Watering seedlings

[Ovibird]

So I'm sure this has been asked a bunch already. And I did search previous threads for answers but didn't find what I was lookin for. So I have a few seedlings in solo cups. Bout a week since they first popped. I'm not sure how much water to give them at this stage. I've read so much about people over watering that I feel like I'm under watering at this point. At this stage with such small seedlings am I still suppose to water till it drains from the bottom of the cup?? That seems like so much to me for such little guys. Any advice would help.

 

[MightyMike530]

What I do, is a few days after planting I will water the cup so that there is some runoff, doesn't have to be a ton, just make sure the soil gets saturated. Once its fully drained feel the weight of the cup, then use that weight to gauge when you next need to water i.e the cup feels light then its time to water.

 

[mmmmbrownies]

What I do, is a few days after planting I will water the cup so that there is some runoff, doesn't have to be a ton, just make sure the soil gets saturated. Once its fully drained feel the weight of the cup, then use that weight to gauge when you next need to water i.e the cup feels light then its time to water.

couldn't have said it better
but i'd like to add\stress.... make sure you let her go pretty dry before watering again you want those roots to spread out and over watering is probably the number one issue i see out here

 

[oilmaker68]

I normally water around the edge only to force the roots to search out the moisture. Works well for me. Little seedlings don't need lots of water. Also don't spray them with water. You want the roots to search for water not the leaves

 

[Ovibird]

Ok that sounds good.. One more ?? Right now I have them sittin under 2 t5 lights. At what point would you move them to bigger lights. I have 1000w hps. But that just seems overkill for now. But the t5's seem so dim. I think once I get past the seedling stage I'll be ok. Plenty of good info on everything else..

 

[mmmmbrownies]

keep the t5 as close as you can and idk give it till you have 2 full sets of leaves (probably a week or 2) no sense wasting the power
when you do switch don't put the light too close 1k is a lot of light and heat (depending on the area you are working with)
be ready to trans plant in a week or 2 i would pick their final home if you can solo cups do not last long
happy growing

 

[vostok]

Your concern is well justified too wet you rick fungi attack, so leave them damp ...use a pint sprayer to dampen the medium, many uses later for the pint hand sprayer ..lol

 

[FrozenChozen]

dampen seedlings, don't water....

 

[oilmaker68]

A Little water around the edges. Keep the leaves dry. Trust me they fill the pot after a few days with roots. Just wait till it's dried right out before you water again If you want I'll put a video in YouTube. It's really simple just let it dry out Don't do this before you get your first real leaves though