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Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

Posted by queenofthemountain 9b SoCal (My Page) on
Sat, Apr 10, 10 at 14:33

Until this year I started everything in Planter's Pride pellets. They worked fine for me, but this year I decided to try seed starting mix in pots.

Based on reading GardenWeb I got Jiffy and Miracle-Gro seed starting mixes (have not found ProMix around here).

Just for fun I did a few side-by-side plantings. I planted the same seeds at the same time, one set in Jiffy mix and one set in Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix.

The germination and growth differences were pretty interesting. All the seeds in Jiffy mix germinated much slower and grew less vigorously.

Husky red cherry tomato
Husky red cherry tomato (Jiffy left, Miracle-Gro right)

Litchi tomato (Morelle de Balbis)
Litchi tomato (Morelle de Balbis) (Jiffy left, Miracle-Gro right)

Green tomatillo
Green tomatillo (Jiffy left, Miracle-Gro right)

A couple of days ago I received my order of Natural Beginnings seed starting mix from Gardens Alive. I have another side-by-side started with Miracle-Gro and Natural Beginnings, will report back when that has grown out.


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

I love experiments!

Thank you for sharing : )

Keep us posted

Keriann~


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RE: Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

I do too, and it looks like you can't argue with the evidence here that the MG seedlings are much bigger and healthier looking!


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RE: Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

hmm, just started mine in Jiffy, darn. Lemme know how that other stuff works, interesting indeed.


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RE: Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

PLEASE,PLEASE tell me how do you post the pictures directly in the forum?
I can't figure it out (deadhead). The only way I know is to post a link to my photo bucket account, but I would like to directly post on the forum!

THANKS! Sorry :-)


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RE: Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

On photobucket, copy the HTML code line under your photo. Paste it in your message. Voila!


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RE: Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

My next comparison was Miracle-Gro vs. Natural Beginnings seed starting mix from Gardens Alive.

Chichiquelite Huckleberry
Chichiquelite Huckleberry - Gardens Alive left, Miracle-Gro right

Chichiquelite Huckleberry germination:
3/3 MG
1/3 GA

Ground Cherry germination:
4/6 MG
6/6 GA

No clear winner on germination, but long-term growth was better in the Gardens Alive mix. While results were pretty clear comparing Jiffy vs. Miracle-Gro, I will do some more comparison plantings between Miracle-Gro and Gardens Alive.

Obviously this is a very limited survey, your mileage may vary.


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RE: Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

This is wonderful! Thanks for posting your experiments! I was just shopping for a new starter soil and was researching the GA mix. Definitely going the GA route. Thanks again for doing the "dirty" work :)


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RE: Seed starting mix comparison (pics)

For those of us doing the slower growers how about starting some slow ones like Pentas? Al


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