seeds germinated in soil.. now what?

[Frozenguy]

so I planted 15 seeds in dixie cups the other day (72 hours ago). 3 strains, 5 of each.5 of the misty have popped up, 2 of the northern lights and 1 big bud. all nirvana genetics..
my mix is 70-80% FFOF and 20-30% FFLW.. they are basically under a 250watt mh..80ish degrees. the soil was moistened with water with liquid karma and super thrive.. they were planted in the soil not germed in water or anything. now here is the question, do i keep the soil relativly moist? the dixie cups have 4 little holes poked on the bottom for drainage but i havn't attempted to water them enough to drain. should the soil be moist? not sopping but def moist? do i let the soil dry out a little but still stay black?? what kinda conditions do newly planted seedlings like to see? i've never grown from soil, just clones.. i'm not used to babies.. just teenagers

 

[JJScorpio]

I never soak seedlings. I just use a spray bottle and keep the soil around the seedling moist. This seems to allow for better root growth. I start in small peatpots and when the root growth gets full I transplant into a 16 ounce cup.

 

[Frozenguy]

ok, so thats how you water it, but do you keep the soil pretty moist then? you dont let it dry out as much as you would for a flowering plant right?

 

[JJScorpio]

I usually dampen the soil a couple times a day, but I dont let them dry out completely. I just make sure not to have the soil in the base saturated with no root in it

 

[Maj.PotHead]

i liike to water seedlings w/spray bottel i spray untill it starts to drain out bottom, i use 3x3x3inch starter containers and water every other day

 

[Frozenguy]

hmm. ok so i shouldn't be worried about drowning the seedling right? if there is drainage? and i wont water more then if it drains, but i havn't even gotten it to that point yet.. well thanks, that helps

 

[Closet Funk]

Don't let the media get too dry but don't soak it either. I usually use a spray bottle every day and water them every 2 days. I just water them with alittle just to wet the soil again. Whenever the top of the soil gets dry I usually spray them. I'll then lift them up and feel the weight, if light then water if still has alittle weight then leave it until the next day.

I also add a pinch of worm castings to my soil. This gives seedlings alittle N to get started with in case of the plant needing it. This is why some seedlings start to yellow after a week. I've noticed no yellowing except for when it's rootbound, then it's time to transplant.

 

[Frozenguy]

nice. thanks for the help

 

[Guest]

I normally treat my seedlings like vegging plants except instead of water every 4 or 5 days,I normally water every other day.I do saturate the soil then let it run dry like I normally would.

 

[WeedKrazy420]

once i plant my 3 day old seedlings in there pot i water it a few inches around the seedling. then i let it dry out usually 2 or 3 days then I water the whole pot the next time. wait a few days till its dry then water and so forth until day 14 or so I will use a light dose of ferts. I just use the lift the pot method. water your plant lift the pot feel how heavy it is. then lift it in a few days or whatever and when its getting light it prolly needs more water.

 

[Guest]

I know there are a lot of different ways to handle seeds an seedlings, but I keep it real simple. I start my seeds right in 1 qt. soil pots, and keep them moist everyday until germination. Then I water only occasionaly when the pots feel light. The plants need these cycles of wet and dry. Wet all the time has proven very bad.

Get one of those soil moisture meters. Those are great to use if your not sure when to water. They help take the remove the guesswork.

 

[Frozenguy]

hey, quick question. i have them under 1 250watt MH. all 15 seedlings in dixie cups.. they are all 2"-3" with secondary leaves out full. room temp is probably high 80's but that will change (i have all my cooling equipment in my flower rooms).. i am moving my vegging plants to one of my flowering rooms i'm not using. it is about 2ft away i think.. that isn't too far is it? do i need the lights super close to the plants? they wont stretch will they?

 

[WeedKrazy420]

ya don't water all the time. i lost seeds that way. i usually go 2 to 3 days. but if its dry u water it. but if its soaked everyday and never drys it will get root rot.

 

[Frozenguy]

k.. i moved the light closer.. i dont see how a mh couldn't be intense enough for the seedling.. oh well.. thanks guys