Propagation: Need a seed starting soil mix recipe...

I started a lot of seedlings this year and found my seedling mix lacklustre. The seeds would sprout and grow, but quit growing well at a very young age. A big component in the mix was the compost from the Vancovuer landfill, which works well as a garden amendment...not so well as a seedling starter I guess!

Has anyone got a recipe/teachings for me on what goes into making a good seedling mix? I am not crazy about the commercial mixes as they are pretty much peat moss, and want to get prepared for next season.

Many thanks,
Janet

 

Organic Gardening

Have a look around at Tree Nut’s posts

I think this is same poster who I think had a website —- blog

So have a look and maybe some info will emerge.

 

There are 3 things I want in a seed-starting mix - that it drain well, be moisture retentive and sterile. I have been happy with commercial products. These are mainly a mixture of peat moss and perlite which I could buy separately and blend to my liking but I prefer the convenience of purpose-made products.

After the seeds have germinated and are starting to grow their second set of leaves (true leaves) I begin to water them with a very dilute fertilizer until they are large enough to handle and pot up into a larger pot.

 

Uh oh Margot - where is our master list of plant terms —- what is name for the first pair of beginner leaves — it was on here a few weeks ago

 

The Plants: Science and Cultivation Resources | UBC Botanical Garden Forums page has a link to Plant Information Center - Glossaries (ibiblio.org).

Colyledons. Edited, yes Cotyledons. It looked liked a "t" to me.

 

I could have sworn that the first "l" was a "t".

 

Very droll - coulda sworn, etc.