After I geminate my seeds is there really any huge benefit to planting them into a solo cup and then transplanting them into a larger pot a few weeks down the road? Thanks!
It's very easy to overwater seedlings planted in pots that are "too large". I germinate in solo cups, transplant into 1 gallons until they presex, and then into 7 gallon pots which they will finish in. Unless you really have your watering technique down and are able to recognize the sings of overwatering, I'd definitely suggest starting out in a solo cup. Using a clear one set in a normal one will allow you to check on root development and transplant at the appropriate time without it getting root bound. Don't forget to make plenty of drain holes in BOTH cups.
New research suggests that plants grow up to 40% bigger if planted directly in larger containers. Want bigger plants? Get to the root of the matter.
This article only addresses the subject of larger pot sizes create bigger plants, not planting seedlings directly into large pots. "On average, doubling pot size allowed plants to grow 43% larger." PW
yes growth rates, proper water use and air to the roots come into play. A sure fire way to stunt a tiny seedling is to put it in a huge pot, over water and under weak lighting in a hot tent. I do almost the same exact thing.
Why not just not over water? Every body has their own way of course - I simply prefer to transplant less times. I honestly don't think it matters much one way or another tho if your plants are healthy. OP, why don't you try one each way and report back? J
If you've spent much time in the "sick plants and problems" forum, you'd know that overwatering, even in solo cups, is a major problem that many new growers experience on a regular basis... Then they get real shitty advice like, "your pH must be off" or "it needs to be fed". My personal favorite is "you need to flush", which only serves to compound the problem as the plants are already overwatered. And it's not just seedlings...
It sounds like most folks just need a properly draining medium so that they CANT overwater - no matter how much water passes through the soil medium. I think the very last place I'd want to hang is the Sick Plants forum Wak - mostly because besides the common sense answers I just don't like trying to diagnose unhealthy plants; especially with the bottle growers. Now that's enough to drive you mad - especially half of the moronic responses like you just noted. "Dude, you need more Cal-Mag man..." Entertaining, yes... Lol J
Cal-Mag is the Tourette Syndrome response by cannabis growers as practiced by the chemi-kids... Much like Gomer Pyle running after Barney Fife screaming "Citizen's arrest! Citizen's arrest!"
I plant and dont transplant unless the health of the plant demands it. Especially if you are working with auto flower, no sense in up rooting a time specific plant imo, photo period if needed.
I'm going to take Jerry's advise and try both. I think my soil is pretty dialed in so I don't think drainage will be an issue but I will be sure to report back. Thanks again guys for all the answers!
For me it's about space. Starting them in cups lets me do quite a few at a time, but my flowering space is small, so I have to winnow them down. Right now I have 11 seeds planted in Solo-SIP's. (With the possibility of at least 12 plants. Long story.) When these get to the point of needing transplant I'll move them to 2 gal pots until I can determine sex. The best 3 or 4 females will go into the bloom-bloom-room in 5 gal smart pot SIP's.
I start seeds in solo cups, sex them out then TP into 1 gallon pots to mature a bit before hitting the 20's. I've done it both ways with clones, upgrading from smaller pots as well as direct transplants...I love the simplicity and stress free nature of direct TP's but it's a spacing issue for me. I haven't noticed huge differences between either method, other than to conserve space over reducing labor or vice versa.
You can sex them in solo cups? I wouldn't think they'd be mature enough to show pre flowers before they needed to be transplanted. I'm a super noob though, so I'm just brainstorming over here. Sent from my iPhone using Grasscity Forum
I have a decent sized metal container that I use for germination and sexing. I germinate them under 12/12 lighting and keep it that way until they show sex, which is usually a few weeks after sprouting ime. Speeds up the time necessary to sex out the seedlings, as I can run them apart from the veg and flower room. Allows me to collect pollen as well, should I find a nice male to breed with. This is from a week ago, maybe a week or so after they were pulled out of the seed box.
Man, I really like the sound of this! How long have you been sprouting/sexing like this? Are you saying that the sexed seedlings revert to vegetative growth in about a week, or two? On what lighting schedule? Or is that natural light?
Yeah, it helps quite a bit. I decided to make one after I had left a male in the flower room a bit too long and it ended up pollinating everything in the room. I've been using it since may, with medicine man from mr.nice and jerry's gift being the only ones I've started so far. Hasn't been in use for about a month though I do have more seeds to start. About two weeks though they continue growth without much "lag" the pistils take a minute to recede and revert completely, using 18/6 for my lighting schedule.
Thanks, G'! This will make a big difference in my grow method. I know how many ladies can fit into my flowering room. I know how many unsexed plants can fit in veg'. NOW I can plant way more seeds without having to worry about how many males are going to take up valuable space, time, and soil in my veg' area waiting to see "what's what". This will maximize the amount of ladies that I'm able to fit into the available floor space of my flowering room. I'll give it a go next round...
Seriously?!?!?! Why is this the first I've heard of this? No joke. Hell, I'm going downstairs now to put mine on a timer.