Hi everyone I have two 5x5 trays with seedlings growing under 12-14 hs of light. Soil is composed by peat and perlite. Most of the seedlings have grown well until they reached 4" tall. Then they appear to stop their growth. The third pair of leaves seems to take too much time to develop and those that already have appeared, does not spread yet. I delayed the repotting to wait until spring and then move plants outdoors. What do you think? Is it normal? Do not forget I am in Argentina and is winter here. Thanks a lot regards, Carlos Mar del Plata, Argentina
Hi Carlos They are probably taking a little rest whilst they develop their root system Many of my own little seedlings take more time than others to develop I just remain patient :)
That´s what I thought but they told me not to add fertilizer. Then do I have to add some fertilizer? In that case, which formula would be suitable for seedlings 4" tall? Thanks
cafernan, I'm beginning to sound like an advertisement but I feed my seedlings SuperThrive which is a cocktail of growth hormones and really adds size. How much longer before you can repot the 4 inch seedlings into 3-4inch pots with good potting soil and put them outside where gentle breezes can sway them and make them growth stronger roots. I find my seedlings near the end of winter get too leggy. Sounds like you've done a good job.
Hi Cafernan, This is my 2nd year growing JM seedlings. I feed them Salt based Miracle Gro almost every week from spring to mid summer; some of them are about 1 foot tall now. I am thinking about to reduce the ratio of nitrogen to put their energy on the roots for over wintering. Well, just my two penny experience. Below are couple photos I took on them about 7 weeks ago.
RE: I'm beginning to sound like an advertisement but I feed my seedlings SuperThrive which is a cocktail of growth hormones and really adds size. plant tissues need nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium to grow. peat and perlite do not have any. And neither does superthrive. It isn't fertilizer. That's not to say it doesn't have some use, it's just not a fertilizer. A small amount of a balanced fertilzer that has micronutrients (like Dyna Gro) would be fine.
Todd, I never said SuperThrive WAS a fertilizer. Everyone knows it is not because the label clearly says so in clear red lettering. I said my seedlings respond to it nicely. I'll let that speak for itself.
RE: What would be the right formula at this moment, 20-20-20, 10-10-10 ? The only difference between those is the concentration. What really matters is the ppm. But to keep it simple maybe something like the 7-9-5 dyna gro at 1/4 or 1/2 strength.
