[eurogro]

When is it a good time to move a plant to a hydro system?

Should I just plant the seed directly in my hydro medium? Do I first need to wait until I have a bit of a root system?

The last time I tried, I let the plant sprout in soil, then moved the sprout when it had its first 2 small leaves to the hydro system, but the plant died within a few days. It did not have much of a root system at that point, so I am thinking maybe that was my problem. What little root there was, was sitting completely in my medium and not even close to hanging out of the pot yet.

Do the roots have to be hanging out of my pot for this to work, or can the roots be sitting completely in the medium for awhile before they grow out of the bottom of the pot?

[Hooked-On-Grown]

eurogro..... hows it going....
You are best to start in hydro if that is what you want to do. Going from soil to hydro can be stressful and is better once they have established roots. I would recommend going hydro from start rather then tring to swith from soil.
I put my seeds in a hydro system right after they sprout. I use the Ebb & Flow method. Not a big fan of the bubbler.
They will take a week or two to show roots through net pots. People keep there water level about 1/4 - 1/2 inch above net pots until roots start growing down to water. Once roots are down, then drop your level to just below the net pots.

Sorry not a big fan on bubblers.....hopefully someone with a little more knoweledge will step in with there 2 cents!!

What hydro method are you using? It sounds like a DWC setup.

I sprout my seeds in a plastic cup of soil and usually leave the seedling in the cup for a couple of weeks or until there is a good solid root system present. Usaully about 6-8" tall plant. I take the seedling out of the cup, rinse the roots off, and put into my hydro media.

There are some that sprout right in the hyrdo media but I have not tried it yet.

The small seedlings are very delicate and can not handle the move until they are more established.

Tex

[eurogro]

Thanks for the replys.
Yes, I am using a DWC setup.

[Hugh Jorgan]

From what I've read, the easiest way is to germ the seeds in a wet paper towel then place the sprout in a starter media such as a rockwool cube or a rapid rooter plug. Once the plant has established itself, drop the whole mess into your hydro media. Set the water level below the level of your starter media so it does not remain saturated. Top water as necessary for the first few days until the roots find water and you're done

I haven't tried this technique yet but it's the easiest possible way to start seeds in hydro systems that I have found. Hope it works for you, I'll be trying it myself very soon

Hugh

[mrwags]

I must say I've gone from seed to clone's for now. I found the easiest was using rapid rooters from worm way. I have had twice the learning curve with the clones compared to seed but could be from the summer heat. If you clone in rapid rooter simply poke a small hole for the stem to barely show through and aero. The roots will grow on through and around the rooters to be placed in pots and grown. If you use 2" aero holes you don't even need to use a 2" net pot to hold it in place because the rooters have a lip built in to hold in place. If I can do I know for a fact you guys can.




Have A Nice Day

Mr.Wags

[Huck Fin]

Try using an aeroclonner... they work great and are desinged for small plants. I know it's designed for clones... but, you can use them for seedlings too. Here's how, after your seeds have germinated, let them keep growing in the paper towl (damp) until the root is about 2-3 inches long, they should be showing signs of leaves by now too. Once you have at least two leaves you can take a straw (sliced down one side for opening) and put in your aeroclonner... no medium needed at all. If you need more explanation just ask.