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Upa Creek, Mo

I was looking at a kit online that contains vermiculite, kelp, humic, fulvic, and mycorrhizae all in an earthworm casting cube. It is also supposed to be sufficient for easy transplant outside with little root shock.

Just curious as to what you use? I'd hate to lose a good seed next year due to inexperience. Thanks

Luke

11/3/2010 8:37:45 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Luke, curious as to the size of this cube? The mix sounds okay, but the size of the container is also important!! I start seeds in 1 gallon containers...if there is a delay of a couple days, cause of bad weather...then I am still not restricting root growth. Peace, Wayne
PS...lots of good folks start in small containers!!!

11/5/2010 2:12:33 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

website addy? where you found these cubes? Peace, Wayne

11/5/2010 2:13:13 AM

Quebec

Be carefull if there is myccorrhizae in it we used some starting soil with that in it and the first leaves were curled up, not sure if it was not mixed properly.

11/5/2010 5:29:58 AM

Saskatchewan Fosston Canada

Ejab.I had the same problems as you.

11/5/2010 12:11:39 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Here's the link. This might be better for tomatoes etc...

What type of soil do you use with the 1 gallon container? I have also heard to use what is out in the ground to prevent less shock when transplanting outside.

http://www.extremepumpkinstore.com/ecom-prodshow/culturecubes.html

11/5/2010 12:38:02 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Luke, I use a sterilized starting mix...and mix in a lil Myco!!! Have had very few prblms germinating, or transplanting, or growing the plants!!!! It's the pkns that I can't seem to grow!!! Best of luck in 2011!!! Peace, Wayne

11/6/2010 2:39:11 AM

Western PA

Luke , a lot of growers including myself, have great germ success with pro mix (starting mix). What ever you get, make sure it does not have ANY fertilizer in it. (Some miracal grow starting mix has some in it).I ruined a few seeds last spring by adding something to my pro mix.

As soon as the seedling pops out, start to get it in your garage (or some place cooler than your starting chamber) for an hour or two, and then gradually leave it out longer to get it hardened off. They won't have any shock then, when you put them out a week later in your hoop house.
There should be some good threads on hardening off if you search.

I agree with Peace Wayne 100%. I would also start mine in a 1 gallon container, incase the weather is bad and you have to delay for a week, then you will have more room for the roots to grow.

Practice with your Lowes seeds and you will be in business.

11/6/2010 9:09:09 AM

East Jordan, MI

Luke, I used plain potting soil -- was advised not to use fertilizer and not too wet. Use a large butter bowl or gallon ice cream bucket, upside down with the bottom cut out so that when you go to transplant it you dont have to disturb the roots. Just take the lid off the bottom, set it in the hole, gently squeeze to loosen sides and lift off. Unless you use a gallon or larger, you should get it out in a week so it doesn't get root bound, I kept my backups in a 2.5 gallon container inside for 2 weeks and they were ok, but probably couldn't have left it for more than 2.5 weeks -- and you need to "harden it off" like Zappa says. Also a great idea to practice on seeds that you don't care about. I built an incubator out of an Ice chest a 25 watt light bulb and a dimmer switch. I will be adding a thermostat this year because I had a little trouble with keeping the temp constant.

11/6/2010 7:50:18 PM

Western PA

Mix your starter mix by hand in a bucket or some clean container. You want it moist , not wet. If you can squeeze 1 drop of water from it, it is too wet. It is just like mixing worm bedding Luke, LOL ! I bet you have done that before.

11/6/2010 8:50:02 PM

Mass

you can cut your 1 gallon container in half from top to bottom, duct tape it back together, then peel apart when planting to avoid disturbance also.

11/7/2010 8:00:32 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Thanks everybody for the input! I'm going to take all the above advice and practice a few more rounds this winter with the Lowes seeds.

11/7/2010 1:39:13 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Luke, a wise man once said "Practice makes Perfect"!! I think you are on the right track!!! One quick ? tho...what time of year is the best brownback fishing in Kirkwood? Peace, Wayne LOL
PS...a very good, and cheap investment would be a soil thermometor (sp?)!!!

11/9/2010 1:53:25 AM

Upa Creek, Mo

Wayne, I cannot tell you where, but anytime of the year is fun for fishing as long as you can get the hook into the water and the rod guides don't freeze over!

11/10/2010 10:16:27 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Luke, when I show up on yer doorstep & ask to go fishin, are you gonna make me where a blindfold, till we get to the Honey Hole? and believe me, I know about frozen rod guides!!! I was at one point in time, an avid Ice Fisher type!!!! LOL Peace, Wayne
PS...did you get that soil thermometer yet?

11/11/2010 12:06:02 AM