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Minnesota([email protected])

I start my A.G. seeds by presprouting them(moist paper towel and plastic baggie method).
Is it O.K. to use potting soil to plant the sprouted seeds in? Or is a soiless medium, or sterilized soil recommended? I bought some potting soil from a local nursery, and don't know if it's sterilized.....they bagged it up in ten pound bags....it's apparently what they use. No writing on the bag.

4/27/2008 2:05:31 PM

Picton,ON ([email protected])

See the post below!

4/27/2008 6:37:16 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

Yes. I guess it depends on what regular potting soil it. I use the bagged stuff usually Miracle grow potting soil. Occasionally I have used Miracle grow garden soil and I have used no name brand potting soil as well. They are going into the garden in less then a week. I see no problem using regular potting soil.

4/27/2008 7:16:54 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I would be just a little leery of wood chip based potting soil. Over the winter I did some germination tests on some really cheap potting soil, and I was getting... less than half to germinate! Going back to my Fertilome, which is pretty much a standard peat/vermiculite/pearlite type of mix, my germination rates are respectable again. I had 16 of 17 germinate, although two were club roots. The one I'm still waiting on is an 869.5 Calai.

As for wood chip based stuff, I don't know... maybe it doesn't impart enough moisture to the seed, or maybe there are compounds in it which hinder seed germination.

4/27/2008 10:32:27 PM

San Jose [email protected]

i have had no problems with regular potting soil, except when i let it sit over the winter and then planted my 1502 in it last year :-< otherwise close to 100% germination. it is my understanding the seedlings dont need anything from the material they are started in, once you soak the seeds for 4 hours and your soil isnt bone dry you should be good to go

4/28/2008 10:15:33 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Thanks for the replies. I'm going with a potting mixture. Being they are pre-sprouted, hopefully it will decrease the chance of the seed rotting.

4/28/2008 10:56:35 PM