Forum home› Tools and techniques
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Fertilising seedlings? Yes/No? Any recommended products?

CulpabilityBrownCulpabilityBrown Posts: 63
in Tools and techniques

Hi all, I will soon be growing some seeds: veggies (eg tomatoes/chillies) and ornamentals (eg sweet pea/verbena/delphinium).

What is the general consensus on feeding seedlings?  I have mainly heard that you don't feed seedlings till you pot them on (if at all), do you agree? Or would you not feed them at all till planting out?

Also, does this rule apply differently to veggies and ornamentals?  I read somewhere that you should feed the potted on veggie plants every two weeks?  What's your opinion?

Also, do you have a recommended brand of general feed/fertiliser that you use for seedlings (if that is your method)?

Thanks.

Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    You can use seaweed extract from the seedling stage onward which will supply micro-nutrients and minerals that will help with health and development, but as pf says above most commercial composts have around 6 weeks of fertiliser incorporated into them.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • micearguersmicearguers Posts: 646
    As I understand it seedling compost is not very rich in order to promote root growth. With feeding at the seedling stage you'll risk an underdeveloped root system.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Yes too much feed at this early stage is more likely to kill them off. Better to prick them on into the next stage & let them develop naturally. 
    AB Still learning

  • CulpabilityBrownCulpabilityBrown Posts: 63

    Righty ho, seems like feeding is generally a no-no then.  Thanks for the seaweed extract tip though!

    Thanks all!

Sign In or Register to comment.