Wanting to grow outdoors in hot and humid Virginia, but due to a failed first grow after a direct sow into a garden bed outside earlier this summer, I am starting a new batch in my windowsill to give them a head start before I put them outside. I had this idea I have yet to see in any diaries or discussions and I'd love people's input on it!
The concept goes like this:
1. Seeds start in a standard peat pellet. Give the seed a light medium to begin its root development, allowing the roots to grow fast with little resistance. This also keeps the new seed nicely and evenly moist.
2. Have that peat pellet buried into a seed starter medium. In this case I am using Coast of Maine seed starter mix. After the roots break the peat pellet, they are met with this slightly harder, but still light medium where they are introduced to organic nutrients, mycorrhizae, the whole shebang. This prepares them for soil later down the road. I'll only water this outer ring of seed starter to encourage roots to spread out.
3. All of this will be inside a manure-based cowpot. After the first couple weeks when I'm in full veg and there's good root development, I can transplant into 3 gallon fabric pots with Coast of Maine Stonington Growers Mix. Ideally this avoids any transplant shock for the baby autos. I'll cut slits in the sides and remove the bottom of the cowpot to allow the roots to grow unimpeded. Cowpots should quickly decompose and provide good food for the soil. After the first couple weeks, the pots should be pretty mushy before they even touch soil.
So here's the actual grow:
Dropped seeds in 6.2 pH water for 5 hours and given complete darkness and warmth until seeds sank. I've tried the method of leaving the seed in water until the taproot pops out but my seeds rarely succeed the plant into soil. The quick soak ensures saturation, but also completely avoids drowning or taproot shock. They were sowed into peat pellets soaked at 6.2 pH, which was then buried in a manure based cowpot with Coast of Maine Seed Starter. It was watered fully, covered in plastic wrap and sat in southeast facing window. Planted both at night, one seed emerged in less than 36 hours, second followed shortly after. Stoked on such a quick and healthy germ.
Good luck with your grow I hope you get the best taste of buds and healthy plants! Take care and stay lit! I will drop by sometimes to check on your process! Say hello if you ever visit my page!
Peace & Love - L.S.T ๐๐ผ๐