explanation.
My two/three cents:
- Use a container for "cooking" the soil which is not going to be used for food (to avoid complaints).
- That container should not be PET plastic or anything which will not withstand well boiling water temperature (wood might not be a good idea either). I am using an spare plastic microwave safe container with its own cover (so I don't need the film).
- Don't be impatient, wait for the mix to cool down unless you want to cook your seeds.
- I am covering the starting pots with seal-able bags (zip-lock, or some rubber band) to avoid posterior contamination and boost humidity. But maybe that's a different story.
Excellent 2+ cents. Thanks!
Be honest..you only made this video so u could play with dirt! :)
And cook it!
Getting into gardening just now, and I want thank you for all the gardening tutorials you have on your videos. I’ve learned a lot! Question though if you have time, if I’m going to be using a bigger size pot to start my seeds in, what mixture should I use? Can I still use the 3:1 ratio of peat to vermiculite or do I use a more soil based mixture. Thank you sir in advance.
Great video! I always end up buying several of the Jiffy mix bags every year, which, I swear goes up in price every year. Used to be $3.50, last year was $5. Burpee seed starting mix is good and a little cheaper, I tried it last year and was pleased. I did buy a small (8 qts) of vermiculite last week with the idea of making my bagged mix go a little further. Now, I need to go get a bale of peat moss and lug it down the basement to make some mix! Thank you!
It really works. The sterilizing is key too.
Jolene Talboom don't forget to sift your peat moss always moisten your mix with boiling water
You are absolutely the BEST GARDENING SHOW ON TH-cam!!! Anything I need to know, I go right to you and I got all my questions answered correctly!! Keep up the great work you do!!
I really appreciate that. Let me know if you have other questions too.
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Hi Gary! A friend just gave me an unopened bag/block of compressed coconut fiber and a large bag of vermiculite that they weren’t going to use.
Can you substitute compressed coconut fiber for peat in seed starting mix?
Yep 100%
What is the reason that you wouldn't just start in the slightly bigger container when planting seeds? It seems like you wouldn't need to transplant from the little black container to the next larger size.
Room. If you have the room, start in the largest pot possible. For me I start 500+ plants so I start them in smaller spaces due to space limits.
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8:27 he drops a pro tip
Ron B good catch. For in-ground composting I've heard to keep it away from your plants. Is that just bcz the nutrients aren't available to the plants yet or does it actually cause harm to the plants?
I always buy "ProMix BX"... a compressed 3.8 cubic foot bag expands to 7 cubic feet, and costs me $38.00 (very cost effective)......thats a LOT of seed starting mix......and a lot less work. I have been using ProMix for years, works perfectly.
Thanks
I have an 11x4ft hay bed, and two 5x5 dug beds. I just grew my first successful batch of seedlings (cabbages and spinach) 16 plants in total.
I want to grow 34 tomato plants plus a bunch of other plants next summer, so I think it's time for me to make my own potting mix.
It will save you money and youll find you make as good as stuff as any bag if not better. Nice garden!
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I steamed my soil in the fall when bringing in outdoor plants. It worked great for at least 6 weeks. All it takes is a couple of eggs and there you go though. I developed a horrible infestation. I did find that cinnamon really keeps them at bay though more than any other product. Would that be safe on seedlings do you think?
Also a liquid fish & kelp fertilizer will work very well. This can be used on your organic seedlings.
Yea a couple eggs. I think I had some on sweet potatoes that are causing an annoyance. It is safe for seedlings. Test it as good practice but I havent noticed harm. I have a video on hydrogen peroxide drench for seed starts. I would experiment with that too. Kill the larva.
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Isn't store-bought peat moss sterilized already?
Nope. Just pressed and left to naturally dry.
No indeed. I've gotten fungus gnats from store bought bagged soil too many times and back then I didn't know that it was my purchased prebagged soil was the culprit. If you don't sterilize your starting mix then get some sticky fly paper to catch the teeming hoards of fungus gnats that will hatch in your seedling's soil and dive towards you sometimes seemingly set to land on your face, lips, food or beverages. Growing indoors in the winter can be challenging if you aren't aware of a few vital tips. Thanks Gary!
No it sure isn't.
Thank you so much! I never thought of adding boiling water, but it makes so much sense.
It really helps.
You've mentioned before that you add "Neem Oil" to the starting mix to cut down on fungus. How much would you add to (I assume) the final mix you had on this video? Also, is the final mix the best point to add the neem oil. Thank you for all of your videos they are very helpful!
Really 2 teaspoons. You don't need much.
Thanks! BTW Do you ever add compost or worm castings to your seed mix? Would it be bad if I did?
Actually I am experimenting with wormcasting in all me starting mix this year. Aged worm casting that dont have any bug eggs etc. I wouldnt add compost indoors as it will carry eggs etc.
Really good video! Really informative! I watch your videos since almost 3 years, and I always enjoy every single one of them!
Thanks so much for your time. I really appreciate it. Please spread the word.
To sterilize soil, put it in a pan and cover with foil and put it on the grill. You dont want to do that in the house.
That works. Thanks!
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My grandma always used to bake her soil to use it to start seeds. Thanks for the tips. I'm going to get started soon.
She was wise.
Thank you so much for making this video! I already boiled my bag of my jiffy seed starting mix, but I goofed when I was transplanting my tomato seedlings from one cup into some other cups (once they were all pretty good Size ) I ran out of my seed starting mix & had to use some other soil that already had a mixture of perlite in it (& since I am new, I think I may have had a bit too much perlite in it, but it was all I had at the moment).
I did however give them all a diluted watering of Vermisterra Worm tea (hope that was right?!)
And, incase you're wondering... When I planted the Tomatoes seeds, I planted 2 seeds & after a couple weeks, nothing germinated (before it took about week) so, I thought perhaps they were too old. So, I planted 4 more well, just under a week later, germination happened! Yay! But then next thing ya know... Those 4 seeds or should I say 6 seeds somehow turned into "36" plants 2-1/2 weeks later!!
There was 1 really big one, 4-5 pretty good sized & the rest were pretty small, I didn't have the heart to just tear them apart & throw away the babies! I soaked them & was successful in separating almost all (only 2 broke just near the end) & all others having their own root & re-planted in a solo cups!
Definitely a lesson learned as a brand new Gardener! 🤣 🍅 🌿 ♥️
Well that is success. Better to have more. LOL. They are hard to thin and get rid off
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Greetings from Nova Scotia, Canada! Great job on showing the various proportions and staying on topic!
That is my goal. Topic and point.
Hey Gary, I made soil based on your ratios (used 4 instead of 3 Peat) and did not get good results. I think its too acidic. Adding Lime may benefit us
Lime would help.
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Many years ago I used my "special recipe" for germinating seeds. I vaguely remember using certain proportions of vermiculite, peat moss and some kind of commercial potting mix. There may have been a couple of other ingredients. One season, I got curious as to whether it was really necessary to mix my own.
I set up a simple test, germinating tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach and arugula. For each of these plants, I sowed 6 seed cells in four different mediums. One was my "special" germination mix, fine vermiculite, a commercial germination mix and a simple generic potting soil.
My conclusions were that there really wasn't a significant different among the different propagation mediums, although when it came time to transplant I noticed that the seeds started in simple, fine vermiculite appeared to be slightly more well-developed than the others.
I now use primarily fine vermiculite for germinating seeds - primarily because it's rather inexpensive and less messy than anything else. I'm not too obsessed with using vermiculite and if I don't have any on-hand, I'll use any kind of potting soil available.
Your particular potting mix looks intriguing, although I don't relish the thought of going through all that bother. But I like your videos and have picked up some good tips. I think this year I'll give it a test and compare it with my other starts. I've got to be honest though: I'm hoping I won't see a dramatic improvement using your mix as I'd rather not go through the bother of mixing my own. In that case, I'll end up cursing you and thanking you at the same time.
Many thanks for your efforts in making and publishing these helpful videos,
I find vermiculite and peat are the key ingredients. Over time i found that is all you really need too.
Great useful vídeo -thks
From madrid Spain
Love meeting global gardeners. Glad to help
Can you use bagged organic potting soil for starting seeds, or do you have to either buy or make special seed starting mix?
From my experience, the potting soil is too heavy for the seeds to germinate. I'd start off with the seed starting mix first.
By grandfather always used regular MiracleGro indoor/outdoor potting mix with no problems (the one in the yellow bag). It's very light, just like starting mix. However, I don't use it because I don't like using MiracleGro on my food plants and because it always has fungus gnats anymore. I have not found an organic potting mix that is good for seed starting, most have chunks of wood and that's no good for seed starting. There are probably some specialty seed starting mixes out there that might be OK, but I only garden frugally. Some people love Pro Mix brand seed starting mix, but I have tried it and got fungus gnats. I never got fungus gnats with Jiffy starting mix. Pro Mix is also very expensive. IMHO, you are better off making your own or just buying the Jiffy Starting Mix.
@@VladTheImpalerTepesIII and Allison, I used boiling water in my starting mix to kill off the fungus gnat eggs and I've not had any problems. I got that pro tip from Gary. Once the mix cools off and is not too soppy, add some worm castings. My seedlings this year were better than they've ever been than two years ago. I got frustrated from leggy seedlings but with killing off the fungus gnat eggs from the start helped. Good luck and I wish you a great growing season!
Excellent videos Gary!!! They are my "bible" to go to . I would like to know when you say to add 4 to 8 oz of perilte to your starting mix for transplanting, what is the ratio there.I know you use 3:1 peat moss to vermiculite, but what is the total ? Your "bowl unit" doesn't tell me what is the ratio to add the vermiculite to.
Ah I see. Just generally speaking its about 4-8 ounces in that much as you see in video. I dont know if I figured out a ration for it. You can stick with 3:1 for peat and vermiculite. as that is key. I actually dont use perlite anmore. It wasnt needed. Thanks so much for watching.
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Yes, I've seen your storefront. Got some things last year. I wish you could add more of the things you use in your videos, i.e. the VermisTerra and other components to make the mixes for seed strating, etc.
If I could make a suggestion, I wonder if you could make another wonderful video about cleaning used containters. I searched but I couldn't find anything related to it within your videos.
Thanks for taking the time to answer, I'm sure you get tons of comments
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Would the seeds grow without Perilite/vermic? Did it last year and they turned out alright
They would. The peat does benefit from the vermiculite to stay fluffy thought.
Hi Gary, I'm wondering, before I try this method, if I would be killing all the good bacteria while killing the bad bacteria in the soil when cooking it? Please advise...... Tks for your great videos.... :)
You dont need to worry about that for seed starting. Sterile is fine and good. The plants live off seed coat to start and some water soluble fertilizer to continue growing. You can also add in worm casting if you want some soil life there. Once that get ouside and grow massive root systems, thats when they need soil life.
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I am new what about if your planting directly to pot what should be done
Im not sure what you mean.
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Instead of peat,can you use the coconut husk option?
Melissa peterson he also uses coco core. I have seen it on other videos he has.
Hi Gary it is about Peat Moss.My Q. is there only one kind of pure Peat Moss?. I have Peat Moss in my other room.The Peat Moss I use for my compost toilet in my RV(safe water) can I use it.Thank you I really appreciate
Not sure what you have but mine i get is milled finely.
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So how or where do the transplants get nutrition from .?
Thank you Gary! I've seen several of your videos on this and I'm finally going to try doing it myself. It seemed so intimidating at first but I'm learning more and more and feel up to it now. I've learned a lot from your videos, so thanks again!
Cheers to giving it a try. Dont worry and just have fun. You can learn till you start.
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I don’t like perlite in potting mix, and especially not in seed starting mix. It’s too floaty. In other words, when I water, the perlite all tends to float to the top of the container. I suspect vermiculite would do the same thing, although I haven’t tried vermiculite in my own mixes.
Vermiculite stays in place. I stopped using perlite actually. Just not needed.
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Do you need to bring up the pH by adding some garden lime? Isn't peat moss too acidic for seedlings? Which is what I learned from other gardeners. I am a bit confused....
I use straight peat moss nowadays. For years... and not issues.
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Only person I caught saying the boiling/ microwave water......Gary ur good
TY
If using peat moss will the low ph affect some seeds germinating? And won’t it be better to use coir instead as that doesn’t have a low ph and doesn’t contain any eggs ?
You can and some garden lime but I dont. Germination is a bit better with acidity. I have found germination can take a bit longer in coir. But coir is better for no fungus gnat eggs.
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Another great video very helpful on that seed starting mix and the combinations it's what I'm going to try next thank you
I grew up with Vermiculite, Pete Moss, and Perlite as I mixed them with the Pete Moss each year then I moved here, and you have to order the Vermiculite to have it sent to the store as no place, not even nurseries, carries it here. Might be because it is so wet, and humid, here as opposed to the almost desert area I came from.
I like vermiculite and peat now days. The perlite is fine but I found it didnt really need it for starts.
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For the first dozen videos, I thought you were saying Rustic Garden. Why is your garden rusting?
LOL I am a bit lazy and leave tools out all they time and they rust. That was the impetus back then for the name.
Think you have Gnat Larvae?, put a piece of raw potato in a seed starting cell with the potting mix, the next day look at the bottom of the potato. Not sure who should get credit for this test. Needless to say I will sterilize my starting mix in a few weeks.
I also hung up sticky yellow fly trap strips to get the gnats flying around.
Interesting tip. Ill try it.
Fungus gnats just go into my growing room. It doesn't matter whether the potting mix is sterile. When I go in and out, the stupid fungus gnats follow me into my house.
I hate them
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Sterile is a bit of a misnomer, as boiling water isn't sufficient to neutralize spores present in your environment.
Environmental organisms are generally beneficial, and your method of eliminating pests is effective, so really everyone understands what you mean.
Great playlist, I have a lot to learn.
Ok, I am listening diligently but can’t help but ask, did you get any in your coffee? 😂
I dont recall but dirt in the coffee is not rare. LOl
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I lost my first set of seeds last year because I used compost. DOH! This year has been totally different because I only used either the burpee or jiffy seed start soil. I didn't want to deal with the microwave drama this year because I microwave the water I use to wet the soil anyway.
It happens
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Great vids as usual! I probably missed it even though I watched it a few times: 1. Put the ingredients together 2. Microwave OR 2. Pre-moisten then 3. Microwave? Or does it matter? Thanks Gary!
Always put moist soil in the microwave. In my opinion.
Hi Gary! I bough some of that jiffy starting mix and started some seeds about 3-4 wks ago. Well about a week ago I started seeing this green algae type growth on top of the trays around the seedlings Is that fungus? I didn’t microwave the mix since I thought those bags are sterile. So if I buy the bags do I still need to microwave it to kill everything? Thank you!
That is probably algae and it wont hurt your plants. Dark green. The lights tend to let it multiple and it often in our tap water.
Would you microwave/boil the potting mix before or after adding the perlite?
After. The perlite is sterile
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Thanks for your wonderful video ,loved the tips👌🙏
Thanks!
Hello sir very good vedio. I am from India here cocopeat is much cheper then peat moss . Can i use cocopeat in place of peat moss . And which one is best ?🙏
Why do you use the perilite in up potting ? I was thinking you used it in seed starting, I just ordered a 4cubic yd bag of it
I just don't use it but you can use it for seed starting a bit. And pottiing up mix. Just a choice.
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Can you sterilize a large batch with boiling water, then let it dry out for usage later, so you only have to do it once?
Yep.
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I followed the recipe exactly this year and also used jiffy starting mix and found that the jiffy starting mix growth of plants was double what the home made mix was.
Well jiffy wins. I didn't notice much difference. You could always up the vermiculite to better replicate JM.
Is it ok or needed to add liquid fish fertilizer 5-1-1 ?
You dont needed it right away. After the seeds germinate and are about 2 weeks old, is a good time to add fertilizer
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3 to one equals how much or how many trays or small 6 packs of starting pots will fill? thanks
3 to 1 is a ratio not quantity. It means same size container. 3 teaspoons to 1 teaspoon is the same as 3 gallons to 1 gallon. You have to decided how much you want to make.
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Do you need to sterilize the peat moss for micro greens?
Not for the growth but I do it to make sure there are no fungus gnats.
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sterilize with boiling water doesnt create toxic particules in the soil?? thats what i heard and read too...
Oh so I would say that is a myth. If there was toxic anything in your starting mix, adding water could or hot would activate it. Right.
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Can we re-use this potting mix of peat moss vermaculte and parllalite sir?
You can reuse it all
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When I translate peat moss I end up seeing moss that is green. Is Peat moss peat soil? I am confused.
Peat moss comes from peat bogs. It is plant matter. Canadian Spaghnum peat moss.
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my first time growing stuff indoors. these fungus gnats......
The boiling water works nicely.
Too much peat. Just need equal parts vermiculite and perlite.
Thanks
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for diy seed starting mix should i use peat moss or sphagnum peat moss?
I use fine sphagnum peat moss.
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So, you microwave the mixture dry, and then add water later?
It should always be slightly moist for the microwave but you have to be really careful. I like using building water in the mix to sterilize it.
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Excellent video! You are the best
Thanks so much
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Gary what about storing the bags of seed starting mix in the freezer? Would that kill anything? Last year I stored them in the freezer and defrosted them and added boiling water. Still got the gnats. This year just used the jiffy mix right out of the bag and nothing since I planted on January 5th today being the 18th. Only difference is I'm using a different part of the house and using a small heater on low fan low temp and it's very very cold this year. Using a regular fan on low too. Also, how big are the true leaves before you move them to bigger pots?
Could we use nematodes✌🏻️❤️🌱🇨🇦
Not sure to be honest for starting mix
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Great video. So 25% or less vermiculite is generally good, okay.
I'm also gonna add a portion of sand from a clean lot to make well-draining soil for arid plants.
Sir can you replace peat moss with cocopeat instead for seed & potting mix? Excellent advice. Thank you for sharing. 👍👍👍👍👍
You cans for sure
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If starting seeds in this mix but OUTSIDE do I still need to microwave or add boiling water to sterilize? Thanks for ALL your videos and information.
Nope. Just for indoors.
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I just wrote down a seed starting mix you posted, 5 parts peat moss 5 parts perlite, 1 tablesp organic fertilizer 1 cup water. I'm confused, which do i use?
They all work. I dont have a 5 peat to 5 perlite. If I do let me know as thats wrong. Any peat to vermiculate ratio works 3:1 4:1 5:1. I now use the 5:1.
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Your videos are great! Always thorough and informative. Thank you so much
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Hi Gary. I noticed you did not use any Neem Oil in the starting mix? Do you still recommend using it? I think you had a video awhile back where you used 2 tsp of oil and 3 TBL of Neem cake in about a gallon of Jiffy Seed Starting mix. Just curious, as I plan to use it this year, whether I buy my starting mix or make it. Just curious if you think it is still necessary to help with fungus and gnats. Thanks
I'd like to know this as well. I used that process last year, too. Is it unnecessary with the microwave?
Do you have any recommendations for tropical houseplants soil mix?
peat moss or coco peat , which is good to use , We dont have easily access to peat most , can i replace peat moss with coco
Yep replace with coir. Whatever is cheapest and easiest.
Hi Gary I'm having trouble getting the first set of true leaves to come through. I use just plain coco coir as a seed start and my seeds germinate fine but they seem to just stop growing after the cotyledons come through. Occasionally I will get the true leaves just starting to come through but it just stops growing completely at that stage. I water daily and plant in the right season and they are placed outside in full sunlight but I just can't get the seedlings to grow anywhere past the cotyledon stage! Should I add some fertiliser to get the first set of true leaves to come through?Any advice will be appreciated, thanks!
So I dont like straight coir but it can work. And yes they need to have some soluble nitrogen. LOW amounts. Like 5 or less. So dilute anything you use to get the N to a range of 1-5.
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You need to use garden lime in a seed starting mix that use peat moss as the base because peat moss's pH is around 5 or lower - too acidic.
It really isn't that low. I used to think it was. Anyway been doing it for years this way and no issues.
the seedling will be in there maybe 2-4 weeks. Would it have such an impact that it needs lime also during that time?
Nunya is 100% correct. I tried a peat-based seed starting mix last year and it was a disaster. Seeds will germinate but within a week after that they start turning yellow with stunted growth. I have tried many seeds and many different plants and the result was the same. The only way around this is to transplant the tiny itty bitty seedlings within a week after they germinate into good soil. But this is not easy nor recommended for obvious reasons.
@@pershop4950 Yes. Also, I keep my seedlings in their cells for much longer than 2-4 weeks. It takes about a week for most seedlings to germinate anyhow. After even just 3 weeks seedlings are too young to transplant. As long as you fertilize them thy are fine in their cells as long as they are not getting root bound and that takes a long time to happen. I do not transplant most plants from their cells until they are at least 4-6 inches tall. The last thing you want to do is transplant too young and too often. All these videos of "experts" transplanting their plants 2 or 3 times before planting is ridiculous.
I'm useing your December 1, 2013 ratio mix. Totally different from this one. Do I need to change?.... Confused....
So I just changed over time as I like to experiment.. The bottom line there are many ways to do it. You can adapt as you like.I progressed to worm castings. Maybe come up with your own ratio for fun around the videos general parameters.
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Thanks Gary, your tops and you have saved lots of money over the years as well as great growing success.
Fantastic
If you add the boiling water to all the peat moss, can you safely store it in a tub in your house for future use? Or is it better to not add water until you're going to use it?
You could yes as long as their are no sources of fungus gnats. For instance, I brought in a bunch of new house plants and therefore tons of FG came in with them. It was a mess.
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Do you use liquid fertilizer on the transplants? I have been having knats so I will need to do this. Thank you
Very low dose of liquid fertilizer after they have been growing
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I never thought of using Microwave, However, I have an electric pressure cooker and I did fill quart mason jars 3/4 way and put on a lid and put through a 20 min high pressure cycle. Is this ok would this cause any problems with the seed starter mix to change chemical?
You know I don't know. But as a sterile mix, you don't need any life in it.
Hi Gary, quick question. Do you add the boiling water to the peat moss to sterilize it first before adding vermiculite?
Either way is fine. I dont recall specifically but vermiculite doesnt usually have issues.
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The BEST explanation so far. Thank you so very much 👏🙌👊
Glad to share
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i am having huge ph issues with literally every store bought bag of potting soil. my cannabis plants are suffering. lyme does not work, i have tried everything/all types etc. how can i put together my own growing medium etc that has a stable ph of 6.3-7??? what should i start with?? thanks!!!
So I don't know for sure. But Pro Mix is always recommended to me. Pulverized lime is best but I just don't know the ratios for raising it. I but there must be a mix for MJ. I would search that.
Couldn’t smash the like button fast enough!! Thanks for the tips on soil - my ratios were a little rusty. Now they are Rusty.
Gary,
I have half a bale of peat moss in a black garbage back stored under my house since last year. Is it safe to use that? Of course using this sterilization method ?
Also vigoro vermiculite from Home Depot is okay?
Thanks for all the tips and help
It will surely have eggs in it. But if you sterilze it, I dont see an issue and Vigoro is fine.
+Gary Pilarchik
I have a few questions about the procedure. You moisten the starting mix before the microwaving? Do you microwave the mix after you added the vermiculite?
I used boiling water to hydrate my peat. Then added the perlite. Great video thanks
Moisten before microwaving. Yep I microwave the peat and vermiculite. I would add perlite later after the process. The boiling water is perfect way to go.
Your recipe was OK when you are saying 1 part this , 1 part that. It's measurable and people can use different kinds of containers to be their "part".
But when you added in 8 ounces of perlite to the recipe, that depends on how big their "part" was. 8 ounces added to a large part is a smaller quantity than 8 ounces added to a small part.
However, I think the main takeaway from this is, we can mix our own potting mixes and we can customize it for various purposes, so that is great information!
True. Slip up. But for size of that container I used.
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@@THERUSTEDGARDEN So would the added perlite be 1 equal part just as the vermiculite or more?
Awesome tutorial. Thank you!
Thanks for watching.
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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Had things potted in organic potting soil and now have gnats! Guess I'll take the plants out and go thru the process then repot???
It happens a lot indoors. Good luck.
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Can I use this mix for indoor potting mix ( 4 part of peatmoss 1 part of vermiculite and 1 part of perlite ). Like growing Herbs on the side of a window or it'll miss something on the long run. ? And THX again for your video.
Yeah that sounds like it would work. Good luck.
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@@THERUSTEDGARDEN just water soluble fertiliser once a week will be enough ? Thx for the answer.
Hello! Can I sterilize a whole bag of store bought potting mix and then re-store it in a zip lock bag or container?
You could in theory
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Sorry, I meant to add the perlite to the starting mix. In other words, what is the size of bowls you use?
You know I dont have those bowls anymore. But a larger size mixing bowl really.
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It seems these ingredients are PRICEY. Please let us know where to shop.
You just have to look around. Peat moss in 2 cubic foot bails is like $14 at home depot.
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Question: could I substitute Coco coir for peat moss?
I ask only because that’s what I have at home 😂
Thank you!!!
Yep always.
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Perfect timing, I am transplanting my tomatoes and okra seedlings to bigger cups tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.
Good luck
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