Thank you.

OK, here's something I've always wondered about using hydrogen peroxide for cleaning seedling trays, pots, etc. If the H202 degrades into water upon exposure to light sooner rather than later, how diligent do I need to be about soaking them for a long time in clear water to be sure all bleach is removed? The same goes for my birdbath.

Wow, I never knew you were supposed to do all that. When I clean trays and things I just wash them in hot soapy water with a little bleach added, rinse with tap water and that's it. Are you really supposed to soak them? You soak in plain water to remove bleach?

Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Karen

Karen, that's what I wonder. I have several seedling trays that I reuse every year, and soak in bleach-water. I keep thinking that bleach "residue" would be dangerous for my seedlings if it hangs around. But it sounds like from what you say that the H202 degrades fairly quickly so I can relax.

I

I don't know about bleach. I use it and just rinse in tap water. My "process" is just like washing dishes but a little bleach in the wash water. I don't do any special rinse.

Karen

i am MG guy. i use just a pinch of the granules in a gallon of water and then fill a spray bottle with it to gently spray my seedlings. i use the sprayer every 3 weeks. when they are big enough to repot into 4 inch pots i bottom feed them using 1 tbls of granules to a gallon of water and bottom feed from then on. i laso use the fertilzer every three weeks. inbetween i use regular warm water.

What's wrong with Miracle Grow fertilizer you mix yourself (diluted) for seedlings?

I'm a bad Mom, and I rarely feed my seedlings. When I do, it's usually fish fert, and I bottom water.

Karen

Scotchie said:What's wrong with Miracle Grow fertilizer you mix yourself (diluted) for seedlings?

I think it is a matter of preference. I like to use kelp and fish to start. I prefer to use organic products and support those companies as well.

Me too. I just prefer organic type stuff, especially for things we're actually going to eat. Putting things on food which might have originated from petrochemicals is a turnoff for me.

Another issue could be chemically burning seedlings. I never measure anything- I just add a little fish fert to water and apply. Products like MG are much stronger (npk like 15-30-15) as opposed to fish fert (npk 5-1-1), so you do have to be careful to keep it dilute to avoid burning.

I do occasionally use MG for my summer containers, I just don't use it on my garden soil. I try to keep that pretty organic.

Karen

compost tea is great

Allison, are you talking about making tea from your own homemade compost, or those commercial Merrill's compost tea bags?

Karen

I've read making a tea with horse manure was a great fertilizer. Instead of Miracle Grow I think I will try that. I have PLENTY of horse manure. I use the HM around my daylilies & they love it. A+ on supporting those companies & being organic.

I do both Karen... when they are inside I have a different brand that is not for sale any more... of the little bags... and when the weather warms up I make my own ... making tea out of horse poop would be better I guess... cuts down on the heat I bet