Where are my first true leaves.

[DoubleDogFarm]

hydrolifeCA

Now I'm just showing off.





See, in the first picture, how big the cotyledon can get.

Eric

[hydrolifeCA]

Eric you evil evil man. They look beautiful though. Very impressive and very encouraging.

Here is progress on mine ......... they are now a week old. Obviously I am on a MUCH smaller scale than you.

Here is a mess of plants that started (an experiment, they will get thinned and moved over the next week, they are all 6 days old)



Here you can see three leaves on 2 lettuces, is this good for 6 days? Looking good to me.




All these are very close to the light:



Are these looking ok? They look a little eh to me for 6 days?



These two are much farther from the light? Are they not growing fast enough?




[/list]

[Hydroponics]

I have to chime in and say you just need to retry with the rockwool and listen to everything hydro said about it on the first page.

HydroGuy follows the same exact procedure I do it sounds like, and I get the same results: Perfect.

For the rockwool you had you could have used a starter plug to make it more efficient and work out. Another thing to do is just start with small rockwool squares if you are going to germinate your seeds in the rock wool itself.

I personally germinate seeds in a wet paper towel, then when the root sprouts, I plant them into rockwool in a homemade aero cloner(bubbleponics) or I use the float and grow. Honestly, I'll probably never even go back to the float and grow and will continue using the Bubbleponic system because it works so well with rockwool.

Another problem I think you are having is way over watering. The sprouts look like they may be getting so much water that root growth is stunted because the plant is never forced to look for water on its own, it is just being delivered to it in copious amounts which can be a real problem in rockwool because it holds water so well.

The system you have going now, the hybrid system will work if you do it right. I already know it will. I've seen 3 or 4 different hybrid systems that all worked beautifully.

Its all about knowledge and practice. The more systems you try the more you will learn about each component, what works and what doesnt work for each system. I can tell this is one of your first experiences with hydroponics because most people do have the same problems, so defnitely don't feel bad about it, you did the right thing coming here and seeking help, and trying new things.

I'm looking forward to your next grow because I think you will do much better. You will be amazed at how much more you will know next year.

[hydrolifeCA]

Hydroponics thank you for the lovely reply. I also observed what you mentioned. If you look at my last set of pictures, the seperate container where i germinated is going well.

At 7 days I have true leaves and VERY green, roots are WONDERFUL and developed. I watered less.

I had no luck with rockwool though. I LIKE ROCKWOOL and I know it was user error. How do these new lettuces look to you for seven days? Do they look okay? I will transplant these in about another week if they are okay. I will try one in Rockwool too.

Please let me know if these look okay to you ...

Here is a 3 leafer at 7 days, how is she?


Here are some weird plants, I don't know what these are? The seeds got mixed in, they were marked gourmet lettuce but um... I am not sure?



Here is another three leafer (1 real leaf, 2 baby leaves)



Do these look okay?



And these ?

[/list]

[Hydroponics]

They look okay to me. They could be better, but they are doing okay. The medium does look really wet to me. You might be over caring for them. Now that they are sprouted, move the light a little closer if you can, let them dry out for at least 24 hours if not longer.

Then on the next watering, instead of just watering, add nutrients, and do it in the morning. So they will get water and nutrients after a dry day of root growth as the roots search for more water and nutrients.

You will get more compact root balls this way. If the roots are always damp they will not grow for numerous reasons. One is over watering causes the roots to drown or suffocate. They can't perform the proper gas exchange when they are always submerged. I know the roots probably aren't water logged, but I think if the medium stays that damp for the duration of your grow, you will be fighting mold/mildew issues at the end.

[hydrolifeCA]

Hydrponics okay thank you! Okay is better than my last 2 attempts. I think I may get some viable lettuce from this round.

I will follow your instructions. No water for the next day. After it dries, i will give them LIGHT nutrients.

At about 2 weeks I guess I transplant them?

They will go into the same medium but ... just in the system.

The light is almost touching them at this point........

[rainbowgardener]

Your second picture from the top in the recent set, looks like some other seeds got mixed in. The three on the right aren't lettuce. Looks like probably basil, though a little early to be sure.

[hydrolifeCA]

Rainbow gardener hehe yep, I was asking what maybe they were. I am in Central America and stuff is done wacky here, the lady who sells me the seeds runs the only hydroponic and seed export. I guess they got mixed but I am not worried.

If it's BASIL that would be awesome. Wish I could find some parsely.

My other half (who is native to C.A.) says that the long grass like plant is RICE?! If thats the case, it won't be growing in my hydroponics system haha. I am just happy to have some successful (so far) lettuce's going.