I personally but them directly in the bucket as soon as i can. If the plants are very small, just make sure the water is actually high enough to get the roots, even if that means it is over the bottom of the net pot. But it doesn't hurt them at all.

Usually you are supposed to graduate to bigger container in dirt, it shouldn't matter in hydro as long as there is enough room for the roots.

Good luck
Bachelorpads Reviewed by Bachelorpads on . DWC Bucket Size- Seedlings After starting seedlings in Rapid Rooter, I can't transfer them to my 5 gallon buckets immediately can I? I seem to remember hearing you should start in a smaller bucket while the roots are small, then gradually move to your larger size. Would 3 gallons still be too big? Or should I just get an 8 gallon rubbermaid container with space for 4 net pots, and use this for seedlings, then transfer the net pots to the 5 gallon buckets? Thanks for the help. Rating: 5