Re: HYB-seed germination questions

From: HIPSource@aol.com

In a message dated 5/24/99 8:15:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
wmoores@watervalley.net writes:

<< 	I've always had a fear of that.  But, I think using pure potting soil 
is too porous, and that is why my mix is 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 sand, and 1/3 
my own garden soil. >>

I use straight vermiculite for anything which does not require the effects of 
frost to germinate. That is, broadly speaking, the siberians, the japanese, 
the tectorums, and the water irises. You have to remove the seedings at a 
fairly young age since there is no nutritional value in the medium, but you 
get splendid root systems which are not injured upon removal. The medium also 
does not support fungal growth, nor is it likely to have the eggs of fungus 
gnats, which I'm sure are prevalent in peat based potting mixes. And nasty 
little bugs they are to get going in your pots, especially inside.

<<Another thing with my mix, some will say it is no longer a sterile medium, 
which is true.  A little application of terrachlor will prevent or control 
damping off. >>

I think that while good hygeine is necessary, for many seeds sterile media 
are not as critical as we are often lead to believe. Also there is some 
suggestion in the literature that some seeds benefit from the effects of 
chemicals present in decomposing vegetable matter such as they would 
encounter in the wild. Thus for all seeds which require the effects of 
winter, and which I leave outside over the winter, I use an organic medium.

I have not had any problems with damping off of iris seeds, although I'll 
occasionally get a problematical one which fails to thrive. I don't use 
garden soil in my pots. Perhaps that makes a difference. But I basically 
don't expect any organic medium to be sterile, or remain sterile for long if 
exposed to the air.

Anner Whitehead
HIPSource@aol.com





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