What You Need
The first time you start your own seeds for your hydroponic
system may be a bit more expensive at the beginning because
you need to buy more materials than in future years. Seeds need
water, light, oxygen, and heat to grow. You really don’t need
anything too special to grow your own seeds.
You can use a grow tray with a dome for your own miniature
greenhouse to create an ideal environment. If you’ll be growing
your seeds in an area that is cooler, you may want to invest in a
heating mat that goes underneath the grow tray to keep it warm
as this is a necessary condition for sprouting to occur. Light is
good to have as well, as this will help your seeds sprout.
Inside of your grow tray, it can be beneficial to use a pot that
works for your seeds and their future as seedlings in your
hydroponic setup. You’ll want to use starter cubes, such as
stonewool or rockwool. The key here is to use something that
can withstand being immersed in water without dissolving, as it
could clog up your system after transplanting.
Step by Step Instructions on Sprouting
The first thing that you’ll want to do is to soak your starter
cubes in clean water for about an hour. After they’ve been given
a chance to soak, put a few seeds into the cube’s hole. You’ll
want to add several just in case you have some seeds that don’t
germinate. Once they sprout, you can thin out the weaker plants
to allow the strongest to grow.
Prepare your grow tray with about an inch of clean water
or nutrient solution that is at half strength. Arrange the light
source and heating mat as needed. You can keep the lid on
to keep the heat and moisture in the tray.
Put these planted cubes into the grow tray and add water
or the half strength nutrient solution as the level goes down
in the grow tray. After about four days, you’ll start to see
some sprouts emerging.
Some people prefer to use a ziploc bag, rather than a grow tray,
when trying to get the seeds to germinate as it functions like a
greenhouse. Seal the bag with a little bit of air and put it in a dark
place for about four days to get the seeds sprouted. Then, you can
put the starter cubes with sprouted seeds into the grow tray.
Step by Step Instructions on Transplanting
Keep your tiny seedlings growing strong with your hydroponic
nutrient solution. Once they’ve gotten bigger, you don’t have to
make the nutrient solution half strength.
You’ll start to see the seedlings’ roots coming out of the bottom
of the cube, and this is the sign you’ve been waiting for, as it
means you can start transplanting. This can take about two to
four weeks depending on what plants you’re growing.
Clear up a spot in your hydroponic system’s growing media for
the seedling, cube and all. Gently transfer the starter cube into
your growing media, and cover it gently.
Give the root system a chance to naturally seek out the water
and nutrients in your system by top watering it for a few days to
give it a chance to grow the root system.
Voila! You grew your own seedlings into a strong plant for your
hydroponic system. Depending on the type of plant, you’ll be
able to get your first harvest about four to eight weeks from the
time you transplanted your seedlings.
“
You really don’t need anything too
special to grow your own seeds.”
Cut the dependency of only being able to grow the types of plants
that are available as seedlings at your favorite gardening store.
Take a little extra time to nurture your seeds so that they become
strong seedlings ready to transplant into your system. You’ll be
able to take pride in your efforts with how healthy your plants are
and your overall system’s health.
grow cycle
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