Nutrients for seedlings needed? Also fertilizer rec for mother plants and clones (rockwool)

Sam&Max

Active Member
Before get started I need to know some last things.

My first grow I will start from seedlings (lack of mother plants/clones).

I will do rockwool. (first in heated humidity dome then transfer into ebb and flow tables)

I need to know if I should water the seedling rockwool cubes with some fertilizer? I read contradicting stuff so far. Some say to do it and some not. What can you recommend? (I am using rockwool from cultilene, which doesn't need to be PH adjusted).

Also I wanted to know if you can give me some product recommendations for clones which I will do later (fertilizer needed? also recommendation for rooting product?).

Same thing for veg phase. I am not sure yet, how long I need to do veg phase with seedlings. But do you know a good fertilizer for veg phase and a good fertilizer for mother plants. Is veg phase and mother plant fertilizer the same?

Thanks guys ;-)
 

HydroRed

Well-Known Member
Before get started I need to know some last things.

My first grow I will start from seedlings (lack of mother plants/clones).

I will do rockwool. (first in heated humidity dome then transfer into ebb and flow tables)

I need to know if I should water the seedling rockwool cubes with some fertilizer? I read contradicting stuff so far. Some say to do it and some not. What can you recommend? (I am using rockwool from cultilene, which doesn't need to be PH adjusted).

Also I wanted to know if you can give me some product recommendations for clones which I will do later (fertilizer needed? also recommendation for rooting product?).

Same thing for veg phase. I am not sure yet, how long I need to do veg phase with seedlings. But do you know a good fertilizer for veg phase and a good fertilizer for mother plants. Is veg phase and mother plant fertilizer the same?

Thanks guys ;-)
Different stages of a plants life require the same basic core nutrients, just at different levels and ratios.

For seedlings:
I personally wont add anything but water to a seedling. There is everything packed in that seed that it needs to start and thrive except for water. Mother nature knows best. Unless you are using RO water or something that is devoid of all nutrients and minerals I see no need to add anything at this stage.
No need to add ferts until the plant is readily taking up nutrients, and foliage/alternating nodes are well established. (I consider well established around 3+ nodes from seedling and/or putting off more than 3 blade leaf)
Once I hit this point, I will usually start feed at 1/4 what the nutrient manufacturer suggests.
After this, its on the grower to read the plant and feed accordingly. If you have burnt tips/clawing/dark leaves -dial back on nutes, yellowing at the lower oldest leaves, maybe bump up the feed etc.
"Less is more" has always worked well for me. When it comes to plants, its easier to add then take away.

For cuttings:
I personally dont use anything but maybe some Clonex if Im rooting them in rooter plugs. If I am rooting in a bubble cloner I will use just plain pH water. You want to keep the feed low if you do feed. You're looking for root production, not plant growth right now. If you do feed you can use kelp extracts, or feed that is higher ratio in P/K.

Mommas/Veg:
I feed my mommas the same as I do any well established vegging plants with the same nutes. I want to encourage growth with the momma since Im relying on an abundance of tops/side branching for my clones. I can trim away what I dont want when it gets too big for the area or replant another clone from the momma and make a new momma to regain space. The majority of growing is personal technique which is why you will see so many varying methods to approach the same thing. This is just my approach and I hope its helpful to you.
 

HydroRed

Well-Known Member
RO water contains no minerals unlike tap water -municipal, well water etc. If you arent adding it to your water then the plant has nowhere else to get it.
 

Sam&Max

Active Member
so the question is, is light fertilizer solution or tap water better for the seedlings?
I need to investigate that... :-D But probably I will just use some tap water.
 
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