I was wondering on how best to germinate a seed with little or no transplant shock. I created an easy to make super soil 50/25/25 moss/perlite/ewc and humus. Added azomite, lime, epsoma tomato tone, kelp meal and a little fish meal and alfalfa, it is now cooking and will continue to cook for the next month. I was thinking about using epsoma seedling starter for germination. I hear you dont want to germ in super soil or it will burn. What if I were to remove a cup of super soil from center of the pot to put a cup of seedling starter in its place. As the seedling takes root eventually the roots will branch out into the super soil in time for veg. Is this a viable idea or should I just stick to germinating in a separate pot and transplant later? If so then how best to transplant? Thx!!
A super easy trick for a new grower is a 3 inch peat pot makes a great starter pot, put that inside a solo cup to keep it from drying out so fast. No problems transplanting whatsoever. Here are pictures. View attachment 1375055 View attachment 1375056 View attachment 1375057
I personally let my seeds sit in water for up to 30hrs, after I see a decent taproot I sow them in the soil - they'll root problem free. Start with a starter mix for your soil in a solo cup, then transplant the seedling into your super soil once it's outgrown its cup 135w UFO LED Micro Grow: http://forum.grasscity.com/index.php?/topic/1308910-135W-Led--Organic-1St-Grow
If the seeds are fresh, I soak them for maybe 8 hours and plant directly into my organic soil mix. I use a mini SIP with transparent solo cups inside opaque ones so I can check the roots. The inner cups have an inch and a half or so of perlite in the bottom to hold some water. They have a weep hole punched through both cups about an inch up from the bottom. After about three weeks I let them get a little dry so the soil will hold together better and transplant into 2 gal smart pots for early vegging. When taking the plant out of the solo cups most of the perlite falls away exposing roots which I sprinkle mycos on. Gently set that into a hollowed out space in the soil of the smart pot and fill in with dirt. Topdress with EWC and mulch. I just did that to one today and I doubt it will even blink. I'll try to remember to get a photo of it tomorrow. This is what she looked like Friday. And this isn't that plant, but here's an example of a transplant plug.
thx a lot for the ideas. i'll try both the peat pot and the plug idea. its amazing how much bigger those roots are in comparison to the seedling. MJ has a really big root base. Had no idea, thx for the pics theyre great.
i always just direct sow my seeds right into whatever soil i'm running for the grow and have yet to "burn" one.. as far as "transplant shock" there's no such thing if you transplant in a timely fashion. Your plants should take right off in a new pot with 0 downtime. the only cases of "transplant shock" i see is when folks let their plants get too big and rootbound.. transplant when they are ready for it, and you won't have issues.
Fox Far Light Warrior Seed Starter with humic acid is the best I have found. I tried alot. You don't want to add nothing that will produce any kind of "heat". Like from the fish or anything else that will produce Nitrogen Potassium and phosphorus or any micro nute as well. It will burn those roots green and bye bye Sally the seed. I would stick with something like FF Light Warrior Seed Starter with humic acid or the comparable. I've burnt my share and many others share of seeds. I use it for the first almost month then do on transplant into the final pots. I use and recommend smart pots. Very hard to over water and the roots get air. They have generic ones that I get. Save about 400%. Lol Well happy plantings @[member="DeezNutes"]!
You don't want to add any of that fresh to your soil for seedlings, no. However, a cycled soil that has all those things in it will be perfectly fine. Sent from somewhere over there. No, not there...over THERE.
Also, here's the Jack Herer I transplanted last night. Snug and happy in her new pot and location. I have four Thai Stick I need to do the same to. Sent from somewhere over there. No, not there...over THERE.
Aaaaah. So that's what rice hulls look like... Do you have any idea how or why they are used in the beer brewing process? Just curious...
I like them because they can be turned into the soil and act as aeration that also degrades into nutrients. Had to Google how they are used in brewing: Sent from somewhere over there. No, not there...over THERE.