Wormcastings question...

[Trichome.Kid]

This is probably a stupid/simple question but..

I put my soil mix in the cups and then the seed. I covered it with about 1/2 to 1 inch of wormcastings and then watered using a Compost Tea solution. Anyways, the castings seem to have compacted a little too much.
Do you think this will make it too hard for the seedlings to break the soil or will they be just fine? I'm not worried about burning the seedlings or anything since castings won't do that.

I apologize if this wasn't worth it's own thread.

 

[jolene]

THey will break through - but it may b a little strong for them. For an initial seed mix, 50/50 peat perlite is good, with perhaps a tiny bit of high phospate guano for good rooting. The lack of nutrients will persuade them to make good roots as they go looking for food.

 

[Trichome.Kid]

Thanks jolene.

No perlite, so I just used ground soil (old compost actually) with a bit of peat/castings mixed in. I'm actually kind of worried since I didn't really add anything for drainage purposes. Hopefully the castings will keep root rot at bay.

 

[jolene]

Should be cool - its a weed after all, but it can be a bit tricky to re-wet it if it dries out

 

[Trichome.Kid]

Very good point. I did read it wasn't a good idea to let worm castings dry out. Maybe I'll have to put a layer of compost over top of it. I just figured it'd be a good idea for young seedlings to have only a layer of castings.. but now I'm re-thinking that idea.

Thanks again!

 

[bartender187]

drainage is key imo,,, ide add perlite or somethin to lighten the mix,,, horticulture sand works,,,, my .02,,,,,

 

[Trichome.Kid]

I agree bartender! I'm low on cash so perlite is out of the question. I actually prefer sand, it has worked pretty damn well for me in the past.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[chosen]

A huge bag of perlite is only $14. You can use sand. I use perlite for tons of stuff. Cloning, vegging, and even sometimes in hydro.

 

[jaykush]

no worries, ive seen seeds pop in the most compact soils. just make sure you keep the seed moist or you wont have any plant.

 

[vonforne]

Make sure you keep the top few inches of castings moist. If you don't it will lower the chances of a good % of seedlings making it through. The castings do get quite compacted with out any perlite.

V

 

[Verite]

Exactly.. wc I dont consider fertilizer as much as I do a soil subst and you wouldnt top dress your planter with an inch of soil because watering that in would turn it to mud. A sprout is going to struggle in mud.

 

[bongasaurus]

A huge bag of perlite is only $14. You can use sand. I use perlite for tons of stuff. Cloning, vegging, and even sometimes in hydro.

and he means HUGE