Hydroponic propagation is the process of starting seeds for hydroponics by using a medium other than soil. This article will provide you with a complete guide to hydroponic propagation for seed starting, including the necessary equipment, steps to follow, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Buying pre-grown seedlings/saplings is a good option for beginners. But in the long run, learning to start with your own batch of seeds is the best option.
Today, we will examine why this is so, and also look at all the processes involved.
The Advantages of Starting Seeds over Buying Seedlings
The main reason to germinate your own seeds instead of buying seedlings is the potential cost savings. By skipping the intermediate step of seedling development, you can save money on purchasing seeds and other materials required for germination.
Additionally, you have more control over the growing conditions when starting from seed, making it a more rewarding experience for those who enjoy the process of fostering a healthy garden.
Essential Equipment for Germinating Seeds for Hydroponics
There are several ways to go about starting seeds for hydroponics, but the best way to ensure a successful and healthy crop is to provide the seeds with the right conditions from the start.
In this article, we will guide you through the essential equipment you will need to get started.
1. Sunlight/ Grow Lights
Light is essential for starting seeds in hydroponics. Light is required to stimulate proper growth and progress.
Inadequate light can result in sluggish germination or even failure to sprout, leading to low yields. After the seeds that you have sown have sprouted expose them immediately to sunlight or LED lights. Do this right after seeds have cracked or the cotyledons start to show up.
Let's give your seedlings introduction to sunlight: Start by placing them in a protected area with dappled sunlight for 3-5 hours a day for the first few days (Days 1-3). They're like little sunbathers who need to ease into it!
Over the next couple of days (Days 4-5), gradually move them to a spot with slightly more sun, about 5-6 hours each day. Think of it as them getting a healthy tan.
By days 6 and 7, they should be ready for full sun (6+ hours)! By now, they'll be strong and ready to soak up all those sun rays. If you're using grow lights, expose them to light for 6-8 hours per day right after the seeds have sprouted.
Grow lights are available in various types such as fluorescent, LED, and high-pressure sodium, and should be selected based on the size and type of plants being grown. Moreover, the light type and intensity needed may differ according to the growth stage. It's important to position the light at the correct height to ensure optimal growth.
Store Links for Grow Lights:
Aliexpress>>>
2. pH Meter
A pH meter holds significant importance in hydroponics by enabling the monitoring of the pH levels within your nutrient solution, which is vital for the health and growth of your plants.
This device measures the acidity or alkalinity of the solution, typically on a scale from 0 to 14, where lower pH values signify higher acidity and higher pH values denote increased alkalinity.
Your grow medium and water's ph level should sit at 5.5 to 6.5 for optimal growth. Your pH level acts as a master switch, controlling how readily plants can access the essential nutrients they need to thrive. This includes the major nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), which are crucial for plant growth, reproduction, and defense against disease.
Additionally, pH influences the availability of other important elements like calcium (Ca) and boron (B). When the soil pH falls within a favorable range, typically between slightly acidic (around 6.0) and slightly alkaline (around 7.5), these vital nutrients are held in forms that plant roots can easily absorb.
However, if the pH becomes too acidic or alkaline, these nutrients can become locked away or even toxic to the plants. In essence, maintaining the right pH level creates an optimal environment for plant roots to take up the building blocks they need for healthy and productive growth.
Where to buy pH meters:
3. ph Adjusters
Use ph adjusters to raise or lower the ph levels of your seedlings grow medium
Where to buy pH adjusters
Shopee>>>
4. Growing Medium
Selection of a growing medium depends on the type of plant, the pH of irrigation water, cost, shelf life of the product, the type of system that is being used and a grower’s personal preference.
A grower should look for specific qualities in choosing media. Soilless media must provide oxygen, water, nutrients and support the plant roots just as soil does. Here are a few examples of growing mediums we use in our hydroponics farm.
Rockwool
One of the key benefits of using rockwool in hydroponics is its capacity to retain water and nutrients without becoming excessively waterlogged.
This helps to prevent root rot and other issues associated with overly damp soil. Moreover, rockwool possesses high porosity, which enhances its capability to absorb water and nutrients from the hydroponic solution, thereby fostering robust plant growth.
Store Links for Rockwool:
Aliexpress>>>
Shopee>>>
Cocopeat
Coco peat is a renewable media. It is extracted from the husk of coconuts. What used to be a waste product just a couple of decades ago is now one of the thrust areas for export for the Coir Board of India.
High porosity, high water holding capacity and high cation exchange capacity together mean that the quantity of coco peat required per plant can be very less allowing nutrients to be absorbed and released to the plants according to their needs. Coco peat has excellent properties that make it a very forgiving hydroponic (soilless) medium.
Dry coco peat is very hydrophilic and quickly absorbs water making it easy to use. Unlike inorganic medium such as perlite, vermiculite or rockwool, coco peat can be compressed to one fifth or less of its volume reducing transportation, storage and handling costs.
Store Links for Cocopeat:
Shopee>>>
Comparison between the cost, lifespan and pH level of various hydroponics mediums.
Grow media | Cost | Lifespan | pH |
Rockwool | Medium | Renewable | Basic |
Coco Peat | Low/Medium | Renewable | Neutral |
Peat Moss | Medium | Renewable | Acidic |
Rice hulls | Low | Short | Neutral/Acidic |
Sawdust | Low | Short | Acidic |
Horticultural foam | Low | Short | Neutral |
5. Humidity Dome
Humidity domes help maintain high humidity levels around the plants, which is essential for their overall health and progress.
By fostering elevated humidity, these domes mitigate the risk of mold and fungi formation, ensuring the plants remain hydrated and vigorous.
The domes can also help to prevent the plants from drying out, particularly if the hydroponic system is located in a dry or hot environment. Moreover, humidity domes contribute to temperature regulation, creating a warm and humid microclimate ideal for plant growth.
Where to buy humidity domes:
6. Heating Pad (Optional)
Do you always need a heating mat in the seed-starting process? You don’t, but there are plenty of times when having the extra warmth will help get those seeds sprouted.
As a general rule, anytime you need to boost grow medium temperatures to support germinating seeds is a good time to use heat mats. If your ambient room temperature is 70-75 degrees already, you probably don’t need one, but if it’s colder, you might consider it! For instance, if you are starting seeds in a basement or garage, a heating mat is going to help a great deal with maintaining the grow medium temperature. While the ambient temperature in these spaces is warmer than the outside temperature in winter per se, it may still be too cold for seed germination.
Where to buy Heating Pads:
7. Seeds
Getting quality seeds can lead to higher germination rates, healthier seedlings, a wider range of plant varieties, better plant growth and development, and better value for money, making it a wise investment for your hydroponic system.
Tip: Don’t buy too many seeds at the outset. Early season offers can tempt you to buy too many packets that will never get sown.
This is just false economy. You are better off buying less than you need and acquiring other as the season progresses. There are plenty of seed suppliers and retailers; shortages during the growing season are rare, especially as there are so many varieties to choose from.
Store Links:
How to Start Seedlings in Hydroponics
This guide will walk you through the essential steps for successfully starting your plants from seeds in a hydroponic system.
Choosing the Right Seeds and Supplies
Pick Winning Varieties: Not all plants thrive in hydroponics. Opt for seeds specifically bred for hydroponic systems. Refer to resources like our "Hydroponic Performer" list for recommendations.
Select Your Seeding Medium: Decide between using flats filled with soilless potting mix, germination plugs, or another suitable medium.
Preparing for Seed Germination
Moisten Your Medium: Ensure the medium is thoroughly and evenly hydrated before sowing the seeds.
Planting the Seeds: Follow the specific instructions for each seed variety regarding planting depth and spacing.
Maintain Seed Moisture: To retain moisture during germination, cover the seeds with a thin layer of vermiculite or a humidity dome. Remember to remove the dome once seedlings emerge to prevent overheating.
Watering Wisely: Keep the seeds moist during germination. Use a gentle watering method like hand watering or a mister. Avoid using full-strength hydroponic nutrients at this stage, as the high salt content can hinder seed water uptake and root growth.
Temperature Matters: Maintain the optimal temperature range for germination, adjusting temperatures as needed. Consider using a heat mat to achieve consistent germination conditions.
Nurturing Seedlings
Nutrient Time: Once seedlings appear, provide them with a diluted hydroponic nutrient solution according to the product instructions.
Light Up Their Lives: Certain seed crops require light for germination. Lighting needs after germination will vary depending on the plant, your setup, and the environment.
Transplanting: Seedlings are typically ready for transplanting when they have developed true leaves. In hydroponics, plants can generally be spaced closer together compared to soil-based growing due to reduced competition for nutrients.
Monitoring Your Hydroponic System
For optimal plant growth, it's crucial to monitor key environmental factors within your hydroponic system. Here's a quick reference on what to watch for:
Temperature: Ensure the temperature stays within the ideal range for your chosen crop throughout its lifecycle. Once established, plants need an approximately 10°F (12°C) drop between daytime and nighttime temperatures to grow properly. For example, an ideal temperature range for many crops is 75°F (24°C) in the daytime and 60–65°F (16–18°C) at night. Most crops (other than tropical varieties) cannot efficiently photosynthesize at temperatures exceeding 85–90°F (29–32°C).
pH Level: The pH of the nutrient solution significantly affects nutrient uptake by plants. Aim for a pH range of 5.8-6.2 (slightly higher for organic and aquaponic systems). Regularly monitor and adjust the pH as needed.
Light Levels: Provide sufficient light for proper plant growth. Measure light intensity using a light meter and consider supplementing natural light if needed. The light color can also influence plant development; leafy greens benefit from more blue light, while flowering plants prefer red light. Most vegetables need 14 hours of sunlight per day and at least 12 mol per m2 per day. Strawberries grown hydroponically prefer 15–25 mols of DLI with a minimum of 12, measured at the canopy level, in the greenhouse. Plants in greenhouses typically experience a 25%–50% reduction in DLI below that of outdoor levels due to glazing and shading from the structure. Depending upon the crop and a host of variables that influence natural light levels, supplemental lighting may thus be needed at certain times of the year or year-round.
Nutrients: Use a pre-mixed hydroponic solution and monitor its concentration with an EC meter. As plants absorb nutrients, the EC level will drop. Add more solution or replace it entirely when necessary. Organic fertilizers can be used but require more monitoring due to their variable composition.
Water Quality: Test your water source to understand how it might impact plant growth. Consider using a nutrient solution formulated for hard water if necessary. Avoid water treated with softening chemicals.
Air Circulation and Oxygen Levels: Proper air circulation helps prevent diseases, regulates temperature, and ensures adequate CO2 levels for photosynthesis. Good air circulation also promotes stronger stems in seedlings. Oxygen is vital for root health. Choose a growing medium that allows for good aeration and consider using an air pump to oxygenate the nutrient solution, especially in warmer temperatures.
By following these steps and monitoring your hydroponic system, you'll be well on your way to successfully starting your seeds and cultivating flourishing plants!
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