Jiffy Seed Starting Mix
 

Have been away from the board for a while. Just wondering if anyone out there in Tomatoville has had problems with the Jiffy brand seed starting mixes this year. Our seeds have been sluggish this year, and the seed starting mix has been hard to wet, prone to molding, and just generally leaving a lot to be desired. Planted two flats of Mortgage Lifters and Millionaires last week in Pro-Mix, and they were germinated in four days.
Anyone else encounter problems with the Jiffy seed starting mix?

[FONT=Arial]I found the same … very hard to wet (it always is, but this year was worse) and seedlings had very poor growth. When I started transplanting into ProMix, some of the cells were dry as dust. I didn’t have any mold though. [/FONT]

You shure make me wonder. Earlier I started a bunch of tomatoes in miracle grow potting mix with great results. More recently I tried a few more in jiffy starting mix and am having all most no germination. I blamed the seed or the moon was wrong.
KennyP

I had the same problems. Had many no germinations and sluggish starts. Next year will be pro mix for sure. Southern States has 3.6 bail for $22.95

I used Jiffy mix for a few of my seeds and I didn't have any problems with germination, however I did have problems making sure the mix stayed wet; it seems to repel water instead of drinking it up like I'd expect.

Dan

I had great luck with the first two bags of Jiffy seed starter. I also started some in two other mixes and neither did as good as the Jiffy. One got moldy real quick,even before the seeds could pop up and the other dried out too quick.
I used the hot water in the bag to wet mine and after that had no trouble keeping it wet. The one thing I did notice is that even when it is wet it tends to look dry which is better than the Miracle Grow seed starting mix which looks wet when it isn't.
I'll be starting some seed with the Jiffy this week and will see if this recently purchased bag has problems.

The more I think about it, I am convinced it caused me problems. 12 days since 6 seeds in a tray..2 little sprouts. Another variety in 3 inch pot with 2 seeds, no anything. My usual is 4 to 5 days with a heat pad. I moved the 2 sprouts to a MG pot and replanted the other with my old stand by MG potting mix. It could be its water holdiing, or not holding that is makeing it touchey. Any way, the rest of the bag is dumped out on the garden.
KennyP

Last year I used Jiffy Mix and had no problems germination wise.But there was all kinds of sticks,and twigs in it.Think I even found a '68 Chevy bumper near the bottom of one bag :twisted: .This year my wife got me 2 Ferry Morse Mix bags, and very few sticks and twigs.On the Jiffy Mix, I added some Perlite last year,this year I didnt add it.I found no difference in germination.But Im sticking to the Ferry Morse brand for sure. Barry

I'm not a fan of Jiffy seed starting soil. Sometime last year I needed to start some seeds and only had Cactus, Palm, and Citrus soil so decided to give it a try rather than buying a new bag of Jiffy. Wasn't sure how seedlings would react but it turned out they reacted tremendously well, and much better than any seedlings I've ever had using Jiffy seed starting soil. By the time they were ready to transplant they looked as big, strong, and healthy as any seedling I've seen in a greenhouse for sale. And that was using only shoplights with bulbs that have needed replacing for a year because they had lost much of their effectiveness.

I will say though, I recently bought a new bag of MG Cactus, Palm and Citrus soil and it had more tiny sticks and other things than the first two bags I had used. The seedlings are still responding well, however.

I have used Miracle-gro as my seed starting mix for years without any problems. After all the discussion on a better way to start seeds without the added fertilizer, etc., I decided to go with a seed starter. I picked up Jiffy mix and all my tomatoes were sluggish in growth habit. None died, but everything was about two to three weeks behind. Lots of mold, too.

As soon as I did the first transplant I got the growth spurt I expected, but the stems were not as well developed as in the past. Will I go with a starter mix again? Probably not. Will I use Jiffy? No, never.

After all that, what I put in the ground on Monday will be OK and will produce. Not a catastrophe, just a learning situation.

I, too have always used Miracle Grow seed starting mix. After reading the post on the success rate with the Cactus, Palm, and Citrus mix, I bought some this year to try. Almost none of my seeds came up, and the ones that did looked terrible. So I started over with what was available at the local hardware store, which was Jiffy. Had much better germination, but the seedlings were stunted and I had the mold problem also. Last week I finished transplanting into 4" pots with Miracle Grow potting soil, and they have really taken off and done well. So for me, at least, lesson learned...stick with what works for you!!

[QUOTE=louster;167925]I, too have always used Miracle Grow seed starting mix. After reading the post on the success rate with the Cactus, Palm, and Citrus mix, I bought some this year to try. Almost none of my seeds came up, and the ones that did looked terrible. So I started over with what was available at the local hardware store, which was Jiffy. Had much better germination, but the seedlings were stunted and I had the mold problem also. Last week I finished transplanting into 4" pots with Miracle Grow potting soil, and they have really taken off and done well. So for me, at least, lesson learned...stick with what works for you!![/QUOTE]

louster,

Sorry to hear you had trouble with the Cactus, Palm & Citrus mix. It's worked very well for me, and I've started tomato, pepper, eggplant, sunflower, cucumber, melon, and squash so far. Only thing that hasn't germinated yet are the beans, but I just planted them a couple days ago and the seed is 4 & 5 years old.

Where I really notice the difference is when the seedlings are a few weeks old. I also like the fact the soil doesn't dry out super quick, yet doesn't get soggy unless I overwater.

But I agree, use what works for you. There's more than one way to skin a rabbit!

Omaha.....not your fault!!! We learn by trying new things....what I learned here is to try new things on a smaller scale first! Maybe I should try some of the Cactus mix when I transplant to 4" pots next year. I did like the texture of that mix.

Hoping we all have a great tomato-growing year!!
Louann

I've had mold problems with all seed starting mixes I have tried except the Jiffy last year. So I think the problem is you never know what these guys will put in their mix. Maybe some years they have better quality materials than other years. The newest bag of Jiffy I bought smells moldy even before I used it so I am expecting problems with it. I try to use a couple of different mixes each year for my main seed planting. That way if one gives me problems I usually have one or two that don't.
Seems to me they could be a little more consistant with their quality control. I have found great differences in the quality from time to time within the same brand.

I will sure go with what [URL="http://tomatoville.com/member.php?u=4228"]b54red[/URL] says. My best has all ways been MG potting mix. But this week i needed to start some more that I was short on. This bag of MG potting mix is nothing like what I am use to. Big chunks an such. I should have screened it but i did not. Now I worry that I may have a problem.
Kenny

Pictures speak for themselves. This picture was taken 4 weeks after sowing. On the left is Miracle Grow and on the right is Jiffy. Multiple varieties of tomatoes all seeded on the same day.

Man! That is proof enough for me. At least in your case.
Not to say that it applies to every bag, or just certain bags of jiffy.
Like I said, my last bag of MG potting was nothing like I am used to. It left much to be desired.
Could you guess that the problem is some thing with the way it handles water, or is the stuff just plain toxic to seeds?
Kenny

I make my own all purpose mix which works extremely well for germination as well as potting up. I also use it for my self watering containers which works very well. I stay away from miracle-gro products since they are not organic and have chemicals in them.

What I do is buy large bags of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite, and mix them at a 70/20/10 ratio (in that order). I mix them in a large 25 gallon plastic tote outside, the put the lid on and bring it in the house near my seed starting area. Making my own mix is much cheaper than buying pre-bagged stuff. It's enough to start thousands of seeds, pot them up, and get them out to the garden.

Thanks for the info on the 'mix your own'. Nice to know. Will have to try that.

I will say that when I put the seeds in the mix I thought that I would stick with Jiffy as it was much 'finer' and was easier to cover the seeds as the MG has more clumps of 'stuff'. But I have to say that I have used Jiffy in the past that I'm once burned twice shy now. I repotted all of the plants shortly after the picture and and all rebounded. I did get a late bunch of seeds that I started probably end of March which have all been at about one inch tall with tiny leaves for for over a month. I used MG Cactus soil as that's all I could find at that time. Even though I'm sure these are all great products (and we all know there are others) I will either mix my own as suggested or use Miracle Grow Seed Starter, period.

Fafard makes an excellent, finely-screened seed starting mix that can't be beat. Wets easily, doesn't compact excessively and has no sticks or other debris to block seedlings from sprouting. The problem is that I don't think Fafard products are as widely distributed as the big name retail products, since much of their business caters to commercial growers.

If you can find it, you won't be disappointed! :worthy:

Link to the product mentioned above: [URL]http://www.fafard.com/index.php?p=136[/URL]

[QUOTE=Mischka;168250]Fafard makes an excellent, finely-screened seed starting mix that can't be beat. Wets easily, doesn't compact excessively and has no sticks or other debris to block seedlings from sprouting. The problem is that I don't think Fafard products are as widely distributed as the big name retail products, since much of their business caters to commercial growers.[/QUOTE]

(sigh) The closest retailer is 170 miles away.

Perhaps you could check with any wholesale greenhouse suppliers that may be in your area? This is where I buy mine.

I am just going to add to this to say that the last bag of MG potting mix that i have is the worst stuff i have very used. I may lose the seedling I have started in it. The only way I can keep them wet is to keep the pots in a bottom of water. Note that I have all ways used MG before and liked it, but this last stuff is nothing like what it used to be.

Just started some seed in mix from my latest bag of Jiffy. I hope mine is better than some I have read about because I have 4 bags bought on sale. Should know something on the tomatoes in a week or so and the peppers in two or three.

Lol, this post was started the day after I bought a bag of jiffy mix. gonna use it & see what happens.

About the only seed starting medium I use anymore is Ferry Morse. I do utilize a few "tricks" with it. I never use this years bags! I always keep a supply from the year before or even better two years before that is kept dry in my garden shed. Then I fill my trays a good month or more before I begin to sow any seed. I soak it really well and cover with the clear plastic domes. It will become it's own little eco-system and condensation forms on the cover and falls back into the medium. I'll add more moisture as needed.
After at least a month of this I'll plant my seeds on a good moon sign and they usually germinate within 3-4 days. I keep them in the gas oven where the pilot light supplies enough heat to keep temperature ideal. Once germinated they go under the lights during daylight hours and back into the oven at night.
Have had almost 100% germination doing this for a few years now.
I would never buy any miricle grow product ever again. It used to be decent but lately I have had all sorts of debris, including large pieces of wood, stones, metal and lots of old used peat pots, but what really convinced me to stop using it was a large shard of glass that was in a bag and wound up it my hand as I was reaching for an additional handful.
I also make sure any bags I buy are dry inside. Too many places allow them to sit out unprotected and they freeze during cold weather and develop mold, once wet, from either condensation or outdoor storage.
Just little things that one picks up over the years. I've also done comparison tests between different mediums, planting at the same time, and treating all equal. there are major differences from one to another!
Camo

That's quite a system, Camo! Whatever works, though, right? I am using ProMix for the first time and haven't had any problems yet. Is the Ferry Morse brand found in local stores in PA? What difference did you notice that makes you prefer to 'age' it first?

I have been using MiracleGrow potting mix to grow seedlings for years with good results. In this age of mass production, you're bound to get a bum bag sooner or later...no matter what brand you use. I feel if you grow testtube transplants, they're gonna have a tough time making the transition to yard soil.

Kath,
I've always found Ferry Morse brand in Lowe's, but I think its carried by many major chain stores.
I first discovered "aging bags a couple years ago, when I noticed that sseds planted in older leftover seed starter were germinating in half the time of those in new bags of the same medium. I discovered the filling and wetting the little eco-systems by accident just this year as I started a tray only to discover the moon phase wasn't correct so I set it aside for almost a month before actually planting and then got another tray started the same day. Had 100% germination on the original tray, it took over two weeks for everything to sprout in the second tray. To be fair and honest, the second tray was 3/5 tomatoes most of which germinated in 3-4 days but the 2/5 sweet peppers only had two come up right away and seemed to take forever for the remainder!
I keep very accurite journals of all my garden activities year after year, and by going back over them you begin to notice trends that would normally have been missed or overlooked.
Happy Gardening and good luck with using Pro-mix.
Camo

[quote=dustdevil;168473]I have been using MiracleGrow potting mix to grow seedlings for years with good results. In this age of mass production, you're bound to get a bum bag sooner or later...no matter what brand you use. I feel if you grow testtube transplants, they're gonna have a tough time making the transition to yard soil.[/quote]


Dustdevil,
Whatever works for you, but after a large number of their largest bags (I think they were 6 cubic feet, and I was going through 6-8 of them /season), having so much debris and having to go into the emergency room for stitches I was done with them forever!
Camo