Best way to germinate seeds with hydro system (hydroton specifically)

[guambomb813]

Another post for the newbie here!

Well i'm in the process of getting the seeds I want, but do not know the best method to germinate the seeds to sprout proper root
and then
proper way to transplant them into the growing media

Can we also share any tips tricks to keep them alive in new hydroton media while they grow strong healthy roots!!!

 

[FreezerBoy]

What kind of hydro? I start in Rockwool. Transplant at first sign of sprouts. Submerge netpots until roots are long enough to bridge an airgap

 

[Mathematics]

yup 1" rockwool blocks, once the roots are through those they're more than healthy enough to branch out into the hydroton.

 

[MileHighGuy]

I hate rockwool... But I'm a newb...

I'm going with peat pellets tommorow morning.

I've heard great things about rapid rooters too.

 

[guambomb813]

Sorry, What do you mean submerge netpots until roots are long enough to bridge an airgap?!?!?

Thanks again for quick responses guys!!

 

[socialist]

He means have them submerged in your nutrient solution, when the roots grow longer you can drop the height of the solution, thus creating an "air gap".

 

[BurmeseDragon]

Get polymer plugs, put your beans in those; they come moist. Keep them in the dark, when they sprout you can put a clear plastic cup with some holes in it over them. Get cups large enough to cover you hydro rocks, drill holes in the top. Drill towards the sides of the tops, put more at the top than at the bottom. Little plants don't breathe much, it is mostly for heat exchange. Spray these cups with a fine mist, remove these cups when the plants can stand on their own without any risk whatsoever of them wilting.

Rock wool sucks! Polymer plugs rock, no other way about it!

 

[FreezerBoy]

Sorry, What do you mean submerge netpots until roots are long enough to bridge an airgap?!?!?

Thanks again for quick responses guys!!

Socialist nailed it. I'm doing DWC where the the key is massive oxygen to the roots. In the beginning, all the roots are submerged. As they get long enough, water level is dropped to 1 inch below the pot (I don't recommend it but, I've let the gap grow as deep as 6") You'll note that the water level is lower in every picture from left to right.



Anyway, thats DWC. If you're doing something else, the rules are different. What'cha doin'?

 

[HydroFarmer]

I think I have tried many of the methods here for popping beans, but I am a HUGE fan of the Rapid Rooters. Extremely easy to use and almost 95% success rate with healthy beans...also great for cloning ...just an FYI..

 

[socialist]

I think I have tried many of the methods here for popping beans, but I am a HUGE fan of the Rapid Rooters. Extremely easy to use and almost 95% success rate with healthy beans...also great for cloning ...just an FYI..

Couldn't agree more!

 

[Classyathome]

Socialist nailed it. I'm doing DWC where the the key is massive oxygen to the roots. In the beginning, all the roots are submerged. As they get long enough, water level is dropped to 1 inch below the pot (I don't recommend it but, I've let the gap grow as deep as 6") You'll note that the water level is lower in every picture from left to right.



Anyway, thats DWC. If you're doing something else, the rules are different. What'cha doin'?

And I think both you guys have it nailed. I use peat pellets, but everything after that is mirror image.

My experiences haven't been so good germing in rockwool, but I only use rockwool for cloning.

Minor differences, but basics apply.

Great posts all of ya - I wish there was this much info and input when I first started.

 

[collegecrop]

you can also just put them in a damp paper towel in a dark and warm place and check twice a day on them making sure it is just "damp" not wet. they should sprout around the 48 hour mark, could be a little sooner or later though so no worries. After they show their white little root you can carefully place them in a cube or pellets. never had any problems.

 

[socbutter]

Growing in a similar Cabinet

Growing in a similar Cabinet

Socialist nailed it. I'm doing DWC where the the key is massive oxygen to the roots. In the beginning, all the roots are submerged. As they get long enough, water level is dropped to 1 inch below the pot (I don't recommend it but, I've let the gap grow as deep as 6") You'll note that the water level is lower in every picture from left to right.



Anyway, thats DWC. If you're doing something else, the rules are different. What'cha doin'?

I've just put my LR#2 in hydroton with distilled water in the reservoir using a GH WaterFarm. You mentioned nutrient solution above. I am planning to use Flora Nova Bloom only(Lucas formula 8ml/gal), but am concern about the nutrient level to start the initial 2 weeks and whether to flush (with distilled water only) or not to flush the last week. Any suggestions??


BTW Great root system and grow reservoir!!!

 

[Classyathome]

First week use about 1/4 to 1/3 strength nutes, build up to full strength over a few weeks.

Flush last week or two - plain water / distilled water is fine...

Good luck...

 

[socbutter]

Another post for the newbie here!

Well i'm in the process of getting the seeds I want, but do not know the best method to germinate the seeds to sprout proper root
and then
proper way to transplant them into the growing media

Can we also share any tips tricks to keep them alive in new hydroton media while they grow strong healthy roots!!!

I am a first time grower and I only germinated one (1) LOWRYDER #2, LOL.

1. To germinate I put the seed in a cup of distilled water for half an hour and soaked ROCKWOOL in distilled water also.
2. Gently squeeze ROCKWOOL, then insert seed one quater inch into the ROCKWOOL.
3. The ROCKWOOL was then put inside a plastic 16 ounce container with lid on.
4. Put container in a warm dark place. I put container in grow cab.
5. Inspect container 24 hours later and make a couple of slits on the lid. Re-moisten if necessary.
6. repeat 5 ,but don't make any more slit on lid.

Once I saw true leafs sprout I put container under floro 18/6. Re-moisten as necessary.


I jumped the gun and inserted ROCKWOOL into the Waterfarm once I saw the root coming out from the bottom. So far no harm has been done. I think!?



So I was thinking, seeds are suppose to be hardy why not put them under hps!? Surely sunlight is alot more powerful light source than 150 HPS.

Here is Shakira, that's what I call her because its feminized LR#2.



A funny thing I noticed, though I am using distilled water (measured 6.0 before adding to resevoir) it was 7.5 drained from the resevoir!

Perhaps this is due to the tap water I used when cleaing the HYDROTON. Though I soaked them with distilled water before putting inside the Waterfarm.

My
literally

 

[FreezerBoy]

I jumped the gun and inserted ROCKWOOL into the Waterfarm once I saw the root coming out from the bottom.

Aw, ya big slowpoke. That's what I love about Rockwool, sprouts prove there's roots whether you see them or not. I transplant before. If I can't see a root then I can't break it. As you've learned, they're ready for the big lamp ASAP.

Hydroton is pH nuetral. It wont affect pH. Distilled water is dead water. It has nothing the plant needs and lacks vital elements that nute makers leave out on purpose because you're expected to add them with tap water. One of the results is wilder pH swings. Not having the problem, I'm struggling for terms ... pH buffers? pH stabilizers? Once your solution becomes stronger and you’ve added some Cal-Mag to replace the elements you’ve stolen from the water, it should flatten out.

 

[socbutter]

Not Sure

Not Sure

Aw, ya big slowpoke. That's what I love about Rockwool, sprouts prove there's roots whether you see them or not. I transplant before. If I can't see a root then I can't break it. As you've learned, they're ready for the big lamp ASAP.

Hydroton is pH nuetral. It wont affect pH. Distilled water is dead water. It has nothing the plant needs and lacks vital elements that nute makers leave out on purpose because you're expected to add them with tap water. One of the results is wilder pH swings. Not having the problem, I'm struggling for terms ... pH buffers? pH stabilizers? Once your solution becomes stronger and you’ve added some Cal-Mag to replace the elements you’ve stolen from the water, it should flatten out.

I am trying to use the LUCAS recipe using only Flora Nova Bloom for my LOWRYDER#2 in my Waterfarm.

Early this morning I flushed the bucket and performed the following process please let me know if my method is incorrect. I am new to growing/DWC

I've read your reply a few times, but this is what I did last night to my Waterfarm


* Added two gallons to Waterfarm
* First Gallon added 4 ml/gallon of Flora Nova Bloom
* TDS 936...... pH 4.6
* added 17 (3+7+2+1+4)drops of pH UP
* Final measured pH @ 5.5
* Second Gallon added 4 ml/gallon of Flora Nova Bloom
* TDS 464 pH 4.7
* additional 2 ml/gallon of Flora Nova Bloom
* TDS 840 pH 4.6

* added 14 (6+3+5) drops of pH UP

* Final measured pH @ 5.6


Readings taken this morning are TDS 1050 pH 6.3

LUCAS quote

The most primary concern is to achieve the TDS increase, while staying within pH range

adding nutes lowers pH, so sometimes one can avoid pH adjusting, by adding more or less nutes
adding water raises pH, so dont adjust a reservoir, until it is topped up with water and nutes

I am at a loss as to what to do. Should I flush the bucket with distilled water and start the process again????

Note to self get two gallon jugs/containers and better measuring syringe.

so dont adjust a reservoir, until it is topped up with water and nutes

oops .........fill the Waterfarm first with nutes and water then adjust pH is that what that means?????

 

[dallasboy1975]

the way i did it was take the seeds and soak them for 24 hrs and then put the seeds in some organic plugs then put the plugs in a plate and cover it. in 24 hrs those baby should burst open.

 

[socbutter]

I am sorry I did not mean to hijack this post. It seem like a natural progression to me from germination to prep the reservoir.

I'll create my own thread. sorry

 

[FreezerBoy]

Soc, Can I ask why you're not using tap water? I can add double your nutes (acids) to my water and end with a pH of 6.8.

Distilled water vs tap is the only significant difference I'm seeing between your nutes and mine (I use reg flora series.) My guess is distilled water is the source of the trouble.