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Roots coming out bottom of starter cups

What do you do?

These are just solo cups cut to 3". I use them after I germinate seeds for about 5-7 days.
Is it safe to leave the root/s outside of soil and cup below until I wish to transplant later or do I have to transplant now?

Peace

 
Thanks Randy.

I've used the cubes before and had roots coming out everywhere at the bottom, but my partner then always had them in water so they were not dry.
My main concern other then light possible getting to them were them drying out.
 

dansbuds

Retired from the workforce Bullshit
ICMag Donor
Veteran
Put the cups in a tray & bottom feed them till you transplant & leave enough water in the trays to keep the roots that do come out .... wet .I only top feed clones & seedlings till i get roots then they're bottom fed till transplant .... usually a week sometimes 2 .

DSC00760.jpg
 
Keeping the roots immersed in water for a few days won't have any negative effects?
The 4 cups are in a large propagation tray, would it be best to find a tray that is not much bigger then the diameter of the cups they are in? Are we talking standing water or just moist?
 

Tyga

Active member
Veteran
^ Don't transplant yet. All I see is one small root coming out, Ide give it some more time so when you go to transplant they have a solid root structure. Makes transplanting alot less stressful for the plant because everything is held in place from the rootball.
 
R

redeyesurprise

You could add a layer of perlite to the bottom of your tray to keep the roots from staying underwater.
 
S

Sat X RB

IMO the last post is a good idea. otherwise ... standing water, no more than 6mm or 1/4" ... you'll have to check daily.

too many roots and the plants may stress from damage during transplant.

one good thing: yr seedling mix must be very good.

cheers!
 
Hank-I want to transplant when cup are full of roots, I'd only transplant now if it was a do or die thing. So I'm gonna wait.

Tyga-I don't plan to transplant until germinated seed in soil has been in cup for at least 5-7 days. I want that solid root structure more then I am afraid that exposed roots will be damaged.

redeye-If there is any gnats in the area will they be attracted by the water and roots itself or does it take over-watered soil to get em there? I may try this.

Sat X-There is such this as too many roots? Yep, germinated seed has been in soil only about 80 hours so I'm happy. I'm using FF light warrior mix for the first time. Only issue is not over or under-watering as it's definitely different then the regular soil I'm use to.
 

Green lung

Active member
Veteran
and you don't need to put it standing water lol.





. the first roots are always going to come out the bottom and eventually fill out the pot but your far away from that.
 
Green lung lol Love it.

I'm still debating on what to do so they are just sitting there growing. Being I'm going on day 4 since germinated seed in soil and I only plan on going about 7-10 days in these cups I think I may just leave em. Maybe I'll just mist the bottom of the cups when I mist the tops.
 

yerboyblue

Member
Let it go longer, that just seems like probably the tap root going to the bottom before it puts out more roots. If you transplanted now most of the dirt would likely crumble away and tear the root. For future, maybe poke more small holes into the bottom of the cups instead of cutting a few large ones, less chance of young seedling roots finding their way out.
 
I agree and understand it is probably just the main root digging down and out. I definitely will keep these in the cups for 7-10 or more as I wasn't worried about rootbound but just the effects of the roots hanging out the bottoms.
I'm just misting the top and bottoms every 6-8 hours or so. Roots still looking healthy.
Agreed. Smaller holes next time.
 

Green lung

Active member
Veteran
No need to mist the bottoms man.



You're overthinkning this, if the root coming out of the bottom bothers cut it wit some scissors or just leave it alone, or pick it off with your finger aint nothin going to happen.
:plant grow:



.
 

yerboyblue

Member
^I wouldn't pick it off if it's the tap root. Letting it be without misting is probably just as effective. I would mist the tops since they are seedlings until they get a couple sets of leaves. So might as well mist the roots while you are at it, unless you got a bunch going.
 
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