Starting DCW from seed in clay pellets?

[RobertM46]

Im trying to find some information on growing seedlings in a clay dwc. Ive got a couple seeds germinating, Ive got my bucket, air pump, net pots, clay pellets and general hydro 3 part.
Im trying to start from a germinated seed with a couple inches of root growth in a netpot with clay pellets. Ive read that you should start your net pot just barley touching the water at the start but since my seedlings arent in cubes will the clay that my seedlings are surrounded by dry out?

 

[HydoDan]

Best way I've found is Rapid-Rooters..
You may need to raise the water level to keep them moist til the roots grow some..

 

[RobertM46]

Best way I've found is Rapid-Rooters..
You may need to raise the water level to keep them moist til the roots grow some..

Thanks! I raise the water and keep the seeds moise to have a try.

 

[hotrodharley]

You’ll have to pour the solution through the top multiple times a day until roots touch the soup. Net basket should never touch water. Good luck with this.

 

[RobertM46]

You’ll have to pour the solution through the top multiple times a day until roots touch the soup. Net basket should never touch water. Good luck with this.

Thks!

 

[futurebanjo]

I started mine off in the traditional paper towel method.

Once the seeds popped I very gently put them in root riot cubes I'm guessing they are basically the same thing as rapid rooters, they hold moisture but also allow drainage if you over-saturate them. watered with plain water at first and then a REALLY mild feed as seedlings don't really need feeeing much, but the cube I used are inert, as in they have no nutes what-so-ever.

Once the roots breach the cubes a bit, just plonk the whole thing into the clay ball basket.

 

[futurebanjo]

You’ll have to pour the solution through the top multiple times a day until roots touch the soup. Net basket should never touch water. Good luck with this.

If you get your water levels right, as in just below the bottom of the net pots, like half an inch/ 1 inch or there abouts.
you don't need to water from above.
The clay pebbles will get splashed with little darts of water jets from the air stones firing up from the surface of the water.
This is enough to keep the pebbles very slightly damp and encourage the roots to grow toward the water level.

 

[futurebanjo]

since my seedlings arent in cubes will the clay that my seedlings are surrounded by dry out?

Ahh sorry I missed that bit.. Im not sure in that case, I was asssuming the seed was in a cube which will also hold some moisture,, the balls will hold a bit of moisture but you might need to be carefull there that they stay damp enough.

 

[smokey0418]

Everyone has there idea.

Mine is make sure the water is just below your seedling root, or cube if in one.

Sure they can make their way through , from splashes and such, but in there wee need I find it much easier to run my water 2 inches into my net pot and then once there swimming maybe I will lower or better yet just leave until they have sucked it down .

Enjoy and good luck with your grow.