adding more perlite to soil for seedlings

[shnibbles]

hi everyone. my soil (original sea soil) has high N which i think is causing my seedlings bottom spear leaves to yellow. the bag says 2.1-.16-.05. so could i just use perlite to dilute the soil? like a 50/50 or more. i don't mind keeping up with watering. thanks for your help!

shnibbles Reviewed by shnibbles on 11-17-2013. adding more perlite to soil for seedlings hi everyone. my soil (original sea soil) has high N which i think is causing my seedlings bottom spear leaves to yellow. the bag says 2.1-.16-.05. so could i just use perlite to dilute the soil? like a 50/50 or more. i don't mind keeping up with watering. thanks for your help! Rating: 5

[Dutch Pimp]

mixing in Seed Starter soil at 50/50 works good for me; comes in small bags

I don't like 100% seed starter soil because it drys out too quick

I don't use much perlite...maybe 1%

[catbuds]

I like to use basic nut-less soiless mixes like we used in commercial greenhouses. Pro-mix being my favorite (the standard). Its a light mix consisting of milled spaghnum & perlite. I'd try mixing something similar into what you already have. For future reference, keep in mind the root structure of a new seedling. They burn very easily. Its best to use a mix with no nutes, NO feeding untill the second true leaf, & then the first feeding is best if you use a very diluted flowering nute. Why? Because it will stimulate root production. That would be phosphors & potassium. Go to your favorite growth nute after that, then your baby will have a need for nitrogen.