alkhall 2019

alkhall · Feb 25, 2019

It was longer than usual, but I am trying out these Rapid-Rooter plugs for the first time.

With coir plugs, I was seeing first hooks in about a week.

Anyway, three more today; two BLS and one WHP006.

Only 13 weeks until plant out.

PaulG · Feb 26, 2019

Looking forward to seeing how the RR plugs work for you.

CaneDog · Feb 26, 2019

I am too. Soak and "soil" is the norm for me, but I'm interested in working more with the RR's, especially for longer germination varieties. Will be interested in how they perform for you and how you like working with them. Glad they're starting to pop for you. Always a good time when you're seeing new arrivals daily.

PaulG · Feb 26, 2019

alkhall said:
Only 13 weeks until plant out.

Some people's seasons aren't that long!

"Only" sounds so optimistic. I'm thinking
"It's still 13 weeks to plant-out"

Glad to see things going for you, Al.

alkhall · Mar 3, 2019

The Rapid Rooter plugs are not working too well; 10 of 25 have germinated in three weeks. Normally, I would expect at least ¾ of the seeds to have germinated.

I am going to restart the ones the have not sprouted in my old standby coir plugs.

EDIT:

I should have said that I am going to start new seeds of the same varieties in coir plugs. All except the Butch T CPR, of which I have none.

PaulG · Mar 3, 2019

Sorry to hear about the poor germination with the rapid rooter
plugs. Any thoughts on what the problem might be with them?

alkhall · Mar 4, 2019

PaulG said:
Sorry to hear about the poor germination with the rapid rooter
plugs. Any thoughts on what the problem might be with them?

No idea.

I have always had success when using them for cloning.

PaulG · Mar 4, 2019

alkhall said:
No idea.

I have always had success when using them for cloning.

Maybe I'll 'root' around online
and see what others say.

alkhall · Mar 8, 2019

A little update; I see two hooks in the coir plugs today, a Red Primo and an Ecuadoran Hot Lemon Cayenne. Five days to germinate.

The Rapid Rooter plugs have not had any further hooks, it will be one month tomorrow, only ten of twenty-five plugs have germinated.

My conclusion is that while Rapid Rooters may be great for cloning, they are not very effective for seed starting.

Ruid · Mar 8, 2019

alkhall said:
Leviathan Gnarly Scorpion

I saw the review posted about this pod and am very hopeful that I can buy some of these from some of you later this year.

alkhall · Mar 8, 2019

Ruid said:
I saw the review posted about this pod and am very hopeful that I can buy some of these from some of you later this year.

I bought my seeds here, not sure if they sell pods.

CaneDog · Mar 8, 2019

alkhall said:
A little update; I see two hooks in the coir plugs today, a Red Primo and an Ecuadoran Hot Lemon Cayenne. Five days to germinate.

The Rapid Rooter plugs have not had any further hooks, it will be one month tomorrow, only ten of twenty-five plugs have germinated.

My conclusion is that while Rapid Rooters may be great for cloning, they are not very effective for seed starting.

This is really interesting feedback. I know that a good number of people use these exclusively for longer term germinations because of what is supposed to be really good holding of air/water balance - which makes sense for cuttings as well. Really disappointing to hear how poorly they did for you and for your time lost. Glad you're seeing hooks now - and 5 days isn't waiting long at all!

alkhall · Mar 24, 2019

A month since first sprouts, time for an update.

The Rapid Rooter plugs were pretty much a bust, and I had to restart with coir plugs which have done much better, but are not entirely successful either.

Anyway here are the more mature plants, ~ 1 month old.

Best looking plants (there are two in the pot) my BLS cross.

A BBMX showing that just maybe the effects of light intensity and different wavelength combination does have some effect on the side branching. None of the plants are, or will be, topped.

PaulG · Mar 24, 2019

What do you think the problem with
the Rapid Rooters was, Al?

Have you tried RockWool? After hit and
miss with Jiffy Pellets I switched to them
this season. So far, so good.

The plants that did make it look great.

:cheers:

Better times ahead, my friend!

alkhall · Mar 24, 2019

PaulG said:
What do you think the problem with
the Rapid Rooters was, Al?

Have you tried RockWool? After hit and
miss with Jiffy Pellets I switched to them
this season. So far, so good.

The plants that did make it look great.

Better times ahead, my friend!

I really have no idea. I ripped open the plugs that failed to germinate and found that although the seeds were swollen, they also had turned black.

I dumped them out today, a month and a half is long enough to wait.

I have not tried rockwool, I will give that try next year.

The ones that did make are looking pretty good, but I am not sure if that is because of the Rapid Rooters, or in spite of them.

alkhall · Apr 6, 2019

Two weeks since last update, some new pics.

Older plants are doing well:

Second round coming along:

(The tomatoes are Super Sauce)

Ecuadoran Hot Lemon Cayenne is getting tall (this is the plant in the upper left from the March 24 pic)

Brown Large Scorpion Cross:

Two overwintered plants (I forgot to label them, but I believe they are Red Primo):

Seven weeks until plant-out.

Thanks for looking.

PaulG · Apr 7, 2019

Nice, healthy specimens there, Al!

The Brown Scorpion Cross is a beast!

Walchit · Apr 8, 2019

That light is kicking ass!

How many plants are you putting out this year?

alkhall · Apr 8, 2019

PaulG said:
Nice, healthy specimens there, Al!

The Brown Scorpion Cross is a beast!

Thanks Paul.

The ones that did germinate are doing quite well.

alkhall · Apr 8, 2019

Walchit said:
That light is kicking ass!

How many plants are you putting out this year?

It does seem to be doing the trick.

I was planning on 25, but several did not germinate, including the ScotchBrain and the Gnarly Chocolate Bhut.

I will still have at least 20.