(and I apologize in advance for such a long email - but I need to be detailed and specific so not to leave anything out, and so people might be able to best advise me and offer help)
Ok - so the first time around, my seedlings died.
I'm not sure why, but I think it was either from not PHing the Rockwool cubes (which I didn't know I needed to do) or doing things in the wrong order.
The lights seemed to burn my plants up before they got a start.
So I bought a storage cabinet to start my plants off. (30" wide - 36" tall - 20" deep)
I also bought a 2 foot long - 2 lamp T5 Flo light; the two bulbs are each 14 watt 6500's
I bought a five inch fan for interior airflow, and bought two 80mm fans that I will install onto drilled holes on the sides of the cabinet - one for intake air - one for exhaust
Now - last time around - I germinated my seeds into wet paper towels - sitting them on top of a DVD player for warmth
After two days my seeds cracked so I placed them into rockwool cubes and soaked them with Distilled Water - and placed them on a prop tray under a humidity dome.
Three days later my seedlings started to grow - and I waited a couple more days before putting them under lights ( I realize now that was a mistake)
My seedlings started to droop down and lean over.
I posted pics; Everyone told me my plants were stretched and I needed to place my plants closer to the lights.
As soon as I did that - my seedlings all seemed to "melt" and dry up and die immediately.
BUT - I was still watering the cubes intermediately; my guess is - I waited too long to add them to the Drip System/Top Feed System - that I have on the ready.
So NOW -
Instead of using Rockwool this time - I bought Rapid Rooter Seed Starters.
(I read that they are better)
I have a Six Seed Starter dealio with Rapid Rooter Seed Starters; and 25 extra plugs for later....or just in case....
I have a Humidity Dome and Tray
I also bought a Seed Heating Mat.
So now for my questions :
1) Do I put the seeds directly into the Seed Starters.....or should I do the paper towel route like before - and place the cracked seeds into the starters...?
2) How do I prep the Seed Starters? Do I soak them like Rockwool, or do I simply add water after I place the seeds into them? (cracked or not)
3) Do I place the seeds (that are in the starters) directly under light to start off with, or do I wait until I seed seedlings pop up?
4) Do I put them under the seed mat from the "get go"- or is there a specific time to start heating the seeds/starters/humidity dome?
5) How soon once the seedlings appear up from the Seed Starters do I transfer the "sprouts" into the Drip System I have on the ready for the seedling stage/vegetation stage?
I will be grateful for any and all help and advice.
This is my second time around, and I really want my plants t succeed this time
Thanks in advance
Jaek
Ok - so the first time around, my seedlings died.
I'm not sure why, but I think it was either from not PHing the Rockwool cubes (which I didn't know I needed to do) or doing things in the wrong order.
The lights seemed to burn my plants up before they got a start.
So I bought a storage cabinet to start my plants off. (30" wide - 36" tall - 20" deep)
I also bought a 2 foot long - 2 lamp T5 Flo light; the two bulbs are each 14 watt 6500's
I bought a five inch fan for interior airflow, and bought two 80mm fans that I will install onto drilled holes on the sides of the cabinet - one for intake air - one for exhaust
Now - last time around - I germinated my seeds into wet paper towels - sitting them on top of a DVD player for warmth
After two days my seeds cracked so I placed them into rockwool cubes and soaked them with Distilled Water - and placed them on a prop tray under a humidity dome.
Three days later my seedlings started to grow - and I waited a couple more days before putting them under lights ( I realize now that was a mistake)
My seedlings started to droop down and lean over.
I posted pics; Everyone told me my plants were stretched and I needed to place my plants closer to the lights.
As soon as I did that - my seedlings all seemed to "melt" and dry up and die immediately.
BUT - I was still watering the cubes intermediately; my guess is - I waited too long to add them to the Drip System/Top Feed System - that I have on the ready.
So NOW -
Instead of using Rockwool this time - I bought Rapid Rooter Seed Starters.
(I read that they are better)
I have a Six Seed Starter dealio with Rapid Rooter Seed Starters; and 25 extra plugs for later....or just in case....
I have a Humidity Dome and Tray
I also bought a Seed Heating Mat.
So now for my questions :
1) Do I put the seeds directly into the Seed Starters.....or should I do the paper towel route like before - and place the cracked seeds into the starters...?
2) How do I prep the Seed Starters? Do I soak them like Rockwool, or do I simply add water after I place the seeds into them? (cracked or not)
3) Do I place the seeds (that are in the starters) directly under light to start off with, or do I wait until I seed seedlings pop up?
4) Do I put them under the seed mat from the "get go"- or is there a specific time to start heating the seeds/starters/humidity dome?
5) How soon once the seedlings appear up from the Seed Starters do I transfer the "sprouts" into the Drip System I have on the ready for the seedling stage/vegetation stage?
I will be grateful for any and all help and advice.
This is my second time around, and I really want my plants t succeed this time
Thanks in advance
Jaek
