Seedling Transplant to DWC: Tap Root or First True Leaves?

Just Be

Just Be

Well-Known Member
I'm getting to transplant a seedling (into a WaterFarm) that just broke through the surface today. The cotyledons are green and very surprisingly the tap root is already poking out of the Rapid Rooter. When introducing seedlings into DWC, is it more important that the seedling has its first true leaves or is it the length of the tap root that's important? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
Airwalker16

Airwalker16

Well-Known Member
Get that rapid rooter into some kind of pot immediately. Wrap the dicker in tin foil if you have to. Let the roots get good and established first, THEN put it in the dwc. It will have no trouble at all blasting roots out and down into the water once you pack that rooter full of roots.
 
Just Be

Just Be

Well-Known Member
Thanks, Air. It's currently sitting in a net pot surrounded by hydroton and the net pot is sitting in a germination tray with water up to the bottom of the RR and an air stone bubbling in the water. That should work, eh?
 
fragileassassin

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
I didnt like this method. I killed too many seedlings from the bottoms of the rooters staying too wet.
Ive had good results with this batch of bs seeds putting them straight into the cloner as soon as they were big enough. Theyll stay in there until their roots will reach out of the bottom of net pots.
 
Just Be

Just Be

Well-Known Member
fragileassassin said:
I didnt like this method. I killed too many seedlings from the bottoms of the rooters staying too wet.
Ive had good results with this batch of bs seeds putting them straight into the cloner as soon as they were big enough. Theyll stay in there until their roots will reach out of the bottom of net pots.
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The way that it currently sits is really no different then how it'll be once it goes into the Waterfarm. I'm just kind of hesitant to move it into the WF so soon after it breaking the surface.
 
fragileassassin

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
yeah that transition was always super slow for me and im not a patient person so I looked for ways to make it better and the best solution I arrived at was the simple one of wait until they had 6" or so of roots. 4 day old seedlings pulled out of the coco mix and put in the cloner worked, going to try a bubble bucket next.
 
Just Be

Just Be

Well-Known Member
I don't really care for this method of germination myself. I actually picked up a used Aerogarden today and will be using that for germination from now on.
 
rkymtnman

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
Just Be said:
I don't really care for this method of germination myself. I actually picked up a used Aerogarden today and will be using that for germination from now on.
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i use a 3 site similar contraption. rapids fit in perfectly. just about foolproof for startingseeds.
 
Just Be

Just Be

Well-Known Member
rkymtnman said:
i use a 3 site similar contraption. rapids fit in perfectly. just about foolproof for startingseeds.
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Although, after coming setting up the WF the way that it currently is (with the plastic bottle ring, 4 gallons of water etc) ..I might start my next round right in the WF and save the areogarden for starting tomato plants for outdoors.
 
S

Sensei420

Member
Why doesn’t anyone just sprout their seeds straight in rockwool in your system ? It’s never failed me. Just keep water level an inch lower than rockwool until roots are through and then let water level and roots lower together?
 
Just Be

Just Be

Well-Known Member
How can the length of roots be monitored while the rockwool or rapid rooter is buried in hydroton?
 
S

Sensei420

Member
Just Be said:
How can the length of roots be monitored while the rockwool or rapid rooter is buried in hydroton?
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Honestly I just guess. The fact that we create such a moist humid environment in our buckets gives a pretty good buffer area. As long as your levels aren’t too high you’re probably ok, I’m no pro. This is just my way.
 
Just Be

Just Be

Well-Known Member
I had the res level an inch below the net pot for the first five days but have since lowered it to normal operating level. I've been running the drip ring around the seedling from the start but just started hand watering around it today. (just to be on the safe side) ..I probably should have started with the hand watering on day one but I'll be sure to next time.
 
rkymtnman

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
JB, I'm gonna transfer my RR's to WF's tomorrow. all 3 have nice root development and leaves. had to bring in my medium from out in the garage to thaw out: it's only 9F.
 
Just Be

Just Be

Well-Known Member
rkymtnman said:
JB, I'm gonna transfer my RR's to WF's tomorrow. all 3 have nice root development and leaves. had to bring in my medium from out in the garage to thaw out: it's only 9F.
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Awesome. I still think you'll be ahead of mine growth-wise. Although, since I'm running an auto I may finish up before yours. I found some grow diaries on CBD Crack the other day and found out that what I thought was stunted growth is perfectly normal. What a relief!
 
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