if are having problems with seedlings u should try sprouting in straight vermiculite pre soaked in 6.8 ph water, always pre soak ur soil in ph'd water. also keep the soil/material constantly damp, u don't want the soil to dry out until the plants are strong enough, just spray the top of the soil gently to keep it damp as often as necessary, but not too much. u are on the right track, but remember going cheap will get u cheap results. look into fox farms products. peace.