question?

[zekeyboy]

My wife bought some soil for her flowers the other day, and I was wondering if I could use it to start my seedlings? It's Shultz potting soil plus. But it says it's for African Violets and flowering plants. Will it work, or not? Never used it. Just thought I'd try to save myself a little $. Thanks.

[headshake]

My wife bought some soil for her flowers the other day, and I was wondering if I could use it to start my seedlings? It's Shultz potting soil plus. But it says it's for African Violets and flowering plants. Will it work, or not? Never used it. Just thought I'd try to save myself a little $. Thanks.

it will work. just be careful because it should have nutes in it already. so you won't have to feed them for a couple of weeks. (but you still have to water them.)


-shake

[spiked666killer]

Well... You posted this in the out door growing section.
So I only can assume your growing out doors.

So why don't you just plant them in the ground?
Germinate them, And plant them, They will sprout in a few days.


If your talking about just sprouting them and planting them, Then yeah theyd probly be fine..


But then again, I shouldnt Ass*u*me anything.

It just makes an Ass out of you and me.

[zekeyboy]

Well... You posted this in the out door growing section.
So I only can assume your growing out doors.

So why don't you just plant them in the ground?
Germinate them, And plant them, They will sprout in a few days.


If your talking about just sprouting them and planting them, Then yeah theyd probly be fine..


But then again, I shouldnt Ass*u*me anything.

It just makes an Ass out of you and me.It's too cold right now. I always start them inside mid to late Feb., and put in ground mid to late Mar. I just sit them on the window panes for a month. No lights or anything. I just like to give them a little head start, so they're stronger when they go outside. It rains a lot in March and April in Ga.

[AKickedBowl]

Personally, I really don't think the idea of nutrients being included in the soil (at least in large enough amounts where you don't need to add to the soil) is a very good idea. I've always had success using plain old dirt for seedlings. Seedlings are very sensitive and all they really need is plenty of light, a temperate space, and adequate water (don't water too much, use your head and eventually you'll gain a feel for it).

One more thing you should definitely be aware of is that once you plant has rooted into soil with included nutrients there is really nothing you can do in the case that it starts to become over-fertilized. Most soils with nutrients included function by water being introduced to soil (in other words when you water, the soil feeds itself as a reaction), which means you can't "flush" the soil of its nutrients like you can when you feed it yourself with seperate nutrients.

If you insist on making use of the soil, I would mix it with regular dirt first (say half and half) to weaken its strength.

[spiked666killer]

Most common soils the fertz already in them aint that strong to kill a plant.
A plant can survive alott more than you think.
Well execpt for a lawn mower.
lol.

[zekeyboy]

Personally, I really don't think the idea of nutrients being included in the soil (at least in large enough amounts where you don't need to add to the soil) is a very good idea. I've always had success using plain old dirt for seedlings. Seedlings are very sensitive and all they really need is plenty of light, a temperate space, and adequate water (don't water too much, use your head and eventually you'll gain a feel for it).

One more thing you should definitely be aware of is that once you plant has rooted into soil with included nutrients there is really nothing you can do in the case that it starts to become over-fertilized. Most soils with nutrients included function by water being introduced to soil (in other words when you water, the soil feeds itself as a reaction), which means you can't "flush" the soil of its nutrients like you can when you feed it yourself with seperate nutrients.

If you insist on making use of the soil, I would mix it with regular dirt first (say half and half) to weaken its strength.I'm trying to sprout some seeds. They're not plants. They're seeds. Maybe I should've just said can I sprout some seeds in that kind of soil..

[headshake]

I'm trying to sprout some seeds. They're not plants. They're seeds. Maybe I should've just said can I sprout some seeds in that kind of soil..

zeke, the soil will work fine. i use miracle grow soil (and eventually i started mixing in more perlite). it has some "built-in" nutes and it works fine. i germinated my seedlings and popped them in. no problems what-so-ever. so you'll be fine.

keep the soil damp, not wet. no worries. happy planting.


-shake

[zekeyboy]

zeke, the soil will work fine. i use miracle grow soil (and eventually i started mixing in more perlite). it has some "built-in" nutes and it works fine. i germinated my seedlings and popped them in. no problems what-so-ever. so you'll be fine.

keep the soil damp, not wet. no worries. happy planting.


-shakeThe reason I'm asking is because it's been 5 days and they have'nt sprouted yet. Mine usually sprout in 3 or 4 days.

[spiked666killer]

You germinated them, And planted them... But they havn't sprouted?


Things like this can take up to two weaks.

[Lit Up]

"weeks"....they are not germinated spike, he is trying to do that. And I must add that Expert Gardener soil has burned up seedlings on me before, never MG which I prefer. I just take my old Mg and throw it in my little compost bin in my basement, an experiment in progress.

What about temps, moisture, and other factors that could play in?

[zekeyboy]

You germinated them, And planted them... But they havn't sprouted?


Things like this can take up to two weaks.I just put the seeds in the soil and added a little water, just like I do every year. I never germinate.