Hydroponic Question and Help Please

[HeyThere]

This is Paris island lettuce and I am trying to do hydro with an and b solution.

My others are doing amazing but for some reason these Paris island lettuce are 6 days in and only 1 of 18 spots has sprouted.

Rest look liked the attached image. Is this mold or something else? Discard and restart? Thank you kindly.

Edit: spelling

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

@daveb oh master hydrophonics, what knowledge might thee bear

(Also, check out his posts - he knows about a lot of things. I love his hydrophonics update most )

 

[HeyThere]

Hehe thanks. To be honest I don’t think they’re doing too well. By now I should have seen seeds popping up. May discard and retry something else.

Still interested in finding out!

 

[Mandy Onderwater]

That's pretty quick sprouting - only 6 days! For me seeds have been taking longer than usual of late. But to be fair, I garden in pots.
I'm sure @daveb can give some advice when he's back online

 

[daveb]

Ok first off when i start lettuces i dont the fertilzer solution to start the seeds. those starter cubes look like aerogrow style starters. first i unpack and the whole cup with the core i drop into room temperature water to soak so that it is fully submerges if you have to use a bowl with a saucer over then it is fine . I dont time how long those being pre-seeded probably 30 minutes will do.

you can start the aerogrow without the a / b fertilizer in it and just use it to hold the plugs and pots for now and place the small lid on the top so they dont dry out. the soaking will add enough water to the cube to insure sprouting and worst case a minor watering if your air is exceptopnally dry. After the seeds start you have a preset dose of solution to add to water i would measure half the dose so if it says add 40ML of A and 40 ML B add only 20ML let the seedlings get up to 2nd or 3rd leaf set then add the balance

Dont place in direct sun infact a bright but not direct sun is perfectly fine, 65 - 70 would be a good average temperature to sprout at, if those cubes do not sprout look close at top you will probably find fine lines that look like white hairs on of just under surface from mold of rotted seed, if they have sat in less then ideal areas where too hot or for extended amout time the seeds viability may be very poor.

If it has been 5 or more days and no sprouts or if you see fine tendlars like hair in the crown or material of cube then discard and get new batch. you can buy the refills cheap on amazon for those cups and put your on seeds in. while in amazon at top search for this seed supplier - ( ohio heirloom seeds ) . I have had the best luck and consistency from them for seeds and at some of the best prices, also search ( aerogrow seed pods kits ) to get a selection of choices with or without seeds and i would suggest look and some of my post about masterblend fetilizer and the blend i use and if you have a small gram scale for kitchen use you can mix your own far cheaper then from aerogrow.

On final note the pods that the seeds did not sprout some Paris island lettuce does not start very well if poorly handles from supplie. take those pods remove the plus from the plastic cup you can do one of two things buy new fillers and seeds ( cheaper then the aero supplied complete cup with seed ), remove the center plug and drop the plastic holders in a half and half solution of water and hydrogen peroxide mix submerse fully weight down and soak overnight. insert ne centerplug , with a chopstick or tooth pick open a small hole in top insert a couple seeds , pick the surface around the hole to push material over top of seeds and start again


Edit note :
I did forget one factor on lettuce the seed need to be visible in the rooting media , the poking i do with skewer is to bring just enough of the fibers over the top to hold the seed in place and not bury it anymore then an max 1/8 deep
Reason i mention not to place in direct sun most people homes are realtively warm, places a seed starter on direct sun especially if cover with lod to hold moisture in will steam and over heat seeds and seedlings to point it bakes them

 

[daveb]

That's pretty quick sprouting - only 6 days! For me seeds have been taking longer than usual of late. But to be fair, I garden in pots.
I'm sure @daveb can give some advice when he's back online

depends of viability and age of seeds some will show pushing up breaking surface or sprouting in 3 days, many plant seeds too deep so they see what they think is long germination times. my suggestion is not to plant the seed more then 2 to 3 times it size and other just pressed into surfacefor the small tiny seeds because they require light along with the ground moisture and warmth to germinate. hence the reason on seed packs saying depth to plant seeds

1 a few seed that need light to germinate planted in a depth varying from pressed into surface or 1/8 inch ( rosemary up to 1/4 inch deep )
Lettuce , Celery, Dill, Rosemary, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Oregano

2 seed that need to be planted deep so no light many of these will need planting deptch of 1/2 to 1 inch deep a few 1/4 to 1/2 deep

Asparagus, Artichoke, Basil, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi,
Carrots, Coriander, Cilantro, Chives, Cucumber, Eggplant, Mint, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Peanuts, Pepper,
Radish, Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkin, Sweet corn, Tomato

 

[aronhoustongy]

depends of viability and age of seeds some will show pushing up breaking surface or sprouting in 3 days, many plant seeds too deep so they see what they think is long germination times. my suggestion is not to plant the seed more then 2 to 3 times it size and other just pressed into surfacefor the small tiny seeds because they require light along with the ground moisture and warmth to germinate. hence the reason on seed packs saying depth to plant seeds

1 a few seed that need light to germinate planted in a depth varying from pressed into surface or 1/8 inch ( rosemary up to 1/4 inch deep )
Lettuce , Celery, Dill, Rosemary, Thyme, Lemon Balm, Oregano

2 seed that need to be planted deep so no light many of these will need planting deptch of 1/2 to 1 inch deep a few 1/4 to 1/2 deep

Asparagus, Artichoke, Basil, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi,
Carrots, Coriander, Cilantro, Chives, Cucumber, Eggplant, Mint, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Peanuts, Pepper,
Radish, Watermelon, Squash, Pumpkin, Sweet corn, Tomato hair salon san francisco

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