HYDRO When to add nutrients and lights to seedlings in DWC system

[abernot]

New grower here about to embark on my first hydro grow in DWC. I am using Botanicare Pro Bloom, Grow, Hydroguard, CalMag and Silica Blast. I had a few questions regarding post-germination:

- When should I add nutrients to my reservoirs?
- How much nutrients should I add at the seedling phase?
- When should I have the lights on the seedling?

I am germinating my seeds using the paper towel method. Once the get their tap roots, I will be moving them into rock wool cubes and will be immediately placing them directly into my net pots.

My setup is as follows:

- Growing 4 auto flowers
- Each plant will be in a 5 gallon bucket
- Using RO water
- Running two 300w LED lights in a 4x4x7 grow tent

Any insights are appreciated!

[HappyDaze]

I'd suggest that you take the time to properly pH adjust your RW cubes and don't be in a hurry to start feeding them anything until the roots have grown out through the sides on the cubes. The plants will develop a better root ball if you start them out a little hungry.

I start feeding at around 350 ppm (1/4 strength) when the roots are out through the bottom of a 3.5" net pot and are ready for the DWC. Before that, they're in rooting trays with H2O and maybe a little fulvic acid. As for lighting, I keep them under a CFL until they're fully rooted....they don't need much of anything to start.

[Formernuke]

I did my first a couple years ago. I killed the first two by adding notes two early, restarted with new seeds and grew some great plants. That time the second set I waited one week after sprout to add very low dose notes. My current I waited till second set of true leaves appeared and had roots coming out the bottom (on advice from other member) that wound up being 6 days after sprout. The girls are 3 weeks old and looking great now.

Fir lights once they sprout they need it.

[Cloud]

Ive always added nutes as soon as they went into dwc and never had a problem. Grown several different strains of autoflowers and all got really big. Almost pound per plant. Im using General hydroponics nutes. Can take a pic in a bit when lights come on. Just started 12 Blue widow haze autoflowers. Second run as well