Pre- Hydrating Seed Starter Mix

[Ddebrazza]

Has anyone had experience using Jiffy Seed Starter or something similar? I have now used it twice, the first time 100% germination. This time, 2 out of 12.

I notice that the water has this tendency to pool on the surface and not absorb through.

The seed folks have been kind enough to offer replacement seeds so looks like I will get another shot at germination.

I am thinking that I put them a tad too deep and did not water enough.

/sad rant

 

[freezeland2]

Moisten the jiffy mix first. You can stir the mix when water is sitting on top and not absorbing. Once you have it good and moist sow your seed 1/4 - 1/2” deep and set it in a dark warm place. It should sprout in about 3 - 5 days. No more water needed until after it sprouts and then just mist and keep soil damp until ready for transplant.

 

[quirk]

Have you tried the Jiffy pellets? They're fairly bulletproof.

 

[ezenzyme]

I like to mix my own, starter mix is best when comprised of manly peat coco and peralite with a small amount of worm or compost. Used soil with a lil compost and peat/coco is perfect.

 

[Ddebrazza]

This is the same thing I used for my 1st grow and I had 100% germination rate. So I am fairly confident in still using the Jiffy mix. The difference between the two grows are the light, I went from using a 315W CMH to using a 460W LED.

I ended up getting 4 of the 12 seeds to pop through eventually, as of today. I am going to scrap them and await the new lot of seeds to arrive.

I will definitely pre-hydrate the Seed Starter this next time, not too much but a mix it well and not dry as saw-dust like it comes. I was wondering if other people did this and now hearing your advice, I am sold. I feel this is more than likely where I goofed. I put the seeds a tad too deep and the water never got down to them.

I almost feel like the CMH may be better for sprouting as well since it gets a little warmer..... Thoughts? LED vs. CMH for sprouting?