Better to place sprouted seed into small pot or in the seed starter tray?

[interceptor69]

I have some auto flower seeds that are sprouting. I wondered if it was better to go ahead and stick them in the plug and then directly into a small pot with some dirt to reduce transplant shock, which I have heard can be a problem with their abbreviated life cycle. The 1st 2 Purple Haze I sprouted a couple weeks ago, and the transplant from the seed starter/plug into the small pots (those are in my avatar-pic taken today) seems to have slowed their growth. They're picking up the pace now but I worry they're gonna be too small when finished to yield much. This is my 1st time using autos. Way back when I had a grow (early 2000's) there were no autos or feminized seeds so this is new to me.

[Allotrope1000]

Hi, Interceptor.
Ask a dozen growers how to handle seeds/seedlings and you will get a dozen answers. I'd say if it works for you, do it.
My method is originally from the cocoforcannabis website. I use it for autos and photos:_
- scarify seeds first in a sand paper tube, grit inside, for 30+ seconds.
This nicks the seed coat to allow easier water entry.
- clean a cup, soak in water plus some 3% H2O2 to inhibit any pathogen.
- place seeds to germinate using paper towel method.
- after getting 3/8" to 1/2" tap root, gently plant into a hydrated Jiffy Pellet. Put under grow light.
Zero to very, very light fertilizer
- transplant to clean 4" pot of coco/ perlite when roots appear at bottom.
- transplant to one gallon pot of coco/perlite.
- transplant to final grow medium/site when roots poke through bottom.
The multiple transplants take a little (not much) extra time but ends up with a heavily populated ball of roots which helps ensure a strong, healthy plant.
You will get some additional good ideas from other forum members.

[wannabeagrower]

I haven't grown yet, but my plan is to sprout the seeds right in the pot so I don't have to move seeds around.

The two seedlings in your profile pic look good. How old are they now?

[interceptor69]

10 days. They're autos and worry that transplanting again and again will stunt their already compromised growth.

[Allotrope1000]

My autos usually grow 3' to 4' tall using my multiple transplant method. Have not had stunted growth issues.
Don't try if not comfortable doing it.

[Radeon]

I germinate in paper towels first. That way I'm not watering seeds not knowing if they even will germinate. Once I see a tap poke through the crack, they go to their little cups. You can use red solos if need be. I'll keep them in those until they are getting ready to grow the first fans then transplant to the 5 gallons. That's how I do it. If you have 3 seeds in towels and 1 cracks but the other 2 haven't, wait for the others to catch up. If you plant the quickest one before the others then it will get a head start. They have plenty of energy to last a bit in the paper towels. Most of the time, the others might only be a day or 2 behind if your seeds are from the same batch.....

[Beeman]

You ask 10 growers a question you’ll get 12 different answers. My preference is.
dip seed in hydrogen peroxide.
soak seed in distilled water in shot glass for 12-24 hours
put seeds in between damp paper towels distilled water in dark area about room temperature
after root sprouts @About 1/2 inch move to 3 peat pot with soil
transplant to bigger pot in5-7 days. To final destination. Works for me for both autos and photos.

[dmpmfd]

I germinate in paper towels first. That way I'm not watering seeds not knowing if they even will germinate. Once I see a tap poke through the crack, they go to their little cups. You can use red solos if need be. I'll keep them in those until they are getting ready to grow the first fans then transplant to the 5 gallons. That's how I do it. If you have 3 seeds in towels and 1 cracks but the other 2 haven't, wait for the others to catch up. If you plant the quickest one before the others then it will get a head start. They have plenty of energy to last a bit in the paper towels. Most of the time, the others might only be a day or 2 behind if your seeds are from the same batch.....

I also do the above steps but use a coffee filter instead of paper towels since the tap root has less chances of rooting into the filter compared to the paper towel. Next grow will be testing a BudCup to start the seed in before putting into the final pot.

[Radeon]

I also do the above steps but use a coffee filter instead of paper towels since the tap root has less chances of rooting into the filter compared to the paper towel. Next grow will be testing a BudCup to start the seed in before putting into the final pot.

I have never seen a tap root do that in 3 years of growing. When I say tap root, it's a nub. Maybe at most 1/8th-1/4 of an inch. I'd like to see pics of that.

[dmpmfd]

I just meant the root from the seed in general and not specifically a size before planting into your medium choice.

[MeowMeow]

I've had the root grow into the paper towel before. It was annoying because I had to cut the roots out, and plant them with the paper towels. There way no way to separate them. I wondered if the tiny pieces of paper towel inside the Rapid Rooter would cause a problem but it seemed fine in the end.

I think the taproots grew in to the paper towels because i used those fancy "cloth-like" ones. I saw on GWE to use the cheapest paper towels you can find for the paper towel method, and now the sprouted seeds just sit on top like they're supposed to.

[ductwizard2]

I germ in a shot glass and just wait for the seed to crack open. I'm afraid to leave them in water anymore than 24-36 hrs cause i heard they can drown, seems like those roots are really long. how long do you leave them in the paper towel? Also most of the directions i've read for the paper towel method say to keep them moist but not too moist. What the hell does that even mean?

[dmpmfd]

Paper towel/filter wet to touch but not dripping water if held above the plate is how I've done. Not science just my history of grows.

[MeowMeow]

I usually check on them after 2 days. Sometimes you get really vigorous sprouts, especially if it's really fresh seeds.

[Allotrope1000]

Beeman has it down. I do similar with no problems.