How long to leave seedlings in rapid rooter tray?

[Anathema2121]

This is my first time using a rapid rooter starting tray for starting seeds. I was wondering how long after the seedlings sprout should I let them grow in the tray before transplanting them? And what sized pot should they go into at this time ideally? We don't have the fucking lid for the rapid rooter tray so we have to water it a lot and have lost a couple seedlings, but for the most part they're looking good. I'll post pics soon.

Anathema2121 Reviewed by Anathema2121 on 09-08-2006. How long to leave seedlings in rapid rooter tray? This is my first time using a rapid rooter starting tray for starting seeds. I was wondering how long after the seedlings sprout should I let them grow in the tray before transplanting them? And what sized pot should they go into at this time ideally? We don't have the fucking lid for the rapid rooter tray so we have to water it a lot and have lost a couple seedlings, but for the most part they're looking good. I'll post pics soon. Rating: 5

[Anathema2121]

Bump. No one knows how long they usually leave plants in the tray before transplanting?

[stinkyattic]

I've never used a rapid rooter but in general I like my seedlings to get a bit pot-bound before transplanting so the root ball slides right out of the nursery 6-packs without breaking apart.
The 6-packs I'm using are of about a 60mL capacity, and the seedlings get 3-4 sets of adult leaves before wanting out.
At that time I also start them on nutes, beginning with a weak transplant-shock reducing formula that contains thiamine.
So the quick answer is, it isn;t a matter of time, it's a matter of root development.

[Anathema2121]

Thank's SA. I was wondering if I should wait til they about grow huge roots or just til they had the roots poking out (the poked out of the bottom in like 3 days ?) So somewhere around 1 to 2 weeks or basically just the whole seedling stage? Or should I transplant asap?

[jamstigator]

I transplant from rooters to a 1/2 gallon pot as soon as I see roots coming out of the rapid rooter plugs. They then stay in that half gallon pot until I know which are females, then I transplant the females to their final pot, usually a 4-gallon square pot.

So, if you see roots coming out of your plugs, get 'em into a pot of some kind. Those plugs aren't designed for them to be used for weeks, just long enough to get a small root system going.

[Anathema2121]

Thanks jam. I knew they weren't designed for weeks really, just like I didn't know if you were supposed to let them get a fat root ball or or just a few poking out. I guess it doesn't matter, cause really you could transplant them at any time huh?

[Zandor]

Sticky is correct this plant when grown from seed is considered a seedling until there are 4 true sets of leafs showing. The sex of the plans has not been determined at this point so control the environment closley and you can increas the chance of having females over males.

The topic is show #6 of the Grow Report btw.