Hi Patty,
I thought I'd let you know you aren't the only women on this forum I have also tried growing key limes from seed and have killed hundreds of seedlings. I know I overwater them and keep repeating that awful mistake. I have another container of key limes going now and am hopeful that at least two of them make it. I've read on this forum that Key Limes are easy to grow from seeds and will fruit in 2 years. I think I've been trying for two years to get one past the seedling stage Hope you have good luck this time around.
Paula

Well, hello, Paula! My family is from Vancouver & Surrey BC, and I grew up there off and on throughout my childhood. Good to see another gal. I suppose we just tend to "overlove" our seedings, lol! Good to know I'm not the only one. Boy, Laaz' photos are awesome, how easy he makes it look. We'll see how I do!

In reality, there has never been a citrus tree killed by over watering. What the tree actually dies from is the lack of oxygen to the roots, and not the amount of water applied. The culprit is not the over watering, the culprit is a growing medium that the tree (or seedling) is planted in...due to the fact that the medium is not free draining enough. Several years ago I ran a test, and the postings can be found on this web site somewhere, where I watered a containerized citrus tree every day, and on many days the tree was watered two or three times per day for a couple months. The tree was fine at the end of the trial, in fact I think the tree loved it. With a good draining medium, the tree's root system will maintain good aeration no matter how often water is applied, giving the root system ample oxygen . The problem is not the amount of water given to the tree, or even frequency, the problem is always inadequate drainage (thus inadequate aeration) of the medium. - Millet

Good point, Millet. What medium would you suggest for seedlings, then? Something that maybe can a wee bit more water, in case I again, overlove my seedlings

All I use is Miracle-grow garden soil. I just keep them on the dry side.

Yes, Key lime from seed does fruit in two years without a problem. The two I grew, I sold last summer & they were in 3 gal containers & leaded with fruit. I have never had a problem growing seedlings out no matter what soil I have used.

I think the biggest problem is people over analyzing things. Just put them in a pot & let them do their thing.

So playing AC/DC isn't helping?

Laaz, I bought some MiracleGro Cactus Mix, hoping that would drain a little better, so we'll see how I do!

Patty, last time I tried that, it was like powder.

Well. That's absurd. Why would you create a cactus mix that ends up being a bunch of ultra fine organic matter that would compact and not drain? Good grief. I'll go get a regular bag of Miracle Gro then. Does it have a particular name, Laaz?

I only use Miracle gro garden soil, it drains very well.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1335645&cagpspn=pla

What's miracle grow made of?

I have always planted my citrus in DCM Mediterra which is supposed to be used for mediterranean plants (seriously! ). But just recently I needed some new soil and this time simply bought a bag of coco peat. I am not sure if it's OK though...

Miracle Gro Garden Soil

Manure
Peat/Forest Products/Compost
Sphagnum Peat Moss
Ammoniumnitrate,
Ammonium Phosphate
Calciumphosphate
Potassium sulphate, K2SO4

In the 14 years that I worked in the greenhouse business, there were, of course, growers that had their methods, and there formulas on how to do things. Still however, there were common standards that the great majority of growers abided by. The primary standard used as a seed germinating mix in most of the commercial greenhouses that I dealt with (Colorado, New Mexico and Southern California) was a 50:50 peat and perlite medium.

I also use Miracle Grow potting mix that Laaz pictured above, but I only use it with blends where either bark, Coconut husks, or Cedar mulch is is mixed in with it. I personally do not care much for it as a stand alone medium. However, I don't have the miracle powers that Laaz is endowed with when it comes to cultivation. Laaz can grow trees in cement. All the above said, I would only add that citrus seeds seem so easy to germinate, that most anything should work.

Lastly, I use the 50:50 peat and perlite medium, and also add 18-6-12 Osmocote (and only 18-6-12) slow release fertilizer at the rate of 90 grams per Cu. Ft., along with 0.5 gram STEM. - Millet

Thanks, Millet. I'll see how close I can get to your mix. I have a big bag of Perlite hanging around, and the Osmocote, I really, really like this Osmocote, it has been a real adjunct to my potted citrus. Have copied your info and Laaz' and hopefully I can get rid of my "seed killer" moniker, lol!! And you're right, Laaz can grow anything. Amazing.

CORRECTION: In my above post I wrote that I use the same Miracle Grow mix that Laaz has shown in his photo. I now see that the Miracle Grow product that he uses is Miracle Grow Garden Soil. I have never purchased that product, in fact I have never seen it offered for sale in Colorado. I have purchased Miracle Grow's 2-Cu.Ft. bags of POTTING MIX which is OK if blended well with large chunky material, but i really don't like using it as a stand alone mix. - Millet