Right moment to start feeding of seedlings

[lightmove]

Hello everybody!
One week ago I started with 30 seeds. Until now I am giving them only tap water, stabilized to pH 5.5. I am using rockwool cubes. Most of the plants have two sets of true leaves. The nutrients I am using are made by General Hydroponics.
When should I start feeding the plants?
My plans are to wait few days, because nutrient solution can burn gentle roots. A friend of mine is telling me to use diluted (half strenght) solution for first two weeks and start feeding now.
So, should I start feeding the plants now, or wait few days and allow roots to develop more tiny hairs?

 

[Weedman Herb]

3 or 4 sets of true leaves is when I start to feed ...

 

[manwithnoname]

i started about 1 wk after planting

 

[libby]

i started about 1 wk after planting

Sorry if i have this wrong, you feed whilst in fresh soil ? ( assumed soil)

 

[Dee9]

I planted 2 seeds at the same time and during the seedling phase I by mistake gave the one a little bit of nutes meant for the vegging plants - the result:

the seedling I fed too soon is about one fifth the size of the seedling I started feeding when the false leaves started dying off.

conclusion: if one starts feeding too soon, things really slow down... I mean, I can see the one sexing already while the other is only about 3 inches high! with no real leaves to mentioin...

- so I would say: rather later than sooner!

hope this helps.

 

[manwithnoname]

Sorry if i have this wrong, you feed whilst in fresh soil ? ( assumed soil)

readygro

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

I use GH Flora in soil but got a tip from an experienced dwc grower. Start with about 200ppm two weeks in (this is probably close to a fifth strength of the directions.) If you want to wait till week 3, you could probably give them quarter strength. Some folks wait until the seed leaves show signs of yellowing. I've had green seed leaves 3 and 4 weeks in veg and am reluctant to wait this long without feeding them low strength nutes.

 

[lightmove]

Thank you all for the answers!
This is my first hydroponic grow and I don't want to make mistakes. Now I am sure when to start feeding.
I'm just wondering, if roots are inspected carefully, may be they can tell the right moment? In hydroponic system roots can be checked easy.

 

[lightmove]

3 or 4 sets of true leaves is when I start to feed ...

Do you start with diluted solution?

 

[lightmove]

Dee9, this is a very good comparison. I was afraid that plants aren't receiving enough nutrition. My concerns were in vain.

 

[lightmove]

When start feeding, I will use diluted solution. Not sure for how long.