best method for germ. growing hydro?

[smookless]

I am a newbie, I posted in "basic growing" about using rapid rooter plugs, thinking this would be the best way for getting started then go to the rockwool. After searching, is this the best way? I have read about the paper towl method, this is prefered with %100 germination , but everyone that posts is growing in soil. Help please.

smookless Reviewed by smookless on 09-28-2006. best method for germ. growing hydro? I am a newbie, I posted in "basic growing" about using rapid rooter plugs, thinking this would be the best way for getting started then go to the rockwool. After searching, is this the best way? I have read about the paper towl method, this is prefered with %100 germination , but everyone that posts is growing in soil. Help please. Rating: 5

[turtle420]

Confusing words you use.

There's no 100%.
There's no "best".

Paper towel method is good....
You place them.... some hours (24-48 for me) later, you've got a small taproot.

Place in your desired medium... and GO!

[smookless]

Confusing words you use.

There's no 100%.
There's no "best".

Paper towel method is good....
You place them.... some hours (24-48 for me) later, you've got a small taproot.

Place in your desired medium... and GO!

Just quoting what I read I will go with what I know:thumbsup:

[Weedhound]

I use them as starters for my hydro set up and I really like them--I have found that the less things I touch the better for my seeds. With these I just stuff the whole thing in the medium once it sprouts so no chance of my squishing or ruining any seedlings (I'm very clumsy)

[mistyganjatree]

i always crack my seeds first in water!
simply put the seeds in a glass of water PH 6,0 and put it somewhere warm
within 24 hrs youll start to see the tap root pop out! then set the seed knowing it has already germinated! no guess work!,,,,alsso means you can orientate the seed in the right way, tap root down seed cap top, 2 cms or so beneath whatever medium you like, i ues peat tabs, jiffy pellets for seedlings, and then either into a specially prepared block of rock wool [ with a circular hole to acomadate the tab!], or directly into the arlita
.
take care when setting in arlita!, the stems are extreamly fragile and just having the balls of arlita [grow rocks] against them can destroy the stem and kill the plant!,
if you got to rockwool the plant can grow on quite a bit before being planted into the system! when the stems are nice and robust!
hope that helps!
cya


welcome to the world of endless possibilities,,,,,hydroponics!

[smookless]

Thanks for the replys, I went ahead and left 5 seeds in the plugs and I did 5 the paper towel way, 2 popped in the paper towel none in the plugs. will give it a couple of days.
When I transfer the seeds to the plugs, how much water is needed on the bottom of the tray? how wet should I keep the plugs, damp or wet for growing?

[turtle420]

Thanks for the replys, I went ahead and left 5 seeds in the plugs and I did 5 the paper towel way, 2 popped in the paper towel none in the plugs. will give it a couple of days.
When I transfer the seeds to the plugs, how much water is needed on the bottom of the tray? how wet should I keep the plugs, damp or wet for growing?

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
You're a dad!!!
Hopefully, of some beautiful baby girls...

In order to sprout the seeds that haven't popped yet::::::
Do you have something 'warm' where you can place the plugs?
Ideal 'warm' places usually include things like:
On top of the TV's heat grill (where the heat escapes back/top)
Top of WiFi routers
Cable TV boxes
etc.


Now, how wet should the plugs be kept.....
Try for damp.
I'm unsure of what plugs you're using, plus I've never grown with plugs.
Wait for advice from people more experienced.

Congrats!

[Weedhound]

It's the part of moving those teeny little things (taproot down) around that always gets me--much to their detriment. With the rooter plugs they usually take me about 3-5 days to sprout but they will sprout quicker with heat like Turtle says (I have had them sprout out of the plugs in 48 hrs with low heat) . Do go for damp, not wet--don't let the plug sit in water. If you use heat check them more often for drying out--moist always!. I have used these plugs for about 30-40 seeds to date and the only one that did not sprout was one that accidently fell out of the little hole and I didn't notice (did I mention that I am clumsy??)

[smookless]

Update: all of the seeds cracked today, Iam on my way. thanks for the advice.