hydroponicsPlants that have been started and raised in soil can be transplanted to a hydroponics system if the roots are carefully rinsed of all soil and organic material. The rationale for the careful cleaning is to prevent the introduction of pests and disease from the garden where the plants were initially grown.By starting your plants from seed, you have the most control over the early development of your hydroponics crop. As a general rule, seeds are free of pests and disease. If you start your seeds in a hydroponic system, there is no transplant stress and minimal chance of disease. Most seeds need moisture and warm temperatures to germinate, which can also be provided by hydroponic systems.

Direct seeding into the hydroponic garden is a common method of propagation. Direct seeding does very well in perlite, rockwool or any other growing medium that is fine enough not to loose the seed in. It is essential to thoroughly dampen your hydroponic growing medium before to seeding.

Once seeded the hydroponic growing medium will need to be flushed out on a regular basis to keep it damp. You can initially use water for germination, right up to the point that the seed coat cracks open and the root is exposed. At this point you have a seedling which will need water, hydroponic nutrients, light and warmth. If your system is located indoors or shaded from the sun, hydroponic grow lights are needed to supplement.  You will also need to flush your growing medium depending on the type of medium choosen. If you are using perlite or rockwool, it will probably need to be flushed every 2 or 3 hours.

Maintaining the correct temperature is important for high quality seed germination. Some hydroponic growers will start their seeds in an incubator, propagation table or similar device to maintain the ideal temperature throughout the germination process. If proper temperatures are not maintained, germination will be delayed or may not happen at all. If you are using an incubator or propagation table, you can seed directly into the hydroponic growing medium.

When you plant seed for your hydroponic garden, you should over seed by about 25-50%. Once the hydroponic seeds have developed into seedlings, you can select the strongest plants and keep them. The weaker plants can be removed by pinching the plant off at the base. Pulling the plant out could disturb the roots of the plants that you plan on keeping.

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