I got some very special (at least to me) seed crosses off e bay. I really want to get them to grow. So far I haven't had much luck starting seeds. Last year was my first...out of 15 seeds planted I got two great Noid brugs/ This year i have one out of 5 seeds up .
These new seeds are a cross of Pink smitty and Volkieand i'd really like to get more than one or 2 seedlings...
My question is.....Has anyone used coir to start seeds...and if so did you use it straight or add it to potting mix?
Also,were your results good?
Previously i used just potting soil..miracle grow or some such brand
I'd really appreciate any advice I could get as I am sooo green about seed growing.
Ive appreciated Bettydees advice on starting now i'd like to know about good growing mediums. sincerely, Helen
Coir use as a seed starter?
I soak my seeds for 24 hours then I split the outer shell off and plant them in miracle grow which I think is the best
Helen,
Coir should be OK to use. Just make sure you rinse and sterilize it. Sterilizing is important because it helps you avoid the fungi that cause damp off — the biggest seedling killer. You can sterilize the medium by baking it or with a 10% bleach solution. If you use bleach, be sure to let the medium stand for a while.
I've had the biggest success with either rockwool or the starter plugs from Parks. It's an expensive way to go, but if the seed is special, it may be worth it. Community pots are very popular, but I've given up on using them. I tend to damage too many roots or seedling stems.
bettydee...i was just looking up Parks..are you referring to the things they refer to as bio sponges? that bio derm seed starter set looks neat. I can't seem to determine what the sponges are made of....I'd guess whatever they are theyd be plantable?
If you use rockwool....do you have to pick the plant out of it or does it all go in the pot?
The bio sponge set looks like it'd be easier and safer for me having any luck growing
I use coir in all my plantings. I use 100% coir in my vegetables and 1/2 and 1/2 coir/Miracle Grow Moisture Control for all others. My thinking, (which could be way off since I'm new to gardening), is I want the control of how my vegetables are fertilized and I like having the slow release fertilizer for the plants that are not temporary.
Does that make sense? I have had good germination success using the coir and also bottom watering. I purchase my coir from BocaBob here on Dave's. I never have rinsed the coir since Bob says the best coir is from Sri Lanka where it is let sit and age over a long period of time. I hope I am explaining this right.
Tami :)
mollyms I got my coir from BBob also and have been using it for planting things from Lowes and home depot. It really does a great job for that purpose so that's why i thought about trying to use it, I have a huge box of jiffy pellets and i have really had bad luck with them..i get them too wet and they turn green or sometimes they dry out and the plant dies (my fault)
I guess maybe i'll do the planting in a few different ways...some coir..some core with MG potting soil and coir...some wirh just MG soil. thaaanks for letting me know that you have succesfully used the cor for seeds. Helen
gammy3
I've had the best germination rate using rockwool, but remembering Kell's warniing that rockwool holds a lot of water, I tweeze off a good deal of the rockwool before planting the seedlings into their first pots. I don't have to do that with Park's bio-sponges because they don't seem to hold as much water as the rockwool. The germination rate is almost as high as in rockwool.
Tami,
The reason for rinsing is tha a lot of coir contains sea salts which can kill tender seedling roots. It's better to be safe than sorry. My seeds were rather special.
bettydee,
I agree that it would be better safe than sorry. I just have never had to with the coir I purchased. Some coir, I believe I read from Mexico and different places, do have high amounts of salts that need rinsed but coir from Sri Lanka does not contain salt. It has something to do with were it is collected from. I'm terrible at explaining. LOL.
Here is one article that mentions the salt content:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/24
Tami :)