You may find the link I left below interesting. If you're firmly entrenched in an all-organic approach, it might not mesh with your ideology, but if you're 'results oriented', hopefully you'll find it enlightening. I'll leave you to decide.

Al

Here is a link that might be useful: More about fertilizing containers

Well that is quite an informative essay, and I think my IQ just went up 2 points after reading it :-) I will definitely follow up on your recommendations.

When is the right time to fertilize after planting your seeds? Should fertilizers be added immediately?

What is your judgment on worm casting tea? Does it contain the appropriate ratios you discuss? I have the ability to make worm tea at any time. I also put the worm castings into the top of my soil and let that seep in (for some reason my worm castings are 'muddy' in texture and not granular like they are when I buy them commercially.)

Thanks for your time and dedication to this eager gardening student!

There is no benefit to be had by adding fertilizer to your seedlings' soil until the first true leaves appear. Until that time, the plant will take it's nutrition from reserves in the seed's endosperm.

Worm casting tea is actually very low in nutrients. It's primary value lies in it's ability to help increase microbial populations in mineral soils (not necessarily a good thing in container media), in the fact that it does contain some micro-nutrients, and that it is purported to decrease the incidence of some diseases when used as a foliar spray.

I don't use worm castings on/in soils because I'm very conscious about soil structure, with aeration and drainage being primary considerations. I tend to shy away from using fine particulates like peat, compost, coir, fine sand, worm castings and others, because of their negative influence on drainage and aeration. I don't consider increasing the number of micro-organisms in container media to be of much benefit, particularly when weighed against the fact that they accelerate media (structural) collapse, and there are a number of organic and inorganic products that supply micro-nutrients in a known and favorable ratio to each other that I would choose because they have no impact on soil structure (drainage/aeration).

Al

I just came across an extremely interesting web site about growing mushrooms and fungi as beneficial form of fertilizer- have you heard of this? link below

Here is a link that might be useful: Myco Grow mushroom fungi for inhibiting plant growth and production