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Old March 16, 2012   #1
jamserg
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Default Would like a time tested tip on feeding seedlings

If someone could share a way to feed seedlings from the very beginning and until transplanting, that was tested with time, I would greatly appreciate. I'm talking about some product available or some homemade formula.
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Old March 16, 2012   #2
b54red
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I just use Miracle Grow diluted to about 1/4 to 1/3 strength and bottom feed until they are potted up.
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Old March 16, 2012   #3
travis
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What b54red says as to diluted strength, but using a high phosphorus formula like Bloom Booster at nearly full emergence of first true leaves, then not again until cotyledons are spent, or until yellowing of cotyledons or true leaves indicate nutrient deficiency.
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Old March 19, 2012   #4
Douglas14
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I used Alaska Fish Fertilizer last year and my plants looked quite healthy IMO. I think I started using it shortly after transplanting my tomato seedlings to individual cups. I believe I have the 32 oz. size, which goes a long ways for me(should last me at least a few years). I just add it to water, stir it in, and water my plants regularily with it. I saw a bottle of it(I'm guessing it was 32 oz. size) recently at a local Walmart for $7 and change, it think.
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Old March 20, 2012   #5
RayR
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Ask 10 gardeners for a "time tested tip on feeding seedlings" and you are likely to get 10 different answers.

I use a a highly diluted fish/kelp blend normally, though I have been known to experiment with other organic ferts, but I don't feed them till they develop their first true leaves.
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Old March 20, 2012   #6
SEAMSFASTER
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This year I'm doing much higher volume. I'm planting in 288 plug trays in very fine medium with no nutrients. When I transplant up to 3-1/2" pots, I'm using a formula that was very successful for me last year:

- One 2.8 cf bag Sunshine Natural & Organic Professional Potting Mix
- Four cups Sustane 4-6-4 slow release fertilizer (turkey litter based, quite expensive but worth it in my opinion)
- One cup bone meal
- One cup Azomite (source of trace minerals)
- 1/4 cup Redmond sea salt (source of trace minerals)

Then I water only with plain rain water, warmed to room temperature, until the seedlings are sold or go into my gardens. As long as I can avoid over-watering or heavy rainfall, the seedlings seem to grow steadily and remain very healthy for four weeks or longer without any additional nutrients.

So there's the fifth opinion!
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Old March 20, 2012   #7
tgplp
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Here is a sixth option! I make a formula mixing one fourth teaspoon of fish fertilizer, one fourth teaspoon of liquid seaweed, and an eighth teaspoon earth juice bloom fertilzer with a big salad bowl of water. Works pretty well! Once the seedlings have flower buds, I up the earth juice bloom to one fourth a teaspoon as well.

Taryn

P.S. I also grow the seedlings in a compost blend.
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Old March 21, 2012   #8
jamserg
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Thanks, everybody for the help, I appreciate your input
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Old March 21, 2012   #9
nctomatoman
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I don't feed my seedlings at all - whatever nutrients that are in MetroMix 360 are all that they get until they are placed in their final location - and even then, using Miracle Gro potting mix with composted cow manure, I wait at least 3 weeks before I feed them at all. It is really easy to burn young seedlings - and they really don't need it. Just a good, sterile place to grow, and sufficient sun, air circulation and water.
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Old March 21, 2012   #10
CrazyAboutOrchids
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I've never fed my seedlings. This year I used Fox Farms Light Warrior and when I plant up I will mix in just a small portion of Fox Farms Ocean Forest. In previous years I've only used plan Jiffy seed starting mix.

Last edited by CrazyAboutOrchids; March 22, 2012 at 07:04 AM.
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Old March 21, 2012   #11
ssi912
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dyna gro foliage pro, .25 teaspoon to a gallon until first true leaves are set, then .5 teaspoon to a gallon until transplant, mix everytime i water, from seeds till planting out. even use it when planted out to speed up some of the slow ones.
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