Ok so this fafard soil less mix dries out pretty quickly. Like within 4 days it's dry all the way through. So does this mean I water when it gets that dry or wait maybe a day so the seedLing roots aren't too wet......

Everyone has their own system, and many different things work, although it is important to avoid fertilizers with too much salt.
Starting when the seedlings are 4 weeks old or so, I foliar feed with a weak mix of fish hydrosolate/liquid kelp spray, which gives the NKP and also nutrients from the kelp which seems to keep them green and strong. I buy gallons for $30 but it's super concentrated and a gallon will take care of the seedlings, plus foliar feeding thousands of daylilies in the garden several times during the summer, for two years. It also comes in pints. I get it at a Maine organic farmer's supply place - really great - called Fedco seeds. Here's the link: http://www.fedcoseeds.com/ogs/...

gargoyl52 said:Ok so this fafard soil less mix dries out pretty quickly. Like within 4 days it's dry all the way through. So does this mean I water when it gets that dry or wait maybe a day so the seedLing roots aren't too wet......

They won't come to any harm waiting a day as long as they aren't in too much sun. There are fewer problems associated with under-watering than over-watering. Watering should be as and when needed, not on any kind of schedule.

I totally find that the opposite down here. You can never give them too much water, unless you have the crown burried and it rots. If you dont keep them watered and the soil wet, they are going to get very shallow roots, and they would never make it thru the summer down here in that case. I can see why you wold never want to over water if it is cold and the soil doesnt dry.

Pam, the OP is growing young seedlings indoors in Canada in winter as far as I understand, so I based my answer on that.

Well, I wanted to say...down here. Im sure things are different in cooler climates. I start my seeds in sponges and let the roots get happy in the water for about 6 weeks. I have been shocked and amazed at some of Rich Howards pictures on the LA where he lets some of his sit and mature and some actually bloom in the water. Those are some of the seedlings he has been selling...off the track ..

I agree, I would go with less, not more water inside. I tried that one year, never again, but I have the luxury of living in the south on this one ;-)

Sooby yes, those have some salts in them, But they are not salt based, as in miracle grow and most ammonium nitrate fertilizers. I have been switching over to a new line of ZERO salt fertilizers, fish and seaweed based, but until I see the result I wont recommend them.

As for seed mix- I use PRO-MIX® BX BIOFUNGICIDE™ + MYCORRHIZAE™ as my base, add 1/3 vermiculite, 1/5 perlite, and biochar. Top with play sand for gnat control.

I bottom water, I use ROOTMAKER 32 cell trays.

These are about 3-4 weeks old. These are some of the better ones, I have some 6-7 weekers that are slackers.

I control Damp off with Ban-Rot

I have about a 5-10% damp off rate with no sand and No ban rot. Have not had Damp-off on the trays I treated with ban-rot and sand.

I also temperature control the room at 66-68 degrees, and use two fans.

All my lights are HO T-5 fixtures, 2 lamp- 108 watts Using a Vegetative growth spectrum lamp.

That is correct sooby. And may I add it's very nerve racking lol.