My recalcitrant ways, SRM update

Photo on the right shows the poor results from using potting mix v Seed raising Mix (SRM). The four tubes, using potting mix, on the right were sown eleven days prior to the ones planted in a good SRM on the left of the photo.

Tyra from Tyras Garden, Daphne from Daphne's Dandelions ,and Tricia from Little eco Footprints all expressed interest in further information on Seed raising Mixes through comments they left after I posted about some recent failures due to being a bit lax in the potting mix/SRM department, titled My recalcitrant ways, so here goes.

I'll start by showing you the product I used and what they claim about it.

It's from Searles, a local SE Queensland company, this is the SRM I used to get the results in the photo above.

Searles Seed Raising Mix

With fertiliser

• Certified AS 3743 for seedling mix.
• Contains high percentage of Peat Moss.
• Searles Penetraide® Re-wetting Granules.
• High germination performance.
• Contains fertilisers for up to transplanting (approx. two-leaf stage).
• A light fine textured soft blend containing Peat Moss.
• Water absorbent formula.
• Excellent aeration properties for good root growth and establishment.
• Searles® quality guaranteed product.

• Available sizes: 5 Litres, 12 Litres, 30 Litres and 65 Litres.

What is the Australian Standard AS 3743–2002? Click here.

Ok so far so good.

Judging by the performance of the seeds I have planted I'd say what they are claiming is true.



Now then on the right is the potting mix I used with poor results.
What I was thinking was to save a few dollars by hoping there was enough stored energy in the seeds I planted and the lack of nutrient in the Potting mix I could make up by fertilizing with fish emulsion.
My guess is the potting mix which contained mostly course composted bark was still composting and robbed the mix of any nutrient to help in its decomposing processing process.
Therefore making it a poor substitute for a good SRM.


Now the SRM on the other hand has a good blend of course river sand and peat moss along with added nutrients and as they say the proof is in the pudding.


Clicking on the photos will give you a larger photo with more detail.
A right click will open in a new window.



Tricia from Little eco Footprints makes a mix from sand, compost (sieved) and shaved styrofoam with good results

Little Farm in the City also gave me the idea of doing a comparison of different types of potting mixes and SRM's, so when the weather clears up (yes it's kinda drizzling and foggy, as close to rain as we can hope for I think) I'll gather all the ingredients and do a big seed growing experiment and post the results.

If you have any further questions or if I've confused the issue in any way I sure like to here from you.

Cheers
Stewart

My recalcitrant ways

Regular readers would have read about me banging on about how I tried to cut some corners and use potting mix instead of a good quality seed raising mix (SRM) when it comes to planting seeds.

So here is why.

The four seedlings on the right of photo (click on photo to enlarge) were planted in potting mix on the 2/2/09.

The good looking ones one the left were planted in a good SRM on the 13/2/09. The photo was taken on 5/4/09

Obviously using a good SRM will save you time because you'll get them in the ground sooner and once in the ground they respond quicker.

There may also be a taste advantage because quickly grown veggies usually have a superior flavour, where as slow or stunted veggies can go bitter.

So there you have have it, don't be a cheap skate like me, although I have mended my recalcitrant ways, at least in this area anyway.

So, ya wanna' sow some seed do ya!!

Alright then, walk this way, no not that way this way.

First I work on the KISS, I "love rock n' roll", no not that one, the Keep it Simple Sally principal, so just grab some Seed raising mix(SRM) and bung it into your empty container of your choice.

Following the KISS principal I going to plant some Cos lettuce. Cos there so easy. Hah ha ha ha, Oh I kill myself sometimes.







Found one.
Now just a few notes
* Your SRM should be moist at this stage, not dust dry or tea bag out of your cup of tea soggy.
* When putting your SRM into your container don't squash it in tight just fill it up and give your container a bit of a tap and level off the top.











Here's on I prepared earlier.
After you will need to put a planting hole in the top of your SRM. Some people use a pencil, I use my finger. The required depth for Cos seeds is 3-5mm so just a divot with said finger and place one seed in each hole.
Some times you'll get advice to plant 2 seeds in each divot but I only want 3 seedlings for my garden so I'm sure of at least 50% strike rate.





If you want a 100% strike rate you'll probable get it with fresh seed but if you want to be sure then you can pop 2 seeds into each divot and when they germinate just carefully pull out the weakest one.


Now all that is left to be done is to cover the seeds to the required depth either by putting some extra SRM over the seeds or as I do just push the edge of the divot over the seeds.







Just a few things left, I always label my seedlings cos I will forget which is which.
Water the punnet. I use half strength fish emulsion for the first watering and after that never let the SRM dry out and don't over water.
I usually water when just the very top of the SRM is just starting to look like it's drying.
I also place the seeds in a well lit but shady area (dappled sunlight under a tree is good)until the seeds have been up for a week or so and then gradually introduce them to full sunlight and by then they should be ready to plant into your nicely prepared garden soil.
A rough time line. End 1 week, seeds of cos lettuce should be up by now and can be watered with another half strength fish emulsion.
End 2 week, seed should be 25/30mm tall and growing well.
End week 3, another half strength fish emulsion. Almost getting full sun
End week4, whack em into the garden, again, with another half strength fish emulsion.