Starting seeds in Rapid Rooters

[DnkTnk]

has any experienced issues with starting seeds in rapid rooters? I had used jiffy pellets for seeds, then got rapid rooters for clones because they seem to stay moist longer than pellets. But then I tried popping a seed in a rapid rooter for first time and it didn't go well. I could see the upside down U shaped taproot but it just never breached to stand up. The taproot eventually died without ever popping. Now I started another seed in a rooter and am on the 2nd day of seeing the taproot without it popping out of rooter. I'm wondering if it's an issue with the seed being too deep in the pre existing hole in top of rooter plug, I also cover the seed with a small piece of the corner of rooter that I rip off and break up into tiny pieces to cover the seed in the hole. Is the moist peet just too heavy for the seed to breach through? Should I not cover the seed when I put it in the pre existing hole in the rapid rooter? Don't wanna lose another nirvana seed. Any input is much appreciated.

[Karlee]

Hi Dnk

Sorry I don't remember your growing set up but it sounds like you are drowning the baby. I did it with my DWC

jiffy pellets are peat moss, rapid rooters are also but added stuff and I like it better.

the seed is smart and the tap root goes down in search of food and water sending the plant up (green part) Green had a great suggestion to slice (cut) the rooter almost in half and then you can check and help if you see a problem ...I really think you're having a water problem though.

Good luck and so far the third day on seeds is the magic number and by the fifth you should have a little baby.

[DingusKhan]

I think Karlee is right. In my vast experience (I've started 3 seeds), if I start out with rapid rooters fresh from the sealed package, OR if I have to rewet with pH water, I squeeze it out so that it only drips one slow drop with a gentle squeeze (don't wring it completely out). If it's too wet, the sprout drowns and rots. Also keep it warm, like 73-75F.

[growgreenjr]

I used rapid rooters with excellent success recently; 90% or better germination. I will definitely use them again, they seem foolproof. Unfortunately, it is easy to over water the seeds; I also used a 'grow dome' kit with heat mat, positioned under a 2' 4-bulb 6500K T5 lamp and it worked great.

http://www.htgsupply.com/products/htg-supply-seed-starter-kit

[Monkey Allen]

I start seeds in rapid rooters directly in the net pots in the reservoir. I put the water level up pretty high so the hydroton is submerged, and the water line is just below the rapid rooter. I keep a small fan blowing air across it.

I keep my RO water well aerated at 68 degrees and with the pH at 5.6. I keep my LED on 24hrs about 3 ft above the top of the reservoir. Over 90% germination rate too. Love rapid rooters!

[DnkTnk]

Thanks, it actually has slowly breeched the rooter throughout today but hasn't made it completely upright yet to open up. It had me worried because it's well over a week since I planted it. I kinda just lightly pinched the top of the rooter open a little yesterday and saw taproot for first time. I have kept it overly moist I'm afraid bc i didn't realize that was the likely cause of the problem. I started using the rapid rooters for clones since they didn't dry out as quickly as the pellets. The prior seed that died was also likely over watered and after what I thought was too much time passing, I couldn't stop myself from trying to delicately maneuver the taproot/cotyledons in their proper direction, I was over two weeks in at that point but the thing was still white and appeared viable. So moving forward I'll continue using Rooters when popping seeds, I'll just water them less. I don't really pop a lot of seeds anyway, I started a few nirvana strains from fem mix packs and picked my favorite to keep cycling. That's why losing just one seed kinda blows, because it's the only one I have of the particular strain since you only get one each in nirvanas mix packs. The one I lost was BlackJack, the one that breeched today is Ice.

My set-up...

I run a small soil (fox farms) perpetual set up with a 3x3x6 exhausted/carbon filtered led bloom tent and small ho T5 veg tent. I got five 3ga smart pots in bloom space at any given time. I very seldomly use GO Box nutes when necessary but transplant and add soil so I don't use nutes a ton. I'm probably teetering along the line of newbie and seasoned amateur. About two years in as a hobbyist turned self sustained smoker.

[Monkey Allen]

Good luck germinating your future seeds!

[Grinder]

If your starting from seed in rapid rooters I highly recommend poking a smaller hole to place the seed in. I don't use the pre existing hole it swallows the seed. I like to make a new smaller hole on the bottom of the rooters and use them upside down so they look like a volcano.

[Tika]

Interesting adjustment! I always use rooters, put seed a bit in, and gently squeeze...

[DnkTnk]

Here's a visual...

[NA420]

I don't soak my rapid rooter at all as i made a similar mistake when i first switched from peet pellets, you get so used to soaking them that you subconciously soak the rapid rooter, i lost a seed as well but lesson learned and i still use the rooters! Good luck with the grow! Peace!