Starter Cubes and Germination

[how2banana]

Can anyone tell me the conditions that seedlings prefer during germination? I read that it's generally considered veg by around day 14, but what about the time before that? How much water and light and heat do they need to thrive and be successful? And also with starter cubes, can I put those directly into my smart pot once the roots start to come through? Or no? (and if anyone is willing to tell me, how does draining work with smart pots since they don't have drain holes on the bottom, or is that even an issue)

[Royal Nugs]

I think 75-80F and 40-60% humidity is ideal for seedlings/germination. After the 14 day period you mentioned, the plants should be able to endure a bit harsher environment. For optimal performance, the same temp/hum is recommended.

They don't need a ton of light to start, but you want to give them enough so they don't stretch too much. I would recommend 1.5x the distance you would run in veg to start and ease your way down. Some strains are different, so your mileage may vary.

Don't overwater, keep them moist but let them dry out a bit before watering again. The starter plug has a very contrasting look to it when it's dry vs when wet. I advise you dry one out so you can have a reference point.

The starter plugs can be planted directly into your media of choice. This makes them extremely versatile, which is why I only use starter plugs now.

The smart pots will drain from the bottom as well as the sides from what I've heard.

[how2banana]

Thanks a lot for this man, I'm looking all around because this is my first grow and (obviously) my first time using smart pots, and I'm just used to seeing pots with holes in the bottom for drainage but my smart pots don't have that, which is why I'm confused. And you say let them dry out a bit, does that mean just a little bit or basically all the way? And one last thing, do I put the starter cube into my pot when it starts the veg cycle? Or is there a more optimum time?

[tree dawg]

it is fabric water will drain threw it

[D-TrainCA]

Many growers like to move cubes to a smaller container for a short time before moving to the final pot. Red cups are popular. You can water them more often in a smaller container, getting more O2 to the roots. It's believed you'll get faster growth this way. This is assuming you're using soil. If going to coco or some other hydro medium in the pots, it doesn't matter as much since you can water more often.

[Gordo41]

In addition, i mist my seedlings with a fine mist of PHed water. This helps with giving the plant the hydration it might not get from the root. I do this until they have a few good sets of leaves and then i add a weak 1/8 - 1/4 strength nutes to the mister. Seems to really help with development.

[Gordo41]

I put my cubes into a red cup of coco from the start when i put the seed or clone in the cube. That way there is enough medium around the cube to keep it from drying out.

[Royal Nugs]

I personally like to wait until i see the main taproot coming out of the bottom of the plug. Don't let it get too long or you risk damaging it during transfer. It then goes into a solo cup for a couple weeks, then into a 3 gallon pot in my case, where they will live the rest of their life.

[Gordo41]

Yeah, thats one of the reasons i put the cube right into the cup so I don't damage the root, i use t germ them in PT but broke off too many roots that way.

[how2banana]

Thanks guys, really helps out a lot. If any of you are still here (especially you royal), if transferred to a solo cup, how long until I put it in its final home, and how would i go about doing it from the cup?

[Gordo41]

Actually you could start them right into the pot they will stay in all their life if you have the room. Lots of growers do this to save on having to transplant.
but if you must use cups to get them going, i would move them into pots as soon as i saw roots coming out the holes in the bottom of the cups,,, assuming you have holes.

[Royal Nugs]

Nebula has a great guide on it. Quick answer: until the leaves stretch past the edge of the cup.