Germinating with Rapid Rooters

[RubySlippers]

Sorry if this has been addressed...I understand that I need to keep Rapid Rooters warm and moist, but does it need to be in the dark as well? I keep finding conflicting advice. Thanks!

[Newf]

It does not need to be dark, but be careful not to put it under strong light as seedlings can burn easily. I have used a small fluorescent seedling lamp from the beginning with good effect. They do not require light to germinate, but if you wait too long to put them under light they will stretch.

[RubySlippers]

Thanks, Newf. I guess I'm just nervous and impatient. I started germinating on Sunday and I have no growth at this point. Hygrometer reads about 75 degrees and 80% humidity under an incandescent bulb. I guess I'll give it a few more days.

[Newf]

Always tough to wait for them to pop. Do you have seeds from a company or bag seed? I have been soaking in water for 12 to 18 hours then in a warm, wet paper towel (don't let it dry out) until they crack before I put them in the rapid rooters. That way I know the seed it good.

[Newf]

[RubySlippers]

I bought the seeds online. Great advice regarding cracking first then moving to the Rapid Rooters. I'm going to let nature do her thing in the RR, but if there's no seedling in a week I might pull the seeds out and try the paper towel. Then transfer back to the RR.

[alltatup]

Ruby, I have learned to put them in the RRs, check them twice and day and just leave them alone otherwise, You could raise the heat to 80, sometimes they pop right up in a couple of days, sometimes 5-7 days. I don't soak em; I just pop em right in the RRs in a germ tray and lid with vent, w/ heating pad

[Tika]

Same as Alltatup here. Straight to RR ( RRs in a tray made for them) pointy end of seed down. I use a dome on top of the large tray. and mist the dome with pH 6 water and it sits on a heat mat. I am in semi dark-seedlings a bit yellow due to no light but as soon as I see root and some seedling they go into their little starter pots and under T5s.

[bobsakamoto]

Newf ....great little concise tutorial of pics only there....very helpful

[RubySlippers]

Thanks again Newf. Great pics!

[oldjarhead100]

its a personal preference I have soaked mine but dont any more, now I put them in wet paper towels on a plate sitting on my cable box for heat. once they have cracked I split a rapidrooter in half and lay the seed in it close it back up and place in a dome. couple of days everything is up and growing. its what works best for you. old seed does take much longer to crack than new seed . dont know why that is I think the shell gets harder. just be very very careful with the seeds when the tap root is showing break it and game over

[Skippy]

I use Rapid rooters to Germ. I simply soak them in water for a bit squeeze them out so they are not dripping wet, i put the seed down inside the hole and pull a tiny chunk of the rapid rooter off the bottom to cover the seed hole. within 2-3 days she pokes her head out. Just remember to keep the rooter moist but not soaked and wait. I have had 100% germ rate this way with at least 30+ different seeds from different strains over the last few years.

But as said above it is whatever works for you. find a way that make sense to you and you will find things go easier when you are confident in your process.

[RubySlippers]

Thanks, everyone! Patience proved worthwhile...2 of the 4 have popped! The tap root is actually growing through the bottom of the RR so I'm thinking it's time to graduate to a larger container. My final container will be a 5 gallon fabric pot (The ones recommended on this site. Can't think of the brand off hand.) I don't have my tent 100% ready so I was thinking of transplanting the RR to a 12oz coffee cup. Ghetto, I know. Good idea, or no?

[Newf]

I take all my rapid rooters and put them in a plastic Solo cup full of good soil once that tap root comes out. After a couple of weeks they are big enough to put in their final pots. Just make sure whatever you put them in has some drainage. (I poke holes in the bottom of the plastic cups.)