I see mantis here in Minnesota on rare occasions as well. I'm not sure if there really isn't very many or if they are just so camouflage and really don't come out of the trees much? They are always the same all green ones I encounter maybe twice a year. Cool creatures though! Between working...
If it doesn't work for you then it doesn't work and you should stick with what works well for you. I have no problem disagreeing with people and it's a weed, there's more than one way to skin this cat for sure.
Not sure what you're doing wrong but happy frog is a great seed starting soil. I do run the soil through a sifter before I plant seedlings in it but I do that with all soils for all seedlings. Are you using a heat mat and dome?
This is a common practice for autos which have no room for stressing from a transplant. They can be transplanted, I've done it/do it myself but for a first grower I'd put Ocean Forest for bottom half of the pot. Next put happy frog until you are 2 inches from the top of the pot. Plant the seed...
I'd try to transplant into fresh straight happy frog soil. Don't add anything. If you make it through the grow without problems in this soil mix I'd be very impressed. Happy frog is already great soil, adding anything during seedling stage is just asking for trouble. Your going to run into...
So it's getting nicer around here and was just wondering if any of you would be willing to share any info about what mix you run and anything good or bad.
This is the joy of popping seeds, you get different phenotypes. It's totally normal, they are sisters, but not twin sisters if you know what I mean. The only ways to get the same plant over and over are clones or tissue cultures.