starting plants from seed

Bootheel Grower

Bootheel Grower

Active Member
I have a question about starting my plants.. I plan on using rapids rooters after germination.. then transplanting into a one gallon pot with organic soil.. My question is will I need to feed my plants in the one gallon pots.. I plan on using supersoil after I get into my 10 gal pots.. but what will I need to feed while they are in the 1 gallons.
 
calicocalyx

calicocalyx

Well-Known Member
Depends on what's in your starting soil. I start my seedlings in a fluffy mix or one with little amendments in 4inch pots. Then go to 1 or 2 gallons with my hotter soil. Quite often new growers give too much too soon in regards to fertilizer.
 
B

bigsteve

Well-Known Member
If your soil says "organic" on it that means it likely has wood chips mixed in the soil. Plants are able to break the wood fiber into cellulose which it uses as a nutrient. I use MiracleGro Potting Mix and it has the wood chips. I start using nutes in the daily watering as soon as they grow out of the solo cups. About 2 weeks in dirt, eh?


Good luck, BigSteve.
 
calicocalyx

calicocalyx

Well-Known Member
Wood chips can actually pull nitrogen away from the plant as they break down, at least initially. I haven't used roots but if you are concerned at all, cut it with some perlite. Anything that isn't properly composted beforehand could jeopardize the grow, make sure that supersoil has aged properly. Most bagged dirt should be ready to use.
 
GroErr

GroErr

Well-Known Member
calicocalyx said:
Depends on what's in your starting soil. I start my seedlings in a fluffy mix or one with little amendments in 4inch pots. Then go to 1 or 2 gallons with my hotter soil. Quite often new growers give too much too soon in regards to fertilizer.
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I agree and do something similar, I think it's a bit risky putting seedlings straight into hot soil. I use a 50/50 mix of triple mix and Pro-Mix which is essentially peat moss in a party cup, leave them in there until they get a few nodes, then up-pot to 1Gal. I've tried putting them into hot soil in the past and it's too easy to burn them imo. They need some nutrients as soon as they root but mild/light imo until they get a couple of nodes.
 
Bootheel Grower

Bootheel Grower

Active Member
bigsteve said:
If your soil says "organic" on it that means it likely has wood chips mixed in the soil. Plants are able to break the wood fiber into cellulose which it uses as a nutrient. I use MiracleGro Potting Mix and it has the wood chips. I start using nutes in the daily watering as soon as they grow out of the solo cups. About 2 weeks in dirt, eh?


Good luck, BigSteve.
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Thanks for the reply, What nutrient regiment are you using
 
S

Smokenpassout

Well-Known Member
Don't see why you are so set on rapid rooters? I like to start out in little cheapo 16 oz plastic cups with holes in bottom. I just use the good soil mixed with perlite (ffof or hf). I let that little plant go in the cup for three weeks (21 full days). At that point they are big enough for 1/4 strength grow nutrients. I also add a taste of calmag plus because I use distilled water. At 3 weeks or so, I also transplant into my final container (5gallon). I don't like to go to 1 gallon and then 3 gallon anymore. Less disturbing.
 
Bootheel Grower

Bootheel Grower

Active Member
Smokenpassout said:
Don't see why you are so set on rapid rooters? I like to start out in little cheapo 16 oz plastic cups with holes in bottom. I just use the good soil mixed with perlite (ffof or hf). I let that little plant go in the cup for three weeks (21 full days). At that point they are big enough for 1/4 strength grow nutrients. I also add a taste of calmag plus because I use distilled water. At 3 weeks or so, I also transplant into my final container (5gallon). I don't like to go to 1 gallon and then 3 gallon anymore. Less disturbin.. I went with rapid rioters just cause I had them.... I'm just curious about what to feed to hold me over till I transplant into super soil
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calicocalyx

calicocalyx

Well-Known Member
I'm a fan of Alaskan fish fertilizer, worked great for years in combo with happy frog. Age Old is good for a little more P and K.
 
Bootheel Grower

Bootheel Grower

Active Member
calicocalyx said:
I'm a fan of Alaskan fish fertilizer, worked great for years in combo with happy frog. Age Old is good for a little more P and K.
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I wish I could find someone who carries Happy Frog.. They are a lil more reasonable on their price than Roots.. But Roots is the only thing I've found down here with coco and mychroaize
 
calicocalyx

calicocalyx

Well-Known Member
I'm actually not using the happy frog, trying out other brands and thinking on making my own. Also trying some veg ferts with a more balanced NPK. You probably won't need much to get to the super soil.
 
S

Smokenpassout

Well-Known Member
I order bags of happy frog and ocean forest for around $20 shipped, right off ebay. As for what to feed, I think any grow nurtrient is fine. I like to keep it simple with base nutrients. I like a two part grow then bloom. I have been using advanced nutrients Iguana juice as it is organic, and does not burn easily,
 
hotshotisdashit

hotshotisdashit

Well-Known Member
IMO happy frog is perfect for my seedlings. Its not too strong to burn them but still potent enough to give great growth. The perfect blend. I'm composting a super soil as we speak. I'll start them in HF then transplant within a few weeks. No nutes at all.
 
TwoTokeSmoke

TwoTokeSmoke

Active Member
I like to reuse my old super soil for my seedlings, it is not as hot as it was originally when fresh (before a full grow in it) but still has enough food in it to grow a seedling without the worry of burning it.
 
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