using a humdity dome with rapid rooter plugs for germination

[Nodgman]

So im having ALOT of problems with my seedlings. i lost 10 out of 15 in about 2 days, i germinated them using the paper towel method. Then i planted them in their pots with the tap root facing down. Problem was i planted them too deep and then when i tried to unbury them and i ended up damaging the seedlings... Then i tried using a germination kit, you know, the kind that has the clear dome and rapid rooter plugs... Well this resulted in much healthier looking seedlings, compared to the first time... I just waited until the first serrated leaves were showing then i put the plugs in larger pots... But i noticed that right after taking them out of the dome they seemed to struggle a little.... So im wondering if this is due to the humidity difference... Inside the dome humidity has to be around 100% (sitting on heating element) and then in the grow tent its around 30-50% humidity.

How long should i leave the seedlings in the dome? Or how can i tell when its time to take them out of the dome?

Thanks in advance, any advice will help, i definitely don't want to loose another batch of seeds due to my own stupidity.

Edit** by the way, on the dome lid i poked four holes in it... 2 on each side, plus ive been opening the dome twice a day for air exchange.

 

[Havek]

You dont need a dome for seedlings. Just be patient, 30 to 50% is fine. It'll be fine.

 

[Edgar9]

Are you watering too much when you go into the larger pot? Or going from the dome to too close to an intense light? Or feeding them nutes too early?

I get out of my dome asap. As soon as those baby leaves open up you're vegging.

 

[burgertime2010]

Seeds actually do not need a dome over them, the key really is letting them alone as much as possible. Use a sprayer to water them, but sparingly....roots reach out for water and I encourage this.

 

[dankxherb]

I agree with the first post you do not need a dome for seedlings only clones... From the sound of it since you were "digging up" your seeds to check on em you might be a tad bit impatient and patience is the key with growing marijuana esecially in the seedling/vegatative stage of growth. just make sure you are watering them enough once u plant them id get the rapid rooter or material wet and make sure u ph the water if your watering your plants with straight acid or alkaline that can cause a problem too. Just water everytime your rapid rooter/medium starts to feel like its about 75% of the way dry and light water. I would also make sure like you said you are not planting to deep and that the heatinf element isnt set over 85F-90F. Hope this helps. Anyways peace and pot and happy growing if you need anything else just let me know!

 

[Nodgman]

You dont need a dome for seedlings. Just be patient, 30 to 50% is fine. It'll be fine.

Your right, I got a bit impatient/ worried that the seedlings wouldn't find their way to the surface.

 

[Nodgman]

Are you watering too much when you go into the larger pot? Or going from the dome to too close to an intense light? Or feeding them nutes too early?

I get out of my dome asap. As soon as those baby leaves open up you're vegging.

If there was something that could be done wrong, I did it. Yeah I definitely screwed up putting the seeds in 3gallon pots. Because the pots were so large, i way over water them, watering till i had run off. They were under a 250w metal halide light that was about 2-4' away. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Nodgman]

I agree with the first post you do not need a dome for seedlings only clones... From the sound of it since you were "digging up" your seeds to check on em you might be a tad bit impatient and patience is the key with growing marijuana esecially in the seedling/vegatative stage of growth. just make sure you are watering them enough once u plant them id get the rapid rooter or material wet and make sure u ph the water if your watering your plants with straight acid or alkaline that can cause a problem too. Just water everytime your rapid rooter/medium starts to feel like its about 75% of the way dry and light water. I would also make sure like you said you are not planting to deep and that the heatinf element isnt set over 85F-90F. Hope this helps. Anyways peace and pot and happy growing if you need anything else just let me know!

Thanks for the advice dank. The pH is at 6.5, I'm using reverse osmosis ionization water, from the rodi unit I use to make the water for my reef tank. 0 TDS. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Nodgman]

Hey quick question why is a humidity dome good for clones but not seedlings?

 

[Darth Budder]

I THINK its because clones do not have roots, so they need to pull liquid from the air. Just like cutting the leaves stops them from sweating their moisture out.

Might need to check on that if no one else chimes in though

 

[Nodgman]

I THINK its because clones do not have roots, so they need to pull liquid from the air. Just like cutting the leaves stops them from sweating their moisture out.

Might need to check on that if no one else chimes in though

sounds logical. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Edgar9]

If there was something that could be done wrong, I did it. Yeah I definitely screwed up putting the seeds in 3gallon pots. Because the pots were so large, i way over water them, watering till i had run off. They were under a 250w metal halide light that was about 2-4' away. Thanks for the advice.

Whether your first transfer is into a 6 inch pot or three gallon pot you should drench the soil in the pot first without the seedling in the pot. Once the soil is drenched dig a hole out and add the seedling. Then water the starter cube in with a cup of water to mesh the two, plug and medium.
I love using my dome. If you wet the starter plug and then put water on the bottom of your dome tray so that the water in the bottom of the tray doesn't touch the starter cube you're good to go. Your plugs should sit above the water and since the cube is starting off wet and in the dome with water on the bottom, the cube will stay wet for the duration of the germing and you don't need to water the cube.
Once those first leaves open up it's best to go into a six inch pot next but I've gone into 5 gallon buckets with seedlings no problem as long as you use the method of drenching first without the seedling in yet.
I've also gone from my dome to under a 400 watt with seedlings. Not ideal but you can do it, you just need to give them some xtra distance, like three feet to start.

 

[bigsteve]

When first placing seedlings into dirt remember -- leave the very top of the seedling uncovered by dirt. Set the s'ling into the hole you made, but make the hole only deep enough for most of the s'ling. Do not bury the whole thing! Works 4 me, BigSteve.