Seed germination hydroponics: a detailed guide

Recently, gardening has become fashionable, so people began to grow their food. If you would rather not spend money on purchased seedlings, you can germinate the seeds yourself. Read more about hydroponic seed germination technology in this article.

Benefits of seeds over seedlings

Before proceeding to the study of the features of hydroponic seed germination, it should be determined that growing hydroponic plants is quite cheap. At the same time, active hydroponic systems do not take up much space. Seed-bearing plants begin to ripen much faster when compared with normal conditions.

When germinating seeds in hydroponics, you can independently determine the types of plants, as well as varieties. You do not have to buy seedlings in the store.

Germinated hydroponic seeds produce healthier bushes. You can independently control the growing medium.

In stores, seedlings are sold in different quality. And there is no guarantee that you come across high-quality copies. Seedlings for shops are grown in unnatural conditions, where pests and diseases are excluded due to sterility. Therefore, in the future, plants have weakened immunity.

Necessary equipment

If you plan to germinate the seeds in hydroponics, you need to build a quality plant.

Germination growing medium

Several media options are suitable for seed germination.

• Coco coir. This medium option promotes moisture retention, so you have less control over the frequency and intensity of watering. The coco coir is the best option for lovers of resistant and organic materials. A lightweight and porous texture help prevent fungus.
• Mineral wool. This is the best option for a closed launch system and provides good airflow. The cubes are supplied with holes to make planting easier. Mineral wool provides high-quality drainage, which eliminates the possibility of rotting the roots.

Starter plugs

This option requires a lot of space. They are sterile, and you do not need to soak them before use. Plugs must be pH neutral.

Nutrient-free starter plugs have a high pH. Plants absorb everything they need from the environment.

Mesh cups

It is also a very popular and sterile option. Soaking is not required. There are labels on the cups that help determine the planting depth.

Containers

You can also use trays that hold cups. Such structures retain water well. Choose containers that are 4-6 inches deep.

Humidity dome

The part must be placed on a flat surface, maintaining a distance of 12 inches from the container. This promotes proper airflow. Choose a dome that has multiple ventilation holes.

This promotes proper air circulation so that the seeds germinate well.

Between the domes, you also need to adhere to the optimal distance so that they do not touch each other. Otherwise, the seedlings deteriorate.

Heating mat

Such details provide plants with enough moisture. This improves seed germination. Mats are designed to compensate for the cold from the air conditioner.

Lighting

The warm weather plants must be well-lit. Therefore, you need HID Grow Lights. The HID Grow Lights have a large spectral range. HID Grow Lights is the best option if you want to start growing in a vegetative state.

You can use LEDs that save light and have low-heat dissipation. This lighting option is appropriate if you want the plants to bloom. You can use fluorescent lighting, which is affordable.

It is appropriate to use small fluorescent lamps. They are inexpensive and ideal for helping seeds germinate. Additional additives are not required.

Chemical substances

It is necessary to monitor the pH values. To increase or decrease performance, you need to use chemicals. If the performance needs to be increased, add phosphoric or nitric acid. Keep track of the number of items entered. If you exceed the norm, salt will accumulate.

How do grow seeds with mineral wool?

When the necessary elements of the system are ready, you can start germinating the seeds. The germination process naturally and in full is very interesting and engaging.

Preparing the hydroponic seed starting environment

It is significant to choose the right containers. They must be large enough to fit all the necessary mineral wool cubes. You must have enough space for them to seeds sprout. You have to start germination with filtered water.

The pH values must be correct.

You can add some nutrient solution. Check the pH readings using a pH tester. Make sure that the indicators do not fall below 5.5. Otherwise, mineral wool will deteriorate.

Place the cube in a container filled with water. Then leave it for a few hours to absorb moisture. Do not squeeze the cubes strongly so that they do not deform. The cubes retain moisture for several days.

Planting seeds

You can buy ready-made cubes in which holes are made, or you can make them yourself. The depth should be 0.25 inches. Place a few seeds in the hole and push a little. Then close the hole with a small amount of mineral wool.

Cover the container using the upside-down tray. The main thing is that the cubes do not shrink. This promotes a dark environment, which allows the seeds to germinate better. The container must be 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Checking the water level

Checking must be done every day. Seeds do not need to be watered when germination occurs. If the water readings drop, the level can be renewed with filtered water. There is no need to add a nutrient solution now.

If more than one seed germinates in the hole, you should not immediately transplant, pulling out the root system of the seedlings. After all, this negatively affects plant growth rates. After a few days, leaf plates form. After that, you need to choose the smallest shoot, and cut it off at the cube level.

Lighting

You must have a working light source. If you place containers of mineral wool and seeds in an area where there is natural light, then there are no problems with germination. After all, all the necessary plants receive from natural conditions.

However, you need to rotate the trays periodically to keep the plants from leaning to one side. Every day, seedlings should be illuminated by the sun for about three hours. Five hours will have to illuminate it with artificial lamps. Once the seedlings have grown, they need to be lit for about 15 hours a day.

Make sure the plants get enough sunlight. Otherwise, they fall or become weak. Because of this, they may even die. It is allowed to install overhead lights that help solve the problem. Given that they are suspended at the top, the plants do not lean in different directions.

At the same time, plants develop immunity and strength because they constantly receive the necessary amount of light. Periodically, you need to leave the seedlings in the dark. Remember that the lamps must be at a sufficient distance from the tops of the plants so that there is no burn.

As the seedlings grow, you have to raise the lamps. You also have to add more water because, under the influence of lighting, it evaporates.

Transfer

After a few weeks, the seeds germinate, and you can start transplanting them into passive hydroponic systems carry. It is recommended to do this at the moment when the root growth begins to appear through the bottom of the cubes. This indicates that the plants are taking root. If you do not transplant the bushes, then they take root in cubes.

You can leave seedling cubes in the hydroponic system to save enough space. Then cover the entire structure, and water daily for 2-4 days. To many, this seems like an easy job. However, you need to do everything carefully because the plants will be in a state of stress after transplantation.

This is not only due to the pressure that comes with removing the tray. The main cause of stress is the transition to a new environment. Seedlings take some time to recover from stress. The transfer must be done on time. You can remove the cubes after they dry out and are ready for watering.

Causes of death of some seedlings

As you know, not all seedlings tend to survive. This is due to several reasons. This may be due to the temperature difference, so the conditions need to pay special attention.

If you plant plants in a warm environment, then they are inappropriate for a cold one.

If you plant plants that are directed to the cold, then in a warm environment they may die. It is important to pay attention to preparation. To strengthen the immunity of the plant, seeds, and seedlings should be placed in the refrigerator before planting.

Situations should not be allowed when the medium dries up. As you know, the medium dries out between watering. Therefore, plants can die, or slow down in germination. Keep a close eye on humidity levels.

It is impossible that the root growth or cubes are constantly wet. This can cause seed or root rot. As soon as the seeds take root, you need to lightly mist them, rather than pour water. It is necessary to monitor the amount of fertilizer applied. Plants must not be waterlogged.

Fertilizers need to be applied at the moment when the first leaf plates are formed. At the beginning of the life of the bushes, the plants take all the necessary nutrients from the cotyledons. Once the first leaves have formed, it is essential to provide external sources of nutrients.

FAQ

When it comes to germinating seeds in hydroponics, there are many questions to ask. The answers to them, you may read below. If you take into account all the nuances of the considered material, then the growing process will not be a problem for you.

Results

As you can see, it is quite easy to grow seeds in hydroponics. The most important thing is to choose high-quality seeds, as well as build effective hydroponics. Using the information provided, you will get excellent seedlings and will have an excellent harvest in subsequent years. It is important to just start, and you will succeed.

Read More About How To Germinate Seeds For Hydroponics