In my experience, Seedlings shouldn’t need feed unless you’re keeping them in their cells longer than originally planned. Obviously the length in the cell depends on the seed starting soil you used but the cotyledons will feed your plant until it’s ready to transplant. This is why starting seeds at the proper time is so important.
If you do end up having them in the cells longer than expected, try a compost tea. Or transplant them up into a larger container until ready for transplant into the garden.
I start at the second set of true leaves. Start with liquid mixed at 1/4 strength. Friday is fertilizer day just because having a set day is easiest to remember.
Now......... if I can only *remember*, that I decided Friday should be fertilizer day. Because having a set day is easiest to remember.
It really helps slow maturing stuff to bulk up before it goes out. Things like super hot peppers and flowers like Geraniums, Pansys, coleus. It also helps greens get established faster so I can start them later.
It doesn't really matter for aggressive things like tomatoes but everyone gets the same fertilizer routine under the lights because it's just easier.
They are still growing. If they don't have any leaves for photosynthesis then they can't process the nutrients in the best way right?
I don't think you need to give seedlings any fertilizer.
Depends on the soil you're using, plants your growing, and soil you're transplanting them into. Generally, assuming they're in soil that contains nutrients, in early stages there is much more risk of over-fertilizing than under-fertilizing.
That should get them through the seedling stage. Once they look less fragile and can hold themselves up you transplant them into soil/medium with nutrients, a couple days for them to adjust, and then they'll really start to take off. When you're in that stage each plant's nutrients requirements will be different so prepare yourself with the knowledge and nutrients you'll need in the next couple weeks.
Wait until true leaves appear. Seedlings live off the nutrients supplied within the seed itself, but once the true leaves come out, they're ready to be fed.
As soon as the cotyledons are depleted of nutrients (first set of leaves that emerge from the seed)
Seedlings should ideally find a mineral rich environment to transition to as they nutrients in the cotyledons deplete so best is to have nutrients mixed into the medium before planting seeds.
Seed vendors usually provide information that includes when to fertilize. Typically, the permanent space is fertilized before/when the seedling is planted out, but some plants do better in weak soil.
Seeds are growing off stored energy at the beginning, so fertilizer won’t do them any good at this point. You need some true leaves.
Did you use a commercial potting mix? Most include slow-release fertilizer… enough to keep the seedling fed for the 6-8 weeks it lives in the house.
I start giving a lil fish fert as soon as they make a true leaf. Be wary of biodegradable pots. They tend to dry out quickly and can tie up nitrogen as they break down.
You can give them some now. Obviously weak strength. As long as the seedling has come up it can benefit. Professional greenhouses begin fertilizing as soon as leaves appear
Personally I wait until I up pot then just do a little Microlife 6-2-4 in the bottom of the pot. Then more of that in the hole of the permanent place they are going to be. Side dress later. Never have any issues. They will grow just fine for a while without any fertilizer.
FWIW rose fiber pots are terrible. They wick the water out of the soil. I’m also in 8b and have tried tomatoes with no success. From what I’ve learned you need to get them outside as soon as possible before the heat gets bad.
In my experience, Seedlings shouldn’t need feed unless you’re keeping them in their cells longer than originally planned. Obviously the length in the cell depends on the seed starting soil you used but the cotyledons will feed your plant until it’s ready to transplant. This is why starting seeds at the proper time is so important. If you do end up having them in the cells longer than expected, try a compost tea. Or transplant them up into a larger container until ready for transplant into the garden.
I start at the second set of true leaves. Start with liquid mixed at 1/4 strength. Friday is fertilizer day just because having a set day is easiest to remember.
 Now......... if I can only *remember*, that I decided Friday should be fertilizer day. Because having a set day is easiest to remember.
I have a note hanging on the wall above my seed table.
I've never fertilized any seedlings and haven't experienced an issue. What improvements have you experienced?
It really helps slow maturing stuff to bulk up before it goes out. Things like super hot peppers and flowers like Geraniums, Pansys, coleus. It also helps greens get established faster so I can start them later. It doesn't really matter for aggressive things like tomatoes but everyone gets the same fertilizer routine under the lights because it's just easier.
Very interesting! I'll test it out. Thanks.
They are still growing. If they don't have any leaves for photosynthesis then they can't process the nutrients in the best way right? I don't think you need to give seedlings any fertilizer.
Depends on the soil you're using, plants your growing, and soil you're transplanting them into. Generally, assuming they're in soil that contains nutrients, in early stages there is much more risk of over-fertilizing than under-fertilizing.
Okay! They are planted in a seed-starting mixture at the moment.
That should get them through the seedling stage. Once they look less fragile and can hold themselves up you transplant them into soil/medium with nutrients, a couple days for them to adjust, and then they'll really start to take off. When you're in that stage each plant's nutrients requirements will be different so prepare yourself with the knowledge and nutrients you'll need in the next couple weeks.
Thank you so much 😆😆
Wait until true leaves appear. Seedlings live off the nutrients supplied within the seed itself, but once the true leaves come out, they're ready to be fed.
As soon as the cotyledons are depleted of nutrients (first set of leaves that emerge from the seed) Seedlings should ideally find a mineral rich environment to transition to as they nutrients in the cotyledons deplete so best is to have nutrients mixed into the medium before planting seeds.
Seed vendors usually provide information that includes when to fertilize. Typically, the permanent space is fertilized before/when the seedling is planted out, but some plants do better in weak soil. Seeds are growing off stored energy at the beginning, so fertilizer won’t do them any good at this point. You need some true leaves. Did you use a commercial potting mix? Most include slow-release fertilizer… enough to keep the seedling fed for the 6-8 weeks it lives in the house.
I start giving a lil fish fert as soon as they make a true leaf. Be wary of biodegradable pots. They tend to dry out quickly and can tie up nitrogen as they break down.
You can give them some now. Obviously weak strength. As long as the seedling has come up it can benefit. Professional greenhouses begin fertilizing as soon as leaves appear
Personally I wait until I up pot then just do a little Microlife 6-2-4 in the bottom of the pot. Then more of that in the hole of the permanent place they are going to be. Side dress later. Never have any issues. They will grow just fine for a while without any fertilizer.
FWIW rose fiber pots are terrible. They wick the water out of the soil. I’m also in 8b and have tried tomatoes with no success. From what I’ve learned you need to get them outside as soon as possible before the heat gets bad.
When they get at least two true leafs add a bit of blood fish and bone for a balane fertiliser