How I start spring seeds

[@qpl88]

I might give this method a go. Once they've germinated and have their first true leaves, do you pull them from and remove the coco perlite mix to place them into the dutch buckets or do you put them in with the coco and perlite mix into clay balls?

[@Brianshydroheaven]

@@qpl88 I grow the plants in this media until the plants have three true leaves, then transplant them into the hydroponic systems without taking the media off. I don’t wash the media off the new seedlings as I don’t want to damage the tiny roots. Once the plants are in the hydroponic systems I give them a little water each day for three days until they are established. This prevents transplant shock.

[@qpl88]

@@Brianshydroheaven thanks for confirming. Do you get any issues with the media making it back into the reservoir and affecting the pump at all?

[@Brianshydroheaven]

@ no, the soil plugs mostly stay together for the life of each crop. Some might migrate into the pipes and sit in the bottom of the pipes or into the reservoir, but no issues. Dust and fine material will blow into the reservoir anyway, occasionally I’ll service the pump between crops, take out the impeller and check intakes etc.