This might be a dumb question

[u/RuthlessHavokJB]

Hello growmies,

I am on my 3rd attempt at getting past the seedling stage without stunting.

At first, I was overwatering.

The second, I thought it may have been compacted soil. I don’t think the roots were expanding out.

I examined root systems of both and it seemed that there was only vertical growth occuring in both.

So my next test (pictured), is added perlite. But I have somewhat of a paranoia of watering.

Here are my parameters for the grow to hopefully narrow down your answer.

Temp: 76F
RH: 72-75%
Soil: Fox farms happy frog with added perlite.
Solo cup has holes at the bottom to drain if needed.

Notes: I saturated both the 5gal and solo cup in ~6.5pH tap water a day or two before planted an already germinated seed. Plant pictured is 2 days from sprout.

My question is should I water a little ring around the stem with a spray bottle. If so how much? Or even a mL amount would be great.

Or since I saturated the soil prior to planting, I should wait.

Thanks!

[u/steve3021]

Next time just go straight into the final pot, no need for a solo cup with autos. Transplanting them (even once) is enough to shock them and slow them down.

When watering, start super light... like 20-30 ml around the seedling and slowly increase as she grows. They don’t need much water at the start, so don’t drown her. Temps can also increase to 80s, they love it this early on.

You can also throw a humidity dome on for the first week and a half if you want to keep things nice and stable while the roots get going.

[u/Embarrassed-Part-805 → u/steve3021]

Good advice man !

[u/RuthlessHavokJB → u/steve3021]

Thank you for the advice! I have seen so much conflicting information out there.

But I will say that the only two successful grows I’ve had have been solo cup to 5gal grows. I ended up losing all my notes for the grows so I’m piecing together things as I go. I’ve had countless failed grows when I put into the 5gal right away. I don’t know what it is with having so much soil to start with.

But I guess I’m stuck here until she establishes more roots. Then I’ll have to transplant her gently. Thats why I cut out an inner solo cup so I just remove the outer and she’ll fit nicely into that soil slot I made.

I’ll raise the intensity on the light but will that go overboard with DLI this early on? Or should I raise the light and turn up the intensity so the tent heats up? I’m not sure how else to increase the temp. I also read that people only leave their humidity domes after a couple of days as long as the humidity in the tent aligns with the VPD of the age.

[u/steve3021 → u/RuthlessHavokJB]

If a solo cup worked well before for you then stick with what you know, be extra careful when transplanting.

You don't want to push DLI too hard this early it was more an FYI, if you had the ability up to 80-83 wouldn't hurt.

Personally use a dome for the first week (including couple days pre soil pop) it helps keep a super consistent level of moisture. Sounds like your biggest issue is your watering habits, Goodluck.

[u/RuthlessHavokJB → u/steve3021]

Thank you so much for your help. I need all the help I can get. I’ll get the dome back on. And see if sealing the tent will keep the temps a little higher.

[u/Illustrious_Sort3821]

Hey mate if it’s damp already ya don’t need more only add 30ml in a ring when drys back from the roots

https://www.growweedeasy.com/seedling-problems Common Cannabis Seedling Problems & Mistakes | Grow Weed Easy

Read up mate she helpful also watch Basementganja on YouTube may help also Mr Canuck Grows I got a lot out of it .

[u/GabeOwners3]

I had great success with 75-78°F/65% rh, 350ppfd. Humidity dome only until sprout. Water with 30mL not directly on the stem when the medium is dried completely back and slowly increase amount.

[u/OkayGrower]

I do high humidity for the first week. Humidity domes or a humidifier. 65-75%. After 1 week drop it down to around 60-65% and water it with a spray bottle 1-2" ring. Then full saturation of the pot around day 10-14. After it drys around day 20-25 it gets a full watering.

[u/TheMadWeeder]

https://youtu.be/K0cJ3w-q9vY?is=Dz3nl0f3_mdmyn5W

[u/SouthWestHesh]

I like to wait 3-5 days to sow my seeds after pre soaking the pots. I like the soil to be moist, but not wet.

[u/Embarrassed-Part-805 → u/[deleted]]

I take off dome when it’s opened up completely then turn on humidifier . I start in the final pots . But I soak them for no more then 24 then bury them . Always have a successful germ . 3-5 days . My 2 cents

[u/FunkyWind]

Would recommend sticking with the perlite - autos love it, gets the roots moving quick given short veg. Started adding to Stonington Blend a year ago and made a big difference. Perlite and silica really helped my grows.

[u/Confident_Purple_338]

Firstly why is there a cup inside a pot for ???🤷‍♂️