sponges

should i poke a hole all the way threw the sponge, and should i wet it before i plant the seed

thanks

I poke a hole straight down with a chop stick. I don't water the sponge prior to putting the seed in. That's how it works for me

I completely agree w/ Junnk on the chopstick thing...it probably took my roots an extra 2-3 days to reach the water without the hole. I did put my sponge in distill water and then squeezed it out before I put the germinated seed in, but I've heard it work done both ways.

Justin121. I use the thin bamboo bar-b-cue skewers you can find at the 99 cents store. I've fond that chop sticks are pretty thick and make too big a hole. Get one growing sideways and you'll see what I mean. I generally try to go by what Cervantes says, "Poke a hole the size, diameter, of the seed and stick it in there pointy end down about as deep below the surface as the seed is tall." I hope I didn't misquote him and I haven't had a problem yet.

If you have to use the sponge I would say for sure. I used those sponges for germing once and the taproot couldnt penetrat (hehe penetrate). It worked fine with my clones though. I would just say use Rapid Rooter cut to size. Rockwool would probably work too but be careful because rockwool can hold a shit ton of water. Also make sure nothing is popping up above the cover thing otherwise it wild mold.

I started using these:

http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/6565

when I got an Aerogarden Spacesaver 6 to add to my grow space with an Aerogarden Pro.

Just drop the germinated seed (I use the wet paper towel method) into the Aerogarden of your choice. With these, you can use the regular Aerogarden sponge holders, because it acts like a wick system, it's long enough to touch the water and draws the water into the sponge.

They work better than the Aerogarden sponges AND you don't have to buy different size sponge holders. I've used these the last 2 grows and have no complaints.

hell yeah. Precut rapid rooter for a pretty decent price. Nice find +rep.

Assassinofyouth420: I feel your pain. You can minimize the mold problem with rock wool cubes and Rapid Rooter plugs in an A/G by covering them with an A/G label over the planting medium or buying a two inch white plastic net cage cover from your local hydroponics store. I've used both and they work well.

If you buy the A/G grow pods in bulk they figure out to about seventeen cents a piece where the Rapid Rooter plugs are about forty cents a piece. I know you can cut down the Rapid Rooter plugs to fit in the A/G but I think A/G's plugs work better. It's like trying to use Chrysler parts on a Ford.