So I just planted my germ seeds in solo cups with 4-5 holes in the bottom and 4 small knife slits on the side. Poured some water over them until I saw water coming through the holes but I feel like the soil isn't damp/compacted enough. Some soil feels as damp as I pulled it out of the FFOF bag. Did I not water them enough? Never ever grew ANYTHING let alone cannabis. When I packed the solo cups i LIGHTLY touched the tops to pack compress some soil but enough for it to breath. edit. also when do i water them at earlier stages? beg - week2 I heard after week 2 water them with plant food/next day water/3rd day nothing/4th day food correct? using ff grow big/tigerbloom
Watering is easy and works for a cup to. Pick it up its heavy its fine, pick it up its light water. Let it dry out between waterings once you place them in a pot. Your soil should be fine for some time if you saturated it before you put your seeds in.
I usually water them untill there is some run off (i make sure it's not just water finding a way -crack- in the soil and just seeps thorugh). Also if you water if thoroughly and leave parts unwatered, they will get moist by Capillary action. Capillary action - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia read this for proof.
rr is spot on. Why do you think the soil isn't damp enough? Remember that roots can "pull" moisture from semi-damp soil but they will rot and die in soaking wet soil. A good comparison is that you want your soil that you put your seeds in to be about as damp as a well-wrung out sponge. It will take them a while to use all that water in the soil, don't get impatient and give them water before they need it, that's the best way to kill a seedling/plant (along with giving them fertilizers too early). If you are starting with wet soil they *might* need water in 5-6 days but most likely they won't need water for a solid week, if not more. Go by the weight of the pot/cup (you can fill up an empty cup with dry-ish soil so that you can compare it to your seedling cup if you need to). Also, when it does come time to water, a good way to do it is to get a plastic container (tupperware or whatever), put your seedling cup in the container, and then add water to the container to a depth of about 1/4-1/2 inch (this is called bottom-watering). The cup will wick the water up, and this way the top of the soil stays dry, thus helping to prevent fungal problems that often occur with seedlings when the top layer of soil is too wet. I would not start fertilizing at 2 weeks, I'd wait until week 3. Also, when you do start fertilizing, don't follow a schedule that is based on watering your plants whether they need it or not (like the schedule you referenced). Your plants will definitely be overwatered this way. Water/fert them based on when they need water. You can vary the ferts in the same way (watering 1: fert, watering 2: plain water, watering 3: fert, watering 4: plain water, etc.), but do it based on when they need water, not based on watering every x days (let your plants dictate the schedule, not the other way around). HTH, best of luck with your grow.
thanks! very helpful. Also about how long should it take a tap rooted seed to sprout through the soil? its about 1/2 inch down in the soil.
It will probably take a couple days to emerge. Next time don't plant so deep, go for more like 1/4". But it will come out to play, just be patient with it.