Do you have to start your seeds in a small pot or cup, or can I plant my seeds directly into my big 5gal. pot?
You can start them in the 5 gal so you dont have to transplant later, however I find it easier to monitor the water intake due to wieght of the cup. Hard to tell a water difference in weight with a heavy 5 gallon pot full of soil.
It is best to start seedlings off in a small pot and progressively graduate up in size. If you start them off in a 5 gallon pot, they will probably grow slower than if you started off in a smaller pot and worked your way up. The plant needs to search around for nutes and water and this is what makes them grow. If they are in huge pots and have an over abundance of both, they will just be growing like they are stoned and just kicking back all lackadaisically because life is good with plenty of water and nutrients. Make them work a little for their money and they will grow up big and strong.