Grow cube question

[the_Hydra]

Hello,

I am using the drip system with 5 gallon buckets that are filled with a mix of perlite/vermiculite in a 2 to 1 ratio (respectively). I have these grow cubes called "Sure To Grow" from HYDROFARM Horticulture Products. I am not sure if anybody has used these, but I am a little confused about how to start. It says to soak the cube, place the seed in the cube, and water it. It then says to cover it with a humidity dome.

So my question is, how long should I wait before I transfer the cubes into my buckets? Should I just put the cubes into the buckets right away and let them germinate in there? Should I let the seeds root a little then place into the buckets? Or should I let the seeds turn to seedlings (stem and some leaves) and then transfer? Thank you.

[TetraHyC]

These ??
Sure to Grow

[the_Hydra]

Yes, exactly. It looks like they give good instructions on the site that makes it a little more clear. Has anybody used these before? Thank you

[TetraHyC]

Alright, you want to soak it to get the pH of the cube correct before planting.
I've never used these but I have used a lot of rockwool.
They look good(cubes) less soggy than RW I think.

Plant your seeds in the little cubes, then when you see roots starting to come out of the bottom, put them in you buckets.

Are you using a small tray ??
When I water my RW cubes(clones) I take them out of the tray, put them on a cookie rack, I water pretty well, get a good amount of run/off,once a day.

The humidity dome keeps things moist, the seed casing gets hard when dry, so the sprout has a hard time shedding it.

[the_Hydra]

Should I have them under light while I am waiting for the roots to break through the bottom? Or keep them in the dark?

I am just starting out, so I don't have anything going yet. I had planned to put them on some kind of tray that had a way to drain off the excess water. Then I was going to place some kind of dome (like a tupperware container or similiar) over them to keep them moist. Sound about right?

[TetraHyC]

Great, doesn't have to be fancy, the plants won't mind.

You don't need light till they break the surface(sprouts), once the bean sprouts keep them under light 24 hours a day.

They need leaves(light) to really get the roots going, the top will come out first.

[the_Hydra]

Cool. Ok, just a few last questions. Should I just water with regular, plain water (that has been set out for a few days) w/o nutrients until it gets it's true leaves?

Also, should the 24 hours of light be just until I plant them into my buckets with medium? And then go by the schedule outlined here:

http://www.greenpassion.org/f20/hydr...schedule-1538/

Does that sound right?

[justanotherbozo]

high bro, High-Dez knows his stuff so he's tellin' you right.

all i can add is to tell you to relax and also to do more of your own research,
we all want to help you but you have to be willing to help yourself too.

anyway, here's a couple pics of some of those starter cubes in action.

note in pic 2 WR #1 is coming up backwards, i didn't think it'd survive.

the last pic, with the lighter is that same plant, it turned out to be very
vigorous.