by RightFit Gardens |
Last Updated: October 14, 2021 Check whether the plants are roughly 3 inches tall and have at least one set of genuine leaves before you begin. These traits are the best indicators that the seedlings can be transplanted into a hydroponic system or chamber. But why is seedling transplantation in a hydroponic system so time-sensitive?
Transplant shock is the most serious risk associated with incorrect timing. Even when undertaking a greenhouse to outdoor garden transplant, keep in mind that plants are susceptible to this ailment. As a result, when transplanting from soil to a soil-less medium like coco coir, you should assume the same risk.
The good news is that beginning plants in the greenhouse already aid in the development of vigorous transplant crops. The only thing you need to learn is hydroponic gardening and how to avoid transplant shock when switching from soil to a soilless media.
When should seedlings be transplanted to a hydroponic system?
When seedlings are roughly 3 inches tall and have two or more sets of true leaves growing on their stem, it’s time to transplant them to a hydroponic system. You won’t have to worry about transplant complications later. However, you must consider the plant you’re growing, the location where you started the seeds, and how long you intend to care for seedlings. Waiting until they are close to the flowering stage or transplanting them when they are just germinating reduces the plants’ chance of survival.
Seeds should be started indoors in a greenhouse until they have reached the seedling stage. Seeds are relatively affordable to start in the greenhouse, and you can certain that they will germinate properly because you can tailor the circumstances to their needs. Because you’re moving to a hydroponic garden, the seeds you’ve grown inside should be able to handle the smooth transition if everything is planned and timed correctly. They will become accustomed to light intensity and be able to withstand outdoor temperatures in this manner.
Physical Characteristics
While the presence of leaves is one of the characteristics to check for when transplanting seedlings to hydroponics, you must also ensure that they are true sets. The first leaves you see are frequently not real leaves. When the plant is roughly 3 to 6 inches tall, this is another good clue to examine before transplanting. Your seedlings will not thrive if you do not have adequate root and leaf growth before moving them.
Another blunder to avoid is transferring seedlings when they are near to blossoming or have just germinated. This reduces their chances of survival, and their growth will be slowed as a result of the protracted transplant recovery time.
Starting Container Size
Did you know that the size of the container or starter plug has an impact on the time it takes to transplant? Gardeners occasionally use a small starting container, such as an egg carton, which results in crowded seedlings. You will need to transplant sooner in the hydroponic system in this situation.
It’s worth noting, though, that the seedlings should have formed adequate roots before being transplanted. Otherwise, you run the danger of slowing your hydroponic plants’ growth. Keep in mind the previous two concerns, and keep an eye on the seedlings to ensure they are ready and not drying out.
Transplanting Seedlings Into A Hydroponic System
You can transplant your seedlings onto a hydroponic system once you’ve verified their physical characteristics and determined that they are too big in their starting container. There are numerous ways to accomplish this, but it can be boiled down to preparation and transfer.
Preparation
Begin by preparing a pail of clean, room-temperature water. Slide the seedling out of the container gently, making sure you keep the root ball and clumps of soil. Carefully loosen the soil mass and roots, dip the roots into the water, and avoid letting the stem touch the clean water.
To rinse the additional soil from the roots, slowly slide your palm through the water. Remove the larger clumps of dirt from the root mass once again. If more removal will damage root fibers, it’s fine if some potting soil remains.
Transferring
The next step is transferring the seedlings to your hydroponic system. You want to spread the plant roots over a hydroponic netted pot with one-third of the soilless medium. Add more medium around the roots and stem until the seedling is in place. Maintain the reservoir’s water level at the same level as when it began, even if it requires adding fresh water every day or two.
Do note that there are different soilless culture systems for the hydroponic growth of mature plants. Therefore, there might be some additional preparation and steps necessary. Generally, you just want to remove dirt as much as possible before transferring without damaging the roots.
The plants roots should also spread out well, and the healthy plant should stand steadily in its new container. Don’t forget to add water to the reservoir and a mix of nutrients in the water.
Conclusion
Gone are the days when growing plants necessitated the use of soil. If you want to grow hydroponic plants, you need to know when the transplanting process for hydroponic cultivation is appropriate to avoid problems. The good news is that timing is simple, and all that hydroponic growers need to do is check for physical characteristics.
Hydroponic seedlings should be 3 to 6 inches tall and have one or two sets of genuine leaves. To guarantee that they live and propagate, avoid transplanting them when they have just germinated or are near to blossoming. After that, make sure to prepare the seedlings and assist them in settling into their new container with hydroponic nutrients.
