How to Start Seeds for Hydroponics

In this video I'll be showing you how to germinate and start your seeds in a hydroponics set up. No need for a heating mat or humidity dome, we are going to do this with regular household items. I believe this to be one of the cheapest, easiest ways to start seeds for hydroponics and get healthy young plants growing. I'll be germinating pepper seeds in this example, but these methods will work for the vast majority of plants.
----------------------- Product Links -------------------------
------------ Hydroponic Necessities: ------------
Grodan A-OK Starter Cubes 1.5inch - bit.ly/GRoDAN
CZ heavy duty wide rim Net Cups 2inch - bit.ly/netCUPS
Clay Pebbles (any brand) - bit.ly/clayPEBBLEs
Programmable Outlets - bit.ly/outletTIMER
PH & TDS Meters - bit.ly/PHtds
------------ Hydroponic Nutrients: ------------
I grew these plants with Future Harvest nutrients - using micro / grow / bloom and additives. bit.ly/futureharvest - Use coupon code "JIMMYBHARVESTS10" for 10% off your orders!
I've also used Advanced Nutrients micro/grow/bloom on the channel
bit.ly/advancedNUTRIENTS
------------ LED Grow Lights: ------------
I use both of these lights:
Mars Hydro TSW2000 - bit.ly/marsTSW2000
Viparspectra P1000 - bit.ly/viparspectraP1000
------------- Video Equipment: ------------------
iPhone XS / iPhone 12
Amazon Basics Tripod - bit.ly/TRIPoD
Phone Mount - bit.ly/phoneMount
Moza mini-S Gimble - bit.ly/myGIMBLE
Yongnuo Light - bit.ly/videoLIGHT
HyperX Quadcast Mic - bit.ly/hyperxQUAD
Please note that I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites/people to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon properties, including but not limited to amazon.com.
#germinating #hydroponics #seeds #peppers #grow

[@TonyVsEarth]

Hey man this is where my brain was going. Glad to see I've cube trays work. Thanks for the cutting Rockwell tip

[@Engineering_Science]

That ice cube tray with holes with rock wool on top of a container is a smart implementation, never seen anything like it.

[@hazaqames477]

Really good video. What I did to get the temp around 80F (when I keep my house at 70F while home and 65F at night) was to put a headless small-form-factor computer underneath my container. The heat generated by the computer keeps the temp where it needs to be for germination.

[@beautifulabstractions755]

One of the best videos I've seen on starting seeds. Thank you.

[@psykco]

What I love about this channel is that, you experiment so that we don't have to!! Thanks mate!!! 😁

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Love to hear it - thanks for the support! If we learn together it'll all go faster!

[@drrezdc]

The best video on hydroponics I've seen. 6love the time-laps video.

[@topquark35]

What I find much easier is start the seeds in damp paper towels inside a container. Then you can transfer the germinated seeds to the small rockwool cubes by cutting a slit. That way you are sure all seeds placed placed in rockwoll have germinated and this will avoid more waste. I have a question though. How do you avoid algae? I find if I keep the rockwool moist constantly, algae will form on them after a couple of days.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Shouldnt be much/any algae showing up unless youve got nutrients in your water? Maybe filter your water or use distilled?

[@patambre902]

Try keeping them in the dark. Algae need light for food.

[@Breakcaft]

if your water is exposed to light alge will grow inside yoir container and deplet the oxygen for your plant. try to prevent light from getting to the water. Most commonly it is because your net cup isnt sealed off from light getting into the container (a cut up pool noodle could help for example you can). Try preventing transparent containers, since they promote alge groth.

[@user-nu9ry4rs2i]

Not rockwool but foam is what people use nowadays

[@dandana4647]

@@user-nu9ry4rs2iI am using coton balls …it works wonderful ..

[@ericjudd9088]

New Subscriber - Thanks for solving my dilemma Jimmy! You make it common sense and easy to follow. Thanks for sharing! I started a couple of weeks before Christmas and found many KZbinrs were confusing the issue even though they meant well. I've currently got some tiny tomatoes that popped out this week and about 17 more flowers to drop. I've been using the soaked paper method to start my seeds but have had great difficulty getting them transferred to the hydroponics. I learned from you that I wasn't waiting long enough (about 7-10 days) for them to grow larger but at the same time they were getting "leggy"! As a medium, I've switched to cotton balls and will be planting on the cotton balls in ice cube trays tomorrow. I find the cotton balls wick up the water as well or better than rockwool and they are MUCH cheaper. I've been using my ice cube trays for about two months now. You're absolutely right about using larger holes in the tray compartments. Once again, thanks for sharing! I look forward to seeing more of your videos!😃🛶

[@RF0rty]

You just gave me all the information i needed to my issues. Im ready to try again :D Thanks!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Thanks so much, R- super appreciate this! Best of luck with your next attempts!

[@Worldwidegiantgrowers]

Thank you for the basic info. Looking forward to growing some veggies in the basement this winter I appreciate you.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

❤️ good luck!

[@harry1355]

Excellent video on starting seeds. Explained very well. Thanks so much!!!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

🙏🙏

[@AbiGJ]

Thanks so much for this. Very informative and complete infos. I'm really struggling with germination. Your channel helped me since it has a lot of content about it. Thank you so much.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Thanks for the kind words! Thrilled to hear you found value in the content!

[@kaucumaraarts9735]

Awesome presentation bro thank you

[@ewaserpas6697]

Thank you for this video. This was very helpful. I’ve been failing at this part. Hopefully this will help me out.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Good luck 🤞🤙

[@MattGarver]

Clever trick, I like the floating ice cube tray idea.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Thanks as always for the support, Matt!! 🙏🙏

[@MrRenoman2011]

Thanks Jimmy great video

[@megalepivolos]

you make everything look so easy congrats my friend excellent video

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Thanks V always appreciate your support of the channel!

[@jd83241]

i used to do a small one gallon tub using an air stone and the large rockwool cubes and i would germinate the seeds in the large rockwool already in place over the water and by the time the tap root hit the water it was ready for food. real easy way to do it. you could even make several smaller holes in your lid and do the small rockwool cubes. i usually had the cubes about an inch from the water until they sprout, giving them time to grow some leaves before they hit the grow water.

[@dstone219ify]

This video was GREAT 🗣

[@loganlentz]

Such a great video. Thank you!!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

🙏🙏🤙

[@CaptainPupu]

Thanks for the tips. Ive been gardening for a decade, grew up on a farm in Europe. I live in nyc now, in a small apartment. Recently i thought about growing my own lettuce in a hydroponics system since 1 lettuce these days is 5$ and it's not even that fresh plus 10000 people touched it at that point...... I stayed away from hydropponics so far because of this very reason: i didnt see sense in a system that's whole point is to get rid of soil - when in reality it needs soil for thr seedlings to develop to a certain size before moving them to the water. But with this method.... It should be very easy indeed and cost effective. I calculated and the electricity is cost 3$/month and if you only grow 3 half size lettuce per month u already win but theres lot more space there so its really good. Additionally, i would soak the seeds first before " planting" them on those sponges for faster germination. Maybe even add 0.25 gram of ibul3butyric acid ( rooting powder) to the water for faster root development and therefore faster growth. Anyways, thanks for the video mate. Cheers.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

best of luck growing! you can use cotton balls instead of rockwool to make this process much cheaper as well

[@Alooyys]

Great video !👍🌿

[@JimmyBHarvests]

🙏🙏

[@robertharris507]

great ideas thanks

[@JimmyBHarvests]

🤙🙏🙏

[@theresacrozier3886]

Great video ! Thank you!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

🙏🙏

[@klearz914]

ive been doing kratky for about 6 months. i learned alot here. i was putting full nutrients from the start. had no issues with lettuce and peppers but did have a cilantro die. so when i start new things i'll start in water! and then diluted nutrients. thanks!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Lettuce and peppers dont seem to mind early feeding, ive seen that as well. But the fee plants dont outgrow the unfed plants in those early weeks. Might as well save the food.

[@i-a-g-r-e-e-----f-----jo--b]

I put my seeds in the sun on day one, lol. Glad I watched your video after that didn't work. Thanks for the info, I'll be subscribing!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Best of luck with your next attempt!

[@conniewlliams4382]

You’re the best!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

😊🙏🤙

[@JoseandAsh]

Cool beans ill head to Dollar store today for these lol!

[@determinedtiara4484]

Really Appreciate it!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

🙏😁

[@Genxlettuce]

CZ net cups by far are my favorite of all in the industry. Personal preference , however they are built well and fit nicely into my drill holes better than the thinner options . I like using the neoprene discs and slicing them in half thickness. Amazing what a half thickness collar will still support. I went as far as just using perlite suspended in water and placed the seeds on top of the perlite. It worked well on all my lettuce germination experiments . ( about an inch floating surface worth ) it supported them too with that thickness. Like you, 😂 always fascinated with maximizing germination - great video 🍻

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Thanks AT! CZ easily the best net cups on the market imo, love that wide rim it makes them much more versatile than other net cups. I just started using the neoprene collars and am finding them to be very useful too!

[@generalawareness101]

CZ sucks in one respect, that kept me away from them, and that is they have CZ on the bottom where the actual root hole should be. If I am purchasing net cups I demand that hole to already be there. Luckily there are plenty of net cup makers that do it the right way.

[@Kaalkian]

​@@JimmyBHarvests with the neoprene collars and cz pots are you still using clay balls ? Cool setup

[@Aussiecakes]

Love your videos! started my Hydro journey thanks to you! Q. will the towel provide enough darkness?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

It's always worked for me, I've done it a handful of times. The other option I've used is to put them in a closet. No noticeable performance difference. Best of luck with your plants! Its a learning journey, stick with it, have fun!

[@Aussiecakes]

@@JimmyBHarvests Great thanks for the feedback.

[@tvideo1189]

I do basically the same thing, except I use cotton balls. Works perfectly and is MUCH cheaper than rockwool blocks.

[@brownsugar1958ful]

Where do you buy the black flat sheets that you’ve placed on at top of cup

[@bradyridgley6338]

Yes sir thank you 🌱🤓💚💚💚☮

[@JimmyBHarvests]

🙏🙏✌️

[@alphaomega8373]

Literally just started last night. I use the net pot, have full of pebbles and top half with soil. Hoping the roots make it to the water below.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Love to hear it, best of luck with the plants! Haven't tried soil like that myself, keep me posted on their progress!

[@Metqa]

Remind folks that rock wool can be irritating to skin, especially if you are cutting it to pieces. Its not permanent. But it can be alarming if not expected

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Great tip! Haven't experienced that myself so I was unaware. Thanks for sharing

[@bradlaney2600]

When do you change the water to full strength?

[@Heyitsdash]

I’m out at 3 weeks!!!! Thanks for the tips, it’s off to the races with extra nutrients and fertilizers

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Love ittt! Best of luck with your new plants!

[@jazz_turtle]

Great video! This might’ve been mentioned before, but I was wondering what the little dark discs, you use to cover the root systems at the end, are made out of?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Thanks! They're made of plastic. I'm using some that came with a cloner product, from here: skunkbox.co.uk/shop/ Im pretty sure Ive also seen similar items on amazon. They work well, I've just started using them!

[@jazz_turtle]

@@JimmyBHarvests Ah, cool! I haven’t seen something like that used before, but they look like such a simple and reusable way to support the plants and keep algae at bay. Thanks for the link ☺️

[@Sasha-dr4or]

​@JimmyBHarvests do they look like sponges used for filters?

[@gabrielljx]

Can you start seeds in singapore room temperature, its 32°C here

[@vasvad1358]

Hi. How do you place seedlings in the middle of those black plastic circles? Like your tip about slicing rockwool cube and put it inside👍

[@JimmyBHarvests]

The black neoprene collars are cut from the side to center. They open up and plants slide right in

[@swoledupraiders]

What were those black plant holders called? Around the end of the video

[@swoledupraiders]

The little circle mat thing

[@mariekevanderaalst8359]

What about seeds like coleus wouldn't they need light from the start?

[@Sasha-dr4or]

Sorry, I have started with the hydroponic bell peppers using your methods. How do you aerate the roots without an aerator?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Growing without the aerator is commonly called the 'Kratky method'. You could grow peppers all the way to harvest with no aerator if you like, or you can add aeration it is totally up to you!

[@SirLoboBellaco]

Rockwool has a higher ph balance

[@user-ie7kv4qs5l]

Do you think plastic egg cartons would work instead of ice cube trays? I have so many of those.

[@joshuaalvaradoarguinzoni960]

Yes They will. Try them. I’ve used them with regular soil.

[@noneyabeezwax8865]

How do you cut the top of your water container to fit the ice cube tray? I tried cutting into lid but it cracked and broke.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

I was able to puncture a hole, then insert my scissors through the hole to start cutting. A drill would be a great way to start a hole. My method is shown here. Good luck! kzbin.info/www/bejne/ima9Z4F9gbmEb6s

[@eLicky]

I like the idea thanks, I'm trying it, I have a question though please. When you place the ice cube container in the plastic tub of water do the roots of these young seedlings need oxygen? Are they able to live with that water level being slightly above the bottom of the ice cube container? Thanks!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

The roots will typically find the water and direct themselves deeper into the water on their own. Occasionally I will help direct them through the ice cube tray holes. There is more than enough dissolved oxygen in the water to support the plants. Aeration free hydroponic systems are often called Kratky systems

[@eLicky]

@@JimmyBHarvests Thanks!

[@ezekielbisquera5283]

What is this method called?

[@verolivens6366]

Thanks for this 🥰 What kind of nutrients can I use?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Most brands are similar in my experience, but i typically use Advanced Nutrients - their micro/grow/bloom series

[@MyJman37]

Are you using there full recommendation for strength for the advanced nutrients micro/grow/bloom ? Ph perfect I assume? Please let me know as I am normally a soil grower but just starting to venture into aeroponic's hoping to use the advanced nutrients. Thank you.

[@mjkj5306]

newbie here, wondering is that a jar that your growing in at the end? also how do you get the plant in the black disc? at the end . also does this method work for lettuce?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

They are in jars at the end. Tomato sauce jars that i have repurposed. Paint them black to stop light entering and allowing algae to grow. The black discs have a slit in them so they open up and the plant slides in. I think i see them called 'neoprene collars' some places. Just using clay pebbles around the plants works fine too. This is pretty much the same method i use for lettuce. Here's a more detailed, seed to harvest lettuce run: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pImQaJSQorOifqc

[@MrCarlRobinson]

Can this method be used for starting seedlings for planting in earth later?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Definitely. Cant speak to all plants but i have done this with peppers, tomatoes, pumpkins and cannabis. Had no issues.

[@armaniengles5394]

okay i learned my mistake Thank you for teaching us

[@zorbowilliams1403]

I placed seeds on rockwool. And kept it wet. Germinated very well. Transfered the plants to bigger water container with hard spunge discs aroung the stems. Did very well still. Now I want to transfer plants to pernanent water buckets. How can I hold the plant firm and straight up in the lid.?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Clay pebbles

[@ail2470]

Thank you for the video. Very easy and concise. Question; When do you add full-strength nutrients?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

2-3 weeks in

[@ail2470]

@@JimmyBHarvests Thank you!

[@youtubetruthlife4750]

im using Botanium's. Then i dont have to do anything other than throw the seed in the first month. I add some nutrient from the start. 40% of the seeds germinated in 4 days, the rest in 5 and 6 days.

[@RodXLogistics]

How often you change the water with solution

[@JimmyBHarvests]

I mostly just top it up as opposed to change it. I try to always have at least an inch of roots exposed to air, and as the reservoir runs low i add more water/nutrients to get back to that point

[@tamatric6725]

When u put the seed in water must u put some nutriens in the water

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Not true. The seedlings grow fine for the first three weeks or so without any added nutrition. They have everything they need for that time in the seed itself.

[@ItsNad123]

Can I use hydroponics sponges instead

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Yes!

[@gootyobt2032]

I've done this and my seedlings came out weak with yellow leaves. Any ideas what that could mean?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

possibly low quality seed. More generally though if you leave seedlings with only water for too long, they will yellow out and wither. The time a seed can last with only it's own nutrition varies from plant to plant and with seed quality. best of luck with your next attempts!

[@unsopken0623]

When to remove the cover?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

No hard rule but probably around the time the first true leaves have formed

[@workphone4210]

CAN U START N POTTED SOIL FIRST THEN AS THEY GET BIGGER WASH & TRANSPLANT TO HYDROPONICS SYSTEM? SORRY ALL CAPS CAN'T C SMALL LETTERS ON KEYBOARD

[@JimmyBHarvests]

PROBABLY POSSIBLE, HAVENT TRIED IT MYSELF THOUGH. MIGHT BE A LARGE SHOCK FOR THE PLANT TO GO THROUGH.

[@workphone4210]

@@JimmyBHarvests THANKS 4 REPLY INFO

[@generalawareness101]

I did not use rockwool I used cotton balls, and no net cups I used a pool noodle, but the next part I am lost with as no video shows the next step that I could find. Once the seedling sprouts on the cotton ball then what? Leave it to grow a root will have it doing odd things from my experience if in the cotton ball.

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Ive been using cotton balls lately myself. I still follow the same steps as shown in this video, and move the plant into a netcup once it sprouts up. You can start directly in the net cup as well. Once the roots get down into your reservoir you're good to go. Good luck!

[@jnorris1944]

Do you use hydrogen peroxide with your water?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Occasionally i would add hydrogen peroxide to kill algae. I dont use it otherwise.

[@peted3857]

What is the deal with putting the word super in front of other words?

[@katiehobson3494]

I spent the first 3.5 mins of this video wondering why you paid $7.99 for some seeds that you can get from the actual fruit via the supermarket. $7.99 OMG!

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Using food scraps is a great way to get some seed, youre right about that!

[@salpine]

Some seeds won’t grow true to the parent. Good to look up if something is open pollinated/ heirloom/hybrid or even gmo. Cherub tomatoes are a sweet plum shaped tomato but the seeds are proprietary hybrids and their seeds won’t grow true, you will get a roll of the dice of genetic traits.

[@Fmkayla]

On day ten , there is no way those plants are green as you show! You put light on them and did not say ! The idea sounds good but you held back important info to new beginners! 🤔

[@dudeimbusy]

Wash your hands at every step…. Do it twice for good measure…

[@JimmyBHarvests]

Thanks for the tip 🙏🤙

[@Sasha-dr4or]

I'm a new subscriber. Please reply: how big/small should be the hydroponic baskets for tomatoes? When planting tomatoes into the feeding water should I dispose rockwool or leave them on the roots of the plant?

[@JimmyBHarvests]

I use 2 inch net cups for basically everything and have never had an issue. Used them for tomatoes multiple times. Leave the rockwool attached to the roots. Too risky to remove it, may damage the roots. Its not hurting anything being there. Best of luck with your plants!!

[@Sasha-dr4or]

@JimmyBHarvests thank you so much for your prompt response ♥️ You are the star! Love watching your videos, recently found them.