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01-09-2008, 04:44 PM #2
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Soil Mixes
For germination, a completely unfertilized 'seedling mix' is ideal. It should have a pH around 6.7 or so, and nice fine texture, and plenty of perlite. I am a fan of Farfard seedling mix from the farm supply.
I don't know the peat:lime ratio offhand, but remember that peat moss has a very low pH, as low as 4.5!!!
so you will need to add lime to stabilize that, and then keep a close watch on your runoff numbers.
For micro nutes, your FoxFarms will contain micro nute ingredients but there are a couple products that you may find helpful for using as foliar spray supplements if you have any problems resulting in lockout/deficiency. Either the 'micro' from the general hydroponics 3-part, or a product called Algoflash are appropriate for this.
Superthrive is helpful for transplanting.
A sturdy plant sprayer bottle that holds a measured quart is SO SO SO helpful to have.
Some concentrated neem oil for fighting pests, fungus, and water loss is just a GREAT tool in your cabinet. You can find it at any garden center, especially one that caters to organic gardeners. Even Home DePOT carries a neem product called 'gardensafe fungicide 3'.
IF you don't feel like messing with a soil MIX for seedlings, those expandable peat puck things they sell for seedling starting in springtime work just fine.
Just be careful using peat moss. Prepare to have to raise your pH later on down the line at some point. pH up and down from the hydro shop will become a necessity. One way to minimize problems from this is to repot into FRESH soil frequently; you'll start in a small cup, puck, or nursery 6-pack, then go to a 3" pot, then a 6" pot, then a gallon, then 3 gallons, so that the roots always have fresh, light soil to explore. The problems with a peat based mix will start to appear after about 6-8 weeks after you have first 'wetted' the soil.
Good luck.
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