germination question

I'm using the paper towel method then transplanting to root riot organic starter cubes. How long should the tap root be before I plant it and is it true I plant the seed tap root facing up?n

why extra work? just start in the RR cubes...

steve1214 said:

I'm using the paper towel method then transplanting to root riot organic starter cubes. How long should the tap root be before I plant it and is it true I plant the seed tap root facing up?n

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Same here I just put my seeds into the medium they will be spending their childhood in. So small coir pellets, rockwool cubes etc.... i have a small jiffy greenhouse, $3.00 @ Home Depot, and I put the rockwool, coir or peat pellet in their and then water and put the lid on and put it on top of my T5's. It keeps the heat up and usually by day 2 I have cotyledons open. Just make sure the top of your light doesn't get to hot, 75 to 85 is about right.

steve1214 said:

I'm using the paper towel method then transplanting to root riot organic starter cubes. How long should the tap root be before I plant it and is it true I plant the seed tap root facing up?n

Click to expand...

tap root down is what i do. dont force it and dont break it.

No need to wait for the tap root to grow. I would put it in now, less potential damages handling it.

I always just put the seed straight in the rapid rooters, don't need the paper towel method. As long you keep the RR moist, it will germ without any help.

Thx for the replies.... This one seed bank reccomends tap root up....hmmm....opinions?

steve1214 said:

Thx for the replies.... This one seed bank reccomends tap root up....hmmm....opinions?

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Post above says down.

Greenhouse seeds says down also: http://www.greenhouseseeds.nl/shop/germination-instructions.html
"Point the tip of the root downwards."

I germinate straight in rapid rooters, so I never had the problem.

svsuv said:

Post above says down.

Greenhouse seeds says down also: http://www.greenhouseseeds.nl/shop/germination-instructions.html
"Point the tip of the root downwards."

I germinate straight in rapid rooters, so I never had the problem.

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Ok cool. I'll just germinate straight in the rr. Pointy side down right?

if it cracks, plant it. don't wait for tap root. i soak til they sink, and plant them

steve1214 said:

Ok cool. I'll just germinate straight in the rr. Pointy side down right?

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Never worried about how it goes in. I just drop in the seed in. It always pops up.

Since you already have the seed with the tap root, then I think the tap root is pointed down.

Id say itd be fruitless to put a seedling in any medium with the taproot up... Why would anyone even suggest that, let alone a seed company?

when putting directly into rapid rooter without waiting for germination, is it best to keep lights off till it peaks out?

JHock08 said:

when putting directly into rapid rooter without waiting for germination, is it best to keep lights off till it peaks out?

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Doesn't really mater - regular room daylight works.

I always keep my lights on no matter how I start seeds, whether I just put them in a perlite/peat mix, or if I germ them out and then plant the taproots into my medium... I'd say on... 24/0 is ok for the first couple weeks of seedling growth, but u will want that 18/6 for some down time so young root systems have time to catch up with the plant...

Dude, start them in dirt. MG organic seeding soil has never ever failed me with any seeds and I have also used the MG potting soil to start hard seeds of many different plants. The paper towel and soaking and stuff is for very hard beans with history of hard germination. Cannabis seeds germinate beautifully in potting soil or seeding soil and it is a very forgiving plant. If you are having problems despite all this, then I suggest you use a little bit of worm casting in your germination medium and or add compost that has worm casting in it. Worm casting is fantastic and has never failed me in germination of exotic plant seeds. Good luck to you.