Indoor Soil advice

[geoheav420]

Just to let you know I'm a complete newb when it comes to growing...

I have mistakenly bought pure john innes no. 2 soil instead of a mix with it added in, when it comes to planting my Germed seeds will it be too 'hot' to start growing? I plan on using 30% perlite and some bonemeal- would altering the ratio of perlite help in any way?

Also, once in the soil should I put them under a cfl to maintain a constant temperature?

Thanks guys

 

[blue]

Hi Geo

I think john innes nuber 2 is a bit strong for seedlings. It contains double the amount of nutes that john innes number 1 has (and personally i'd start seedlings in a John innes seedling starter)

If you have the option of taking the bag back and exchanging it - i'd do that rather than risk your germed bean.
Saying that, i've never actually tried to getm in JI number 2, so it's your call. I think it's risky!

If John Innes is all you have locally (and i think it's alright), get number one, mix it with 20% perlite, fill up your pot and then dig out a good fistfull (2 for small hands) from the middle and replace it with seedling starter mix to pop your germed bean in

Also, once in the soil should I put them under a cfl to maintain a constant temperature?

I stick it under the lights with a humidity dome ontop until i see the first real canna leaves (not the little round ones that come out straight away)

Ideally you want the temp to be about 80f - you can spray the inside of the dome to get some moisture in there. Make sure it's pressed down firm to the soil and you should see the around the dome drying a little and inside the dome the soil will be darker (where it's working)

You can use the top thrid of a 1.5 litre coke bottle for the dome.

Hope this helps a little
All the best
Blue ^_^

 

[namvet25]

Just wondering Blue what does the high team do?