Best way to germinate seeds for hydro?

I eventually will be putting these seeds into a rockwool cube, and then into my hydro system..


My question is, should i simply put the seed into the rockwool cube and let it pop? or should i germinate it first, and then put it into the rockwool cube?


And whats the best way to prepare the cube for the seed (soaking the cube with nutes prior to putting in the seed, etc.)?


Im thinking the easiest way would be to just prepare a cube and put the seed directly into it.. What do you all think i should do?

You can germinate them first in paper towels if you want, but it's not required. Just dip the corner of the cube in a bowl of water and let it soak up about half way. Don't soak the entire cube or it might stay too moist.

Yup.
Completely based on preference.
I like paper towel method so I know which seeds have sprouted before I bury 'em.
But there is no paper towel god in nature

Any way works as long as your seed is moist.

I just place the seed in the cube then cover with a little potting soil. Germinating seed in paper towel then placing in cube seems would cause harm. Soak you cube in PH 5.8 water for 1/2 hr before use.

This is where im confused - some people say to soak the cube for a half hour, other people say youre supposed to soak it for 24 hours! which is it? Also, should i use just plain water, or should i add something like ThriveAlive or a similar product?

Just plain water, your seedling doesn't need nutes yet. The purpose of soaking cubes in 5.8ph water is to lower the ph of the cube. rockwool tends to raise ph. I've used it for yrs and that all I do is 1/2 to 1 hr. You can soak it for 24 hrs if you want but it's not needed. I never did.

I wonder why they say 24hours, and why thrivealive is for germinating.. weird.
Anyway thanks for the advice.

I also wonder about foliar spraying..
Fulvex says its great for foliar spraying, what do you think?
Or what else would be good to foliar spray while its still a sprout or youngling?

Put in media than water in hydro system twice a day for 15 minutes

If seeds r good look for babies in 4 days.

I hate Rockwell I use clay pellets, pest don't like them.

chrishydro - I use rockwool only for germination and/or cloning.. I then put the rockwool cube into my hydro system, which is full of hydroton (clay pellets).

soak the seeds for 24 hours in one of these root riot trays.
they are very dark in colour, biodegradable in your clay pellet pots, soil pots, etc, and are very soft sponge to handle and light cannot easily penetrate them and they are amazing to use and are presealed in a polythene seal and preloaded with ph adjusted water just pop in your seeds then tear a small corner off each cube and plug the top hole over the seed.
clones can be placed in them too with a rooting gel.
they are actually made from soil somehow, (but how they are made is beyond me) so they have feed properties built in
place in to a dark warm place 26c to 30c for 24 hours and then place in to a propagator under a veg lamp.
do not let them dry out, and remember to handle the seeds with sterile gloves and/or tweezers.
i bet you are in for a shock how many seeds sprout and grow out of 24 seeds.
try to keep them between 26c and 30c when in the propagator by adjusting the light height up and down to adjust the heat.
and watch your humidity too, feed the seedlings with seedling nutrients or place in a good soil.
once they are established lift them from the tray and pop the cubes in to any system you like and they will biodegrade.

http://www.premierhydroponics.com/product.php?id_product=455

they have the 50 cube ones on ebay usa too.

Ender87i said:

I wonder why they say 24hours, and why thrivealive is for germinating.. weird.
Anyway thanks for the advice.

I also wonder about foliar spraying..
Fulvex says its great for foliar spraying, what do you think?
Or what else would be good to foliar spray while its still a sprout or youngling?

Click to expand...

only spray downwards on top of the leaves and not underneath, rain does not fall up the way in nature.

Question: When you plant a seed, should the pointed end of the seed point UP or DOWN?

????????????

Quick question. Would it do any harm to add a little rooting compound into the rockwool when i put the sprouted seeds into them.

I wouldnt.. rooting compound is for clones.. However rooting SOLUTION might be a good idea, since it has the right kind of nutrients.

Any other opinions on weather to use plain water, or a mild clone/seedling nutrient, when you soak your cubes and plant your seed?

Stop over thinking and keep it moist..don't over water. No more than 50% Humidity or you'll rot it..oxygen is just as important. If u believe that the sun takes a day off. ..then you shouldn't have the seeds lol. Just kidding. But realize that the seeds are not in the light because they are usually covered by whatever medium trust me you need lightning because that's how nature does it...don't worry about nutes until they ask for it....in hydro if u must, use an 8th of recomended strength and step it up gradually. My family owns a farm and its been around since 46 I've definitely planted a million seeds by now. Just remember its a seed although it is a science, its not rocket science. I understand u just want to do things the best way possible. I've been there too. Over thinking and reinventing causes stress. stress kills. Best of luck bud