Planting sprouted seedlings in dirt, how wet should the soil be?

newbie1122

Active Member
So after sprouting a seedling when planting the little thing into dirt, just how moist should the soil be?


Also what would cause some of the seedlings to die when planted in soil, while others thrive? The environment is the same, everything is the same, so why would some die and some live?


Thank you to all who reply.
 

Zig No Zag

Active Member
So after sprouting a seedling when planting the little thing into dirt, just how moist should the soil be?


Also what would cause some of the seedlings to die when planted in soil, while others thrive? The environment is the same, everything is the same, so would some die and some live?


Thank you to all who reply.
I'd say it's more like "good luck vs. bad luck".
 

hydrosoil78

Active Member
don't let the seedlings dry out too much. the way you plant it, the way you water it, there are lots of mistakes a beginner can kill a seedling with. If you can do it right though maybe then figure a way to do it that will work every time if it's important to you.
 

bigsteve

Well-Known Member
Getting a newly sprouted seedling safely into dirt is one of the major obstacles facing new growers.
You are correct to be concerned that your new gal gets enough but not too much water.

Remember you can water the seedling after it is in dirt. Some people would rather work in dry dirt
then water appropriately. That's what I do too. WARNING -- it is crucial that new seedlings aren't allowed to fall
over. Falling over is fatal to toothpick seedlings and must be planned for to be avoided. I use 2 toothpicks to remove the seedcap
when they first go into dirt. Stubborn seedcaps are another killer for new seeds. I poke a hole about 1/2 inch deep with my
finger and bury all but the top leaves under the dirt. Pat the soil firmly around the seedling. If there is more than 3/4 of an inch
above grade I put in a small brace made out of a paperclip. The brace surrounds the stem so it cannot fall over. Afet she is braced
I'll dribble just a bit of plain water around the stem. Maybe just enough to leave a wet mark the size of a half-dollar. But make sure
you have her braced before flooding atound the stem. Some looser soils will collapse when first flooded and you have to watch to
make sure that don't happen. A little fan action is a good idea right then as that stimulates the plant to grow a vigorous stem,
essential for holding up heavy branches.

Good luck, BigSteve. (thanx Hotrod!)
 

WattSaver

Well-Known Member
!st mistake is sprouting seed.

Take seedling size pot fill with soil, saturate soil, let the pot of wet soil reach 70 to 80 degrees, plant seeds horizontal about 1/2" deep, keep soil pots temp between 75 & 80 for the next 5 day. You have now eliminated all seedling transplant problems, and the only time this doesn't work is when the seed is a dud.
 

Hydrotech364

Well-Known Member
If you have done everything right the seedlings should be up within 4 days.I keep a spray bottle with 7.0ph H2O to mist the rooter or whatever your using.It helps seed hulls break free when they are damaging soft tissue also.I usually germinate the seeds and they are cracked, root exposed in 24 hrs, then I place it 3/8 of an in into my cube or mix.Use the spray bottle if they need more moisture.
 

Walter9999

Well-Known Member
When my seedling or cuttings are very small and need some help, I cut a 2" net pot in half and put the two halves together again on each side of the stalk and under the lowest leaves. You can also put a hole in the bottom before you cut it in two for a place for the stalk to go through and the net pot can basically be put back together. It's a nice clean look and reusable
 

Wizzlebiz

Well-Known Member
People over complicated sprouting seedlings.

Here are the steps
1 Put seed into soil about a half inch down
2 cover with soil
3 water
4 wait

Literally that simple.

Fuckin aye...... necro thread...
 
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I'm a first time grower. I managed to germinate two Afghan Landrace Seeds. They had healthy taproot. I transplanted both in organic soil, added some perlite. I watered the pot before planting the seeds (not sure if I should have done that, since the soil was already moist). Later I checked with the hyrdo-meter for moisture and it showed "Wet". The seeds haven't been in there for more than couple of hours now, should I be worried that there is too much water in my pots ? Should I re-pot them?
 

Nope_49595933949

Well-Known Member
I'm a first time grower. I managed to germinate two Afghan Landrace Seeds. They had healthy taproot. I transplanted both in organic soil, added some perlite. I watered the pot before planting the seeds (not sure if I should have done that, since the soil was already moist). Later I checked with the hyrdo-meter for moisture and it showed "Wet". The seeds haven't been in there for more than couple of hours now, should I be worried that there is too much water in my pots ? Should I re-pot them?
Yes
 

Jjgrow420

Well-Known Member
Lol. 'the meter showed wet'. I need to start making these meters and selling them. Can't believe people spend money on something so silly. If you actually want to know the turgor pressure, buy a tensiometer that measures in millibars. Then and only then is it worth it to use a moisture meter. Those cheap Walmart 'sensors' are a total waste of money..... You can't tell if the medium is wet or dry yourself...???
Phone apps for par levels, cheap moisture meters, cheap ph and ec meters.... Are all garbage. Why even try to get technical without the proper instruments to get proper data from? I don't get it.
 
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