When to fertilize the babies

Greetings, Will someone tell me when to fertilize my babies, or if I should at all. I have cosmos that are about 4" tall, butterfly weed, portulaca, verbena, impatiens, alyssum, foxglove, and some other things whose markers have been misplaced. I bought some MG all purpose plant food. (12-4-8) Is this ok for my babies or is there something else that would be better for the young'uns?

I start fertilizing when they have true leaves. I've usedregular fert'lizer diluted by one half with good results but they do love the plant starter fertalizer 10-52-10 to get going (cheap here by the bucket at the hardware store). My seedlings also love fish fertalizer but to be honest with you the strong smell makes me gag so I only use it as a foliar application on plants in the outdoor beds now. I think the suppliers know this cuz my jug says "for outdoor plants" LOL. Hope this helps.

I also start fertilizing when they have their true leaves. I usually dilute to quarter strength at first, then when they're a little bigger I'll move to 1/2 strength. (I've used varying brands of fertilizer, usually Ironite but sometimes whatever I have around)

Thanks, DN, is there a "plant starter fertilizer"? My numbers are varying vastly from yours. I don't want to burn them, but would like to see some of them get a move on:-)) Thanks again, isn't this site just the greatest?

Thanks E3, so it seems that as long as it is weakend sufficiently, most anythinkis ok, is that right? Thanks again gp

ginpan anything that's has high phosporous for root development will work just fine and as you don't want to burn the new tenders roots so you want to dilute any full strength fertilizer. This is the one I use but there's lots more out there that I'm sure are just as good. http://www.plant-prod.ca/product_e.php?id=352&category=78