Questions on starting new seedlings in DWC

Was peeking through some threads here and found some conflicting views on starting your beans and I thought I'd ask here to see whats what. To start, I know not to throw sprouts in nuted water and under HID lights! Not the question.

Ok, I was reading what someone wrote that you should pop your beans and let them grow to several inches tall before you move them into your DWC 5 gallon bucket setup. I think they were suggesting they start them in essentially a smaller DWC setup with smaller netpots then moving them into the 5 gallon bucket setup. I guess I'm not seeing why. If I sprout some seeds so the cotyledon leaves are showing and throw them into the bucket setup, how does that "hurt" the plant? From what I can see there is no real difference in starting them in the big buckets vs starting in a smaller one then moving it over. I'm sure I'm missing something here.

Of course I'm not referring to just throwing your new sprouts in 'nuted water and under the big lights! Just curious is there is a difference (other than size of the bucket) in letting your sprouts grow in the big bucket vs a small one then moving over. Space issue maybe? Growing your babies in small area to save space before moving into "flowering room" to save square footage in your garden?

If there is a good reason that isn't just anecdotal BS then I'd love to hear it from you uber experienced growers out there. Only two years in here so I'm still a nub.


** After rereading the posts that got me wondering I think they were just warning someone not to put tiny plants in a full on operational RDWC with nutes and HID lights. That is a good rule to follow for sure. **

I would get a dome and start them there, let them grow and establish good roots and then move them to the buckets. For example: put your net pots in the dome with hydroton and a root riot with your seed already in there. Let the dome do it thing and i dont see why after 2/3 weeks you shouldn't move the net pot to the bucket system with the water level just below it or even covering it a little. Oh, and an air stone bubbling on it.

If you adapt the dome well and take the lid off after a few days to prepare for the transplant I don't see why not even giving a little nuted water at half strenght

I'm a newbie, but this is what i'd do

M_59 said:

I would get a dome and start them there, let them grow and establish good roots and then move them to the buckets. For example: put your net pots in the dome with hydroton and a root riot with your seed already in there. Let the dome do it thing and i dont see why after 2/3 weeks you shouldn't move the net pot to the bucket system with the water level just below it or even covering it a little. Oh, and an air stone bubbling on it.

If you adapt the dome well and take the lid off after a few days to prepare for the transplant I don't see why not even giving a little nuted water at half strenght

I'm a newbie, but this is what i'd do

Click to expand...

Sounds like you have a good system for you. Rock on. I was more curious as to specifics on the whys people are not supposed to start the new sprouts in a bigger bucket vs a small one.

I think the only advantage is that smaller setup is more easy to handle.

Most will probably advise other wise. but I have had good success with planting seeds in 8 oz cups of miracle grow seed starter. After they pop I veg under fluros for 7 to 10 days. Then I gently wash the dirt away in buckets of water and transplant into my 6in net pots of hydroton, with mild nute solution. Then back under the fluros until the roots develope enough to put under the hid lights. Then veg till you are ready to flower. Usually takes me 20 to 30 days from seed to flower. Your mileage may vary because some strains veg faster than others. But I haven't lost a plant yet this way.

It's down to personal preference at the end of the day and what type of system you're using, there is no reason why you can't put small plants straight into your system.

There are advantages putting bigger plants into your system for example a seedling that is 4 weeks old as opposed to 2 weeks old is going to be much bigger and stronger, so when you transplant into your system it's going to have a better head start.

You also save that time in veg, and that veg time mounts up each time you cycle your plant. So over the course of a year that time mounts up.

Like you say it's about time and space, and energy costs and nothing to do with growing the plants themselves.

I just like to ensure I've got big healthy seedlings to export to my growing systems, but that's just my personal preference.

Makes perfect sense explained that way. Its more of a best practice to maximize your space. Thanks!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Rollitup mobile app

ok, i got this info from superstoner1 and it works great. Get some super 7 expanding peat pots and follow instructions. after roots develope they fit perfectly in 2" net pots and i grow mine to completion in the 2" net pot. look em up on the internet. just food for thought. Keep it simple

I germ my seeds, then place in rockwool. After they sprout they go straight into my buckets with plain water and some bennies. I don't start feeding until , the 2nd set of true leaves appear. I veg under T-5 lights.

Also, I veg in 2 gal buckets and move to 3.5, but it is a space and control issue for me.

I germed mine in PT. Then into rockwool under a dome. Once I had a tap root showing they went into the big bucket with a dome over each individual with straight distilled water. They are loving life at 27 days now. Been on rapid start and life solution for 1weeks and roots have EXPLODED!!!

Crack the seed in water place in loose coir wait a week rinse roots stick a neoprene collar round it and into the net pot it goes

Wear powder free laytex gloves you shouldnt touch the seed with bare hands for many reasons

I have done both ways and the biggest reason i found is its way easier to keep the humidity that a seedling needs in a dome.. if you can simulate that near 100% humidity that they prefer it might work just as well in your bucket right off..

toaster struedel said:

Most will probably advise other wise. but I have had good success with planting seeds in 8 oz cups of miracle grow seed starter. After they pop I veg under fluros for 7 to 10 days. Then I gently wash the dirt away in buckets of water and transplant into my 6in net pots of hydroton, with mild nute solution. Then back under the fluros until the roots develope enough to put under the hid lights. Then veg till you are ready to flower. Usually takes me 20 to 30 days from seed to flower. Your mileage may vary because some strains veg faster than others. But I haven't lost a plant yet this way.

Click to expand...

Do you have a preferred germination method?

A week ago, I transferred a few germinated seeds into 1.5 inch rockwool cubes. About an hour ago, the one that sprouted was transferred to the mini hydroponic station. There is an air stone in there. Does anyone have advice to share? Happy 4th of July!!

First off, Happy 4th!!!!

Second, that looks like a great setup for clones or a really small grow, but my concern would be root competion. With the plants so close i just feel like the roots are fighting for their claim in the rez. Maybe im being over cautious, but thats just my 2¢.