Fertilizer for indoor seedlings

[JohnAndSancho]

I've used a mix of slow release, Jobes palm food, and fish emulsion/seaweed/humic acid in the past but is there anything in particular that's awesome for small indoor seedlings? The fish and seaweed stuff doesn't smell all that great. I guess it wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have to keep these plants in my bedroom due to cats and kittens, and Sancho would eat the Jobes lol. 

[Paradise Found]

On 2/4/2024 at 5:54 PM, JohnAndSancho said:

I've used a mix of slow release, Jobes palm food, and fish emulsion/seaweed/humic acid in the past but is there anything in particular that's awesome for small indoor seedlings? The fish and seaweed stuff doesn't smell all that great. I guess it wouldn't be an issue if I didn't have to keep these plants in my bedroom due to cats and kittens, and Sancho would eat the Jobes lol. 

You can buy seedling fertilizer otherwise called starter fertilizer at the bb store. It has good stuff to promote good root growth and top growth. Comes in organic or miracle grow makes it too 

If you have a bag of compost or homemade compost you can make your own starter fertilizer by putting in a strainer or cheese cloth and run warm water over it and just use the liquid, or add more water to make it weaker.  Pretty simple and effective 

Edited February 6, 2024 by Paradise Found

[Than]

I agree about compost tea. I'm guessing that compost tea from worm castings would be best and safest?

[PalmsandLiszt]

I only use osmocote for seedlings, if at all. Seedlings really don't need much by way of food (if not grown in a soil-less medium), and are easy to kill with too much. Light and temperature are much more important. You cannot really go wrong with osmocote, IMO (assuming this is available where you are; if not, find the most similar slow-release). But if your seedlings aren't growing as fast as you think they should be, I think it's pretty likely down to light, temperature and medium (for good root development) and not fertilizer.

[qalsua]

By light, do you mean these LED grow lights are needed?

[fotodimatti]

Hi folks,
Please ,tell the formula/ratio of your recommendations. As in N – P – K.
I am not in the US. So I need to look for similar stuff (here in Germany).
Thanks a lot!
Matti

[SeanK]

5 hours ago, fotodimatti said:

Hi folks,
Please ,tell the formula/ratio of your recommendations. As in N – P – K.
I am not in the US. So I need to look for similar stuff (here in Germany).
Thanks a lot!
Matti

2-1-3 (multiples of)

Try to find one with Mg and Mn.

[JohnAndSancho]

I bought 2 pounds of Osmocote. If it lasts as long as Carl Pool I'm good until 2025. 

[PalmsandLiszt]

On 2/10/2024 at 2:49 AM, JohnAndSancho said:

I bought 2 pounds of Osmocote. If it lasts as long as Carl Pool I'm good until 2025. 

That ought to last a good time; you don't need very much of it for small plants. Once you start using handfuls of the stuff then switch to something cheaper and liquid with good trace elements.

Osmocote really should be paying me. I don't know how many times I've said nice things about it on here. Are you reading this, Osmocote? I can change my name to 'PalmsandOsmocote' if the price is right...