Often people try to grow seedlings on their own so that in the future there is an opportunity to save money. You can start seeds hydroponically. With its help from seeds, you can get excellent seedlings. Read more about how to start seeds for a hydroponic system in this article.
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Benefits of seeds over store-bought seedlings
Before proceeding to the study of the question, of how to start seeds for a hydroponic system, you should study the advantages of seeds.
If you run hydroponic plants, it will come out a little cheaper. At the same time, you can save space, because you can quickly get seedlings.
You have the opportunity to choose the variety and type of seed starting, based on the characteristics of the space.
And you do not have to buy store seedlings. With the help of starting seeds, you can get healthy plants.
An important plus is a control over the environment in which the seedlings will be grown. The seedlings that are sold in the store are of dubious quality.
Often, such seedlings are grown in unnatural conditions, where diseases and pests are completely excluded due to sterility.
What to prepare for growing seeds in hydroponics?
If you are planning to grow seeds hydroponically, there are a few important things to prepare.
Initial environment for the hydroponic seed starting
You must plant seeds and use several nutrient solution. All of them are suitable for growing seeds. More details about the best growing medium for seed starting will be discussed below.
- Coconut coir. This material helps retain moisture. Therefore, you do not have to constantly monitor the quality of watering. Coconut coir will be the best option for organic lovers. The material is light in weight and highly porous. Therefore, fungi practically do not develop, and you do not have to use chemicals.
- Mineral wool. This is the best option if a closed starting seeds system is expected with good airflow around the root system. Holes are initially made on cotton wool into which plants can be transplanted. At the same time, the material provides good drainage, which eliminates the accumulation of moisture, as well as root rot.
- Starter forks. Such options are small in size. Such cubes are quite sterile, and they do not have to be soaked before use. For hydroponics, try to use starter forks that have a neutral or high pH.If there are no nutrients in the starter plugs, the pH will be high. This is because plants will absorb more nutrients during the plant growth process. This is the best storage solution for starting seeds if you plan on repotting them quickly in the future. At the same time, the plugs dry out slowly.
- Special mesh cups. This option for seed starting is also in demand. Seeds grown hydroponically will be sterile. You don’t have to pre-soak them. There are labels on the cups that facilitate planting depth.
- Special container. If you plan to grow a lot of seeds at once, look for trays that will fit individual cups. They holds moisture. Choose containers that are 4-6 inches deep. This will give you the best result.
Humidity dome
This tool is needed for growing seeds in hydroponics. You need to put it at a distance of 12 inches from the container.
The surface must be even. This will provide optimal airflow. Choose a dome that has multiple ventilation holes on each side.
This will improve results. The air will circulate better, so the seeds will develop properly.
Enough space must be left between the domes so that they do not contact each other and do not overlap each other. Otherwise, the seedlings will be damaged, because they will not have enough air.
Heating mat
These options help provide enough warmth and moisture when the seeds begin to germinate.
At the same time, you have the opportunity to get healthy young seedlings. The mats will compensate for the heat from the split system in winter. The top of the plants will be heated.
Lighting for growth
As you know, for the seeds to germinate well indoors, they need to provide enough lighting.
You can choose one of the popular systems, namely:
- HID Grow Lights. Such options emit a rather intense discharge. The lamp has a large spectral range and is ideal for growing plants. This is the best option if you germinate hydroponic seeds that are in the vegetative state;
- LED lighting. The light saves energy and give off a minimal amount of heat when compared to other lighting systems. It makes sense to use LEDs if it is required that a young plant begin to bloom;
- fluorescent lighting. This is a pretty budget option. However, it is less effective when compared with previous options. After all, the intensity of light in the blue range is quite insignificant;
- compact fluorescent lamps. They are budget priced. They can emit light in red and green light. This is the best option at the beginning of growing seeds because additional additives will not be required.
pH Control Substances
It is very important to constantly monitor the pH. This allows you to monitor the indicators of nutritional components.
If the seeds are in an environment where the pH is high, then acid will have to be applied. It can be phosphorus or nitrogen. The amount should be negligible, purely for pH balance.
Remember that you should not use a lot of chemical components. After all, this will contribute to the accumulation of salts.
Keep track of what exactly needs to be contributed, and in what quantity. Doses must not be exceeded.
How growing plants with mineral wool?
If you are planning to grow seeds hydroponically, there are a few important steps to follow. More about them will be discussed below.
Preparing the starting environment
You need to find a container first. Pay attention to its size. Choose larger containers to fit mineral wool. If there is a lot of water inside, the seeds will germinate worse.
The seeds should be at the top so that the water only soaks into the cubes. Air must circulate at the top.
Water can be filtered or tap water. When the container is filled with water, a pH test should be carried out.
You can add a nutrient solution at this stage. The indicators should be adjusted so that the pH is about 5.5-6. Otherwise, the mineral wool will be damaged.
Starter cubes with water should be placed in a container and left for 1-1.5 hours. With the help of mineral wool cubes, you can maintain optimal levels of humidity and air.
If you squeeze them, the cubes will lose their shape. Water should be added as needed.
If you previously soaked mineral wool in pH-balanced water, it is not necessary to add water. It is enough to keep the material in an airtight container.
Planting seeds
Mineral wool must be chosen with holes, or you can make them yourself. Holes should be ¼ inch. Place a few seeds inside the hole. Then stick them in so they don’t fall out. Put some more mineral wool on top to cover the seeds.
After you need to cover the container. You can use a regular tray. You need to put it across, without pressing on the cubes.
This will create optimal conditions for germinating seeds. The temperature of the container containing the seeds should be 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, an additional heating mat can be used.
Checking the water level
Checking should be done daily. As long as hydroponic germination process continues, no watering will be required. To maintain humidity, you need to use the water that remained in the reserve after the first stage. It is not necessary to add nutrients.
When germinating seeds, more than one seeds sprout will likely form. Do not pull out the root growth, so as not to damage other shoots. After a few days, several leaves will form. After you need to choose a weak shoot and cut it off over mineral wool.
Influence of light
It is important to provide plants with the right lighting. It is best to leave the containers under natural light so that the own seeds germinate better. Periodically, the containers will need to be turned over so that the plants are simultaneously illuminated. Bushes should be covered 3-4 hours a day under the sun.
Additional light sources should be set for 5 hours a day. Fluorescent lamps will be relevant. When the seedlings grow up, you need to cover them for 15 hours a day. Difficulties may arise due to the lack of natural light. After all, because of this, the plants will weaken and fall.
Therefore, overhead lights can be used to solve the problem. They will help provide up to 15 hours of light. You need to put them at the top so that the bushes do not lean, and grow up. At the same time, the seedlings will be strong and healthy if they receive enough light. Periodically, seedlings should be left in the dark to work out the quota.
Plants should not be placed too close to overhead lighting. Otherwise, they will get burned. The intensity of growth should raise the growth lamps. As they grow, you can increase the frequency or intensity of watering so that the bushes are healthier. Especially if the lamps give a lot of heat.
Transplant features
In a few weeks, you may notice the seeds germinate. After they can be transplanted into a hydroponic system. To reduce the waiting time, you should check the bottom of the starting cubes, and carry out a transplant. This should be done when root growth has formed and penetrated through the bottom.
This suggests that the plants will take root in the mineral wool cubes. To free up space in hydroponics, you should put a cube with bushes in the growing medium. Then cover and top the water for a few days.
To many, this process seems simple. However, during the transplantation process, the plants may be under stress. This is due to the pressure when removing from the tray, as well as the transition to new conditions. To cope with stress, the plant will take some time.
The transfer must be timely. It’s best to do this when the cubes have dried out a bit and you’re planning on watering.
Why don’t all bushes survive?
You need to understand that not all plants will be able to survive. This is due to various reasons, and not all of them are easily explained. It is important to pay attention to differences in temperature. If you keep the containers in cool or warm conditions and do not change the environment, then the plants will experience sudden temperature changes.
It is important to pay attention to other factors, including:
- Prepare everything you need for landing. This must be done before you get the seeds.
- Keep an eye on humidity. If the seeds dry out between waterings, they may die. To save water, you can put an upside-down tray on top of the seed container.
- Do not over-moisten the cubes, because the seeds can rot.
- Keep track of your top dressing. You should not overdo it with nutrients. Fertilizers can be applied when the first pair of true leaves are formed on the seedlings.
FAQ
When growing seeds in hydroponics, people often face numerous questions. The answers about planting in the hydroponic systems are presented below.
1. Can u start seeds directly in hydroponics?
2. Do I need to soak seeds before planting in hydroponics?
3. How do you germinate seeds for hydroponics without Rockwool cubes?
Results
As you can see, growing seeds in hydroponics are quite simple. The main thing is to choose the right nutrient-growing medium and regulate the humidity. You should also focus on lighting, temperature, and fertilizing for your hydroponic systems. So you get excellent and tasty fruits grown with your own hands at home.
Read also: How to lower temperature in grow tent: top 9 methods
