From

Location

Message

Date Posted

maine USA

I am wondering how many of you start your seeds, in sterile potting soil or place them after germination in sterile potting soil vs garden soil.
I have been using potting soil {not sterile}. I wonder if using garden soil from the beginning might be a way to cull out some of the weaker plants, that might could be a lot of trouble with disease during the season, and produce little for all of the trouble.
I do realize there there are some very coveted seeds out there that a grower just can't take a chance on losing.
But if a seed germinates well and thrives in regular garden soil, this might be a great way of determining which seedling should go in the garden.
Also, I would think that there has got to be a great shock to the seedling going from a very controled virtually trouble free situation to the patch where it is suddenly exposed to all sorts of microscopic "critters".
I may just have too much time to think this time of the year. I think I need a winter hobby! thanks KathyT

12/27/2007 4:00:04 PM

Fairfield Connecticut

hello kathy .i tried that once and it never worked for me.i use organic pots and organic potting soil.as far as the science i cant help you with that.i stick to what works.(roger from connecticut)bye.

12/27/2007 4:16:47 PM

Minnesota

I'm using good store bought potting soil, last year I used regular black dirt and I had some that did not come up, I think it will make a difference.

12/27/2007 4:24:01 PM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

what brands do u use?

12/27/2007 4:49:13 PM

Ohio

Get some bags of "Pro-Mix". Dump a bunch of it in a big bowl. Slowy add water and hand mix it until the entire amount of mix is just slightly damp. Then put the mixture in your starting pots. Move your pots to were you start your seeds for germination.

12/27/2007 4:59:27 PM

Wallingford,CT

patch dirt works for me every time. kiss

12/27/2007 5:10:58 PM

Western NY

Pro-Mix BX here.

12/27/2007 6:51:26 PM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Premiere Pro-Mix BX with Mycorise

12/27/2007 7:20:17 PM

Fairfield Connecticut

where do you buy this premier pro -mix bx?thanks,roger..

12/27/2007 7:56:13 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

If you use Garden Soil...Sterilizing it in the Microwave helps. Be forwarned though it can get stinky.

12/28/2007 7:28:56 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Patch soil here,I used to pasteurise but stopped to avoid killing the soil life.I think the conditions are more important than what you use.

12/28/2007 8:00:42 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Kathy, I make my own using 1/3 peat moss, 1/3 perilte, 1/3 vermiculite.

12/28/2007 8:55:31 AM

Ontario, Canada.

Premiere Pro-Mix BX comes from a company in Quebec called MixPremier Bio-Technologies.

I don't know want stores or retail outlets carrier it but here is my contact info from the companies head office. Please make sure you tell him you are a giant pumpkin grower and that Russ Landry gave you his contact info.

Marc Beland, Biol. M.Sc.
MYKE PRO sales manager
1-800-606-6926
Direct: 418-867-8883 ext. 6422
belm@premiertech.com

12/28/2007 9:02:28 AM

maine USA

thanks guys Kathy

12/28/2007 10:28:25 AM

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Russ, do you have any issues getting a medium with a lot of peat moss to wet evenly?

12/28/2007 10:55:32 AM

Adams County

is seed starting mix ok ? like schultz or mir-gro.

12/28/2007 6:45:45 PM