Germination transition to planting

[Lido]

I pretty much got a kick reading posts where people had germination and transplanting issues. I have lost a few over the years but overall thought the people having issues were just careless or had no gardening experience. I recently got my hands on some genetics I had wanted for sometime. I had found rapid rooters just easiest and for me reliable. I have planted 3 so far, all sprouted but after moving to soil 1 is in shock barely growing and the other two kind of rotted right at the base where the stock meets the soil and just faded away. I’m trying the paper towel method now out of desperation. With these genes not being the easiest to replace, I’m now that unconfident one

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

@LidoWelcome to AFN. What you experienced with the rapid rooters is called damping off. You kept the rapid rooters too wet or you left your humidity domes on too long. I hate the paper towel method. I use rock wool starter cubes but it is easy to over water them also. I keep an un-planted cube that I wet the same as the seeded cubes. Then I can just heft it to be sure when it is time to fertigate the others without disturbing any with roots.

 

[Lido]

I had heard the term but and though I had seen this before didn’t know what it was. Very much appreciate the help.

 

[Simplicio]

I pretty much got a kick reading posts where people had germination and transplanting issues. I have lost a few over the years but overall thought the people having issues were just careless or had no gardening experience. I recently got my hands on some genetics I had wanted for sometime. I had found rapid rooters just easiest and for me reliable. I have planted 3 so far, all sprouted but after moving to soil 1 is in shock barely growing and the other two kind of rotted right at the base where the stock meets the soil and just faded away. I’m trying the paper towel method now out of desperation. With these genes not being the easiest to replace, I’m now that unconfident one

I'm trying something new, and so far it's my favorite method.
Planting seeds in RRs or Rockwool runs the risk of dud seeds never sprouting, and wasting time.
Paper towel method eliminates dud seeds, but requires a separate step.

So here's what I'm trying:
1. Soak in a roughly 6 inch x 6 inch piece of paper towel folded over several times.
2. When tap root shows, transfer seed + tap root to a cut-open RapidRooter. Seed can be placed upright about 1/8-1/4 inch deep.
3. Close RR back up, add dried RR shavings to fill hole, and rest wet paper towel against RR to supply moisture.
4. When sprouts break "ground" put them under gentle light until they get upright.
5. Transfer into hydroton + netpots, then into hydro. Getting the fluid level so that it keep RRs the right amount of wetness takes some practice.

 

[Cannagus]

I had heard the term but and though I had seen this before didn’t know what it was. Very much appreciate the help.

Same for me. I have had my struggles getting started and also posted about it so it could be that I was one of those supplying you with jollies as I flail about, lol that's ok I'm sure things will turn around for you. They did for me. My first attempt at growing in many years, I understand there will be setbacks etc. but I also understand that ultimately I will prevail because I know too many ppl who are doing it successfully that are no smarter than I am, although one or two might be a bit more lucky.

Some of my beans began popping, early this week I had an auto and 2 photos come up. Yesterday another auto. Last night as I read this thread I thought well hell I've got to get in there and pull the bags off my cups if that's what this damping off is all about. That was when I discovered the newest auto and then this morning rewarded with another photo. I won't be dunking any more beans for a while, just going to stay patient and do what I can to coax the ones I have into coming up. A friend is going to supply me some starts too so I'm going to have my hands full and hopefully down the road a few jars full as well. Good times.

 

[Lido]

Woke up to seed with a nice little tail started. I was gifted a bag of Recipe 420. I had asked about a soil that might retain moisture a little better. I started using bags outside last year and even the eight gallon dried out quickly. Anyone tried this stuff. Seems to have all the essentials except no perlite. Does have pumice but I don’t see it. Been a fan of Soil King Big Roots for a little more than a year. The price kind of blew up and I was told they can’t keep it in stock. Thanks