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Re: Article: Afresh look at propagation Composts

Dear Duane:
	A Fresh Look at Propagation Composts by David Hide in 4/97 The Garden,
p. 268-270 contained real gems of propagation information.  I'm still
accumulating the raw materials for trying his excellent suggestions. 
Could only find fine and medium grade vermiculite in 4 cubic foot bags
and that is still somewhere in the nether reaches of UPS. 
	The use of fine and medium grade vermiculite on top of the soiless seed
starting mix intrigues me.  Although the vermiculutite wouldn't replace
#1 chick grit on the outdoor germinated seeds because the heavier grit
wouldn't blow off as easy.  The NW windstorm in Dec., 1995 did prove
that seed pots with grit aren't always protected.    
	Timing on the addition of Osmocote to seed pot is something that need
to be thought about.  Hide suggests the addition of Osmocote when you
create your seed starting mix.  I haven't added Osmocote to my plants
until after they've developed their first true leaves.  When do you add
Osmocote?  I use 17-6-10 + minors for perennials, shrubs and trees
because it lasts 8-9 months and because my soil is nitrogen deficient
and 14-14-14  for annuals and veggies because it lasts 3-4 months.  
	Tailoring your seed starting mix to the needs of the plant makes
sense.  We've all added either Perlite or  Orchid bark to our Reddi
Earth for seeds with different needs.  But to use Hide's suggestion and
create custom mixes for each species opens a new avenue to excellence.  
	As to rockwool I purchased two stripes of rockwool.  The flats look to
me like they require the same type of plant in each flat.  As a home
gardener often I'll root just a few cuttings.  I've been using 2 1/2 x 2
inch pots as well as 2 1/2 x 4 for most of my cuttings.  Trees and
shrubs I've been using some ancient 2 x2 inch square tubes open on the
bottom that are 6 inches long.  Wonder if there is a source of rockwool
that I could customize to my whims.  
	Although seedlings are coming out my ears I seem to be taking a break
from seed sowing.  Usually I do this for awhile each spring then miss
the seeds and start again in mid summer.
	
Best, Vicki

Duncan McAlpine wrote:
> 
> Has anyone read the article from David Hide in The Garden mag would like
> to provide comments?
> --
> Duncan McAlpine, Federal Way, WA   m*@eskimo.com
> Why buy plants when you can grow them yourself.....?
> http://www.eskimo.com/~mcalpin/
> http://www.eskimo.com/~mcalpin/pumkin.html
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