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I used to exclusively use the paper towel method for germinating seeds. Now I am trying soil blocks (I found some seeds germinate better if I don't cover them).

And I was wondering when should I take the cube out of my "incubator", transplant them and start exposing them to light.

With the paper towel method, as soon as I see the radicle, I move them to a little 330c pot, cover them just enough, and leave them under lights/sun. But with the soil blocks, I am not sure what would be better.

Should I wait until cotyledons show up (or the seed completely "emerge"), or should I do it as soon as I see the radicle digging into the cube (covering with soil before doing it to protect the roots)?

MackM
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csamx
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1 Answers1

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The trouble is, you can't tell when the seeds germinate in the soil blocks until green shows above the soil surface; in order for green growth to happen, light is essential, or any growth will not be green. If you can tell they've germinated, then they need to be moved out of the dark immediately, but they also need to be kept warm, otherwise the temperature difference might kill them, so when you know they've germinated, proceed as you do for the tissue method. Because they're in soil blocks, you can wait till each seedling has a pair of true leaves, then pop the soil block into a small pot with potting soil.

Bamboo
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