Starting those seeds

Here it is the 11th. of November and I'm already thinking "seed starting" for 2009. Actually, pansies will be planted next week so they'll be ready for transplanting out in late May into containers. The next variety of flowers/cold weather crops will be seeded after the first of the year and it'll go from there!
I'm trying my own seed starting mix this time around, came across some interesting information I'd like to pass on that may be helpful to others in regards to a "soiless" blend:
Sphagnum moss is a dried bog material. It's fairly sterile, can absorb 20 times its weight in water. Use in accordance with vermiculite and perlite.
Peat moss is comprised of decomposed aquatic plants, is very ACIDIC, does have water retaining capabilities.
Vermiculite contains high levels of magnesium and potassium, can hold nutrients, and is good for soil aereation.
Perlite really has nothing to offer but soil aereation, stays cool and is a good additive for seed starting mixtures.
Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulphur, the latter acting as a disease preventitive, and should be added to enhance seed germination.
Now for the "recipe": 2 parts milled sphagnum or peat; 1 part vermiculite; 1 part perlite and a sprinkling of salts. Dampen the mixture, place in *starting containers. Plant seeds, cover with DRY mixture and "water them in" using a fine spray so seeds won't be disturbed. Cover and wait!
*If using very deep containers or cells, fill to within 1 1/2 inches of top with regular lightly fertilized soil, "top off" with the soiless mix instead of filling them completely. Saves on starting mix; seedling roots will penetrate downward into the soil below, saves having to transplant later on.

 

Interesting stuff, weeds n seeds! I hope you'll keep us updated as to how this works. I suddenly felt the urge to sow something. Maybe some of the green sandwich spread stuff on cotton wool, can't remember what it's called now.

 

Nov. 24, 2008. First results are in: dianthus, in a seed row starter with NO bottom heat, are up several days before they should be. Gerberas, set on top of one of the Gro Lites for bottom heat 12 hours a day, are also showing results. Have found the mixture to be HIGHLY water retaining so care should be taken to only dampen before use, not super-saturate it. Place seeds on dampened "underlayment"; cover with same DRY mixture (to depth required); gently mist seeds in so as not to unseat them and monitor daily. WnS

 

Imagine that! You're a pro, no question about it.

 

Thank you for your "recipe". I am going to try it with my next batch of seeds.

 

Wow, thanks for the informative recipe and the followup! I'd been taught that vermiculite was just a filler material, that's a real eye opener and explains a few things. I'll mix up a batch to start my violets in my little portable greenhouse!

 

Good recipe, weeds. I use something similar in my self-contained boxes.
gardengater

 

That's an interesting-sounding mix...and seems successful for you already. Well done!

 

Do you keep your seedlings under the grow lights until ready to plant?

 

I start my seeds on grow mats, for bottom heat, in an unheated south-facing sunroom with large windows and skylights where they depend on sunny days for needed light, extra warmth. When well-established, they're transferred into a sunny unheated greenhouse equipped with a thermostatically controlled heat mat to use if need be, or cover plants..nights..with medium weight floating row covers. I don't use any artificial lighting except for orchids, African violets and zygo cactus cuttings, depend on Ole Sol for everything else.
Expensive grow lights aren't necessary: a simple overhead four foot shop light (that can be adjusted for height above the plants) and cool white tubes will easily do the trick..and IS way less expensive! Set it up on a timer to allow 12-14 hours of light per day (they cost less than $5) keep it about 4-6 inches above growing plants at all times and you're in business! Timer will turn lights off/on automatically, and shop light only costs pennies per day to operate if you decide to go that route. Using this method, you can start plants even in a dark cellar. Hope that answers your question(s), Gardengater. W'snS's

 

You make it sound so easy, Weeds. I'll have a go at it in a couple of months. Thanks