So it’s been roughly a month and a half since I planted the peppers (the tomatoes have only been planted for 2 weeks) and hints of roots are just starting to show on the bottoms of the cubes. You have to pick up the cubes and turn them upside down to see them but they are there.
Around this time I like to move the plants into a temporary “propagator” tub. Basically this is the same simple DWC concept (aerated water with nutrients feeding the plants) but more tightly spaced and with very few nutrients so you dont burn the seedlings.
Using a propagator tub allows me to start a stupid number of plants without having to have all of the full sized planter running. The plants will be happy in the propagator for a month or so.
I usually start with one quarter strength nutrients. I also use LED shop lights a few inches off of the plants (running 24×7) and a bubbler to keep the water aerated and well mixed. If my space was warmer I’d probably run the lights on a timer running 18 on and 6 off to save energy but since it’s cold I like the lights providing just a little heat.
The cubes should touch the water but they shouldn’t be submerged.
