Step 1
Determine the cell count or pot size you would like to start with
50 cell
72 cell
128 cell
Or start in 3-6 inch pots
Note: The larger the pot size, the more lenient with watering and transplanting schedules
Step 2
Create Inert Mix and Soil combo
Start with 80% of a germinating mixture: (ex.)
- HP pro mix with Mycorrhizae Peat with coco perlite or
- Coco core
Add NO MORE than 20% soil: (ex)
- Top Soil
- Native soil
- Potting Soil
Mix thoroughly and begin to fill pots or cell trays.
Note: It is not recommended to use majority soil during seedling stage because the nutrients can be too rich for the seedling to absorb, causing stress and reduced germination.
Step 3
Water Prep
Fill water reservoir with:
- Filtered water
- Or if using tap, oxygenate water and let stand for 24 hours to remove chlorine
- PH adjust water to 5.8-6.2
- Add Superthrive at 1/3 recommended strength per 5 gallons
- Add a Mycorrhizae inoculant (ex. Great White) at a rate of 1 tsp per 5 gallons water
- Add a rhizotonic (ex. House and Garden Roots Gold) at 1/2 tsp per 5 gallons
Add treated water to your pots or cell trays until saturated and moist. In addition, make sure pots and trays are able to drain well!
Note: Ratios are approximate and it's always better to use less than more with sensitive seedlings. Do NOT add any synthetic or base nutrients for at least 10 days post germination.
After 10 days, if plants are growing and leaves are staring to yellow:
- Add synthetic nutrients at 1/10 strength or less
- Add base nutrients at 1/8 strength or less
Only use nutrients as needed!!!
Step 4
Planting Seeds- Eye to the Sky!
- After watering the pots/trays, poke holes in the media with your finger at a depth of 1/2 inch
- Soak seeds for 15-30 mins in a cup of the treated water.
- Carefully plant seeds in holes and try to orient the seed with point down and eye up. Gently cover seed in hole and surround with media.
Note: Soak seeds at MAX 30 min otherwise seeds will drown!
Step 5
Keeping your sprouts healthy
- Temperatures should ideally stay between70-85 degrees with very little fluctuation
- Introducing a constant heat source below 85 degrees will increase germination speed
- Temperature drops below 50 or above 95 will slow germination significantly and reduce overall success
Keep moist but never soggy, use well-draining trays and never allow to sit in standing water. Roots need oxygen and can easily drown and become necrotic.
Also NEVER allow cells to dry completely, as the seedlings grow, they will require more frequent watering, depending on pot size, plants size, and temp
- Seeds should sprout in 2-10 days and should be transplanted at 2-4 weeks post germination.
- Protect trays vigilantly from rodents, birds, insects, and pathogens.
- Provide abundant fresh air flow.
Introducing beneficial bacteria in the form of compost tea to your field during and after transplant is also recommended. Transplant to a moist field, also well-draining and never soggy or dry. Allow 1-2 weeks of adjustment and root development before seeing vigorous upward growth.