Potting mix aeration

[KJessi]

I was researching making seed starting mix, and came across people recommending perlite with coco coir or compost.

Then for potting on mix, some say perlite, some say horticultural grit, and some say sand.

This year, to see if i can stop drowning my indoor seedlings, and to reduce fungas gnats, I'm trying coco coir and perlite only. I'm assuming they'll be the most sterile. I've also got some hydrogen peroxide which apparently is good for aeration as well as sterilising.

I do feel like I'm over-thinking it. I've done ok with just multipurpose compost for everything before. No additions. But I did get losses from damp, gnats etc. Just trying to see if I can do better.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on it all.

[Peanut]

I find a good covering of vermiculite on top of the compost/seed trays helps deter fungus gnats, that and sticky yellow traps hung next to my seed trays. (I only use the sticky paper during winter and spring and only ever indoors).

[KJessi]

Thanks, peanut, will try both x

[Jungle Jane]

I used to have fungus gnats years ago but watering from below stops it,sit the pots/cell trays in water & let them drink what they need,then the tops of the compost stays dry. The gnats like the wet compost at the top of the compost to lay eggs. They don’t get the chance this way