I just purchased a seed starting kit that i bought from Home Depot. Its hard plastic with silicone bottom with holes in them with a tray. The tray is black and you can place on top until germination, then on the bottom to bottom water. Loving these!!! If an emergency happens. I have small hole silicone trays i make dog treats with. This would be great if i needed to grow a lot of plants in a hurry and have a great start. I've been experimenting with growing in bottles. When i put the tiny seeds in cotton and place at the top if a wine bottles, it takes for everrrr for them to grow and grow roots. So i started cuttings. I placed straws on the side so i could oxygenation them. I used the pump from ny exercise ball but the seal was not good so no oxygen got in. Maybe an empty syringe will work. Planted lettuce in river rocks. Used a large cottage cheese container. Cut a small cottage cheese container to use as a wall where the wine cooler bottle can go with water and a place for the plant food. Using fertilizer tea nade from mt dried peelings of potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and banaba peels. Just need magnesium and calcium now. 😂
I also use these silicone trays as they are washable. Glad you made a video how good they are. They have much better life than those bad quality plastic seed trays.
Hoocho, been watching all your videos the past couple of days and I gotta say... you might be a mad scientist but I'm totally here for it! This is genius stuff.
Not only is this a fantastic idea for seeds but for the environment also!!! No PLASTIC trays. I really love using silicone for all kinds of things. I have some silicone muffin trays and you don't need to spray oil or grease and flour them and no paper muffin cups. Cornmeal muffins just pop right out of the silicone and into your mouth! Oooops, put butter on first..... Thanks for your GREAT ideas!
There are also ice cube trays that are hard plastic on the top two thirds, and have silicone bases in each cube section. The rigid top makes the 12 cube tray easy to carry by holding the side too, it's not floppy
I've been using ordinary plastic ice cube trays for a long time. It never occurred to me that they were available in silicone. Thanks for turning on my light bulb! Super idea. I can't wait to try it! Great video - as usual! Keep up the great work sir! Many thanks once again!😄🛶
Dang, man, this seems ingenious. We don't do hydro, but I imagine this would work by transferring to compost/soil as well. Specifically, the cotton ball method. Seed starting tiny seed varieties has been our biggest challenge. Specifically, cabbage, broccoli, spinach.....etc
Although not needed too often, a second silicone tray fit perfectly as a black out dome. I have so many small trays where finding the right cover in a small space used to be a challenge.
As im about to start my bato bucket for this season, this video is right on time. I used to use the plastic trays but this is much more clean and efficient. thank you
Awesome video! My method is pretty similar to yours, but I use the structural rigidity of the roots of the seedling to create the "block" for me. All I do is push a bunch of coco fiber (not peat) into a mould similar to yours (but hard, transparent plastic), plant the seed, wait for the roots to fill the block, and then I transplant it. It takes a bit longer than your method, so I'll definitely be giving the cotton a try. Cheers!
Great idea they pop out easy and clipping the corners for water and keeping the roots away from each other or make a lot easier. I have a question growing tomatoes in a Dutch bucket system. How often should you cycle the water on and off in a 24 hour period I have not been able to find any information on that. Thanks again.
Thank you so much! Your point about not using seeding trays because then we tend to want to fill the whole thing and its just a waste and as home gardener we don't need as many plants anyway. Damn. I always made myself overwhelmed with the seeding trays, I didn't make myself mental space to enjoy the process and learn because I wanted to feel like a mass producing farmer haha. Now I am going back to gardening with an open mind, keeping things simple and easy, and learn and enjoy. 6 chili plants are enough!
@@Hoocho I'm glad ya mentioned that a new Bamboo lab printer came out. Was about to pull the trigger on a p1p. Bamboo Lab seems like the most approachable plug and play sort of option.
as someone who has owned many 3d printers of different grades, I will only advise that it's better to spend more and get a reliable machine that you don't have to mess with too much, if you have the money then look at bamboo labs printers. I find 3d printing becomes more of a chore than a tool when you have the mess with it constantly, which is the case with most self build or DIY models
@@The_LaughingHyenaI am fine with my Ender 3D S1 Pro for the moment. But maybe in the future I will go for a Bamboo Lab to. They seems to go way faster. But are they as good in printing aswell in that speed?
Could you make a propagation method for hard to germinate seeds? As some tropical rarities will probably mold with the cotton wool propagation method over months...
Hey Hoocho, Do you have a video where you go over the many different types of cambells nutrients? There are so many, blue, white diamonds etc. I love how you succinctly present lots of information in the context of a diy hydroponics grower.
Another stella video Hooch! Can you touch on the vertical herb garden behind you? And would put lettuces and other greens in it? Seems perfect for an apartment balcony setup for someone who uses a crap tonne of fresh herbs and small greens.
thank you very much it works wonderful ..in less than a week i could see the result….is it possible to plant the seedlings in a potting mix instead of an hydroponic system .?
If its winter, give or take month or two, i agree that putting seeds outside to harden mid afternoon and overnight will probably be enough. When there is more hours in the day, even in April, I have to be a lot more careful about partially shading or covering them for the first several days or the leaves developed under artificial light are all lost. Just want to throw this out there so people don't take that advice in summer and kill their seedlings. If its warm enough I just start seeds outside.
I'm trying to get some slow seeds going... Asparagus setaceus. Removed the berries, removed the flesh. Currently have them in a beaker/heated magnetic stirrer at 40 deg C for 48 hours under LED lighting. Made my own little humidity enclosure. Chinese container, little water container inside of that, 4x squares of toilet paper, seeds on top on that, with 1x square of tp on top of them. Moisten with warm water. Close container. Put under CCFL surrounded with aluminium foil. Start sprouting, get leaves, put into prepared pot and soil mixture and success... hopefully. We're ending winter time in Australia, so should be warming up soon. Growing inside in a long planter pot. Bright indirect light. Could apparently take 2-4 weeks to germinate, barrgghh, so slow compared to veggies etc
Hey Honcho, have you ever thought about using the stuffing from pillow cases? The bags of cotton are $4, but I can get a pillow case for $6 with 4 times the volume.
How about rootrainers? I've started my tomatoes in them this season, it seems like a good system, because you can keep them in the trainer a long time. Probably not necessary in Australia, here in Germany we start in March and move outside in May. Rootrainers give the plants a small edge because of the insane root development. I've filled them up with coco and put them into a flood & drain for ease.
GDay Mitch, I’ve experimented with cotton wool but t thought it held too much water(drowning the seeds) Do you water initially then not water again till the first true leaves emerge, even the thinnest film of water seems to keep the cotton wool too wet. PS. My latest trial is starting seeds on Butter Muslin (from Spotlight) ( so far this material is showing promise) also some other seeds started in Lica (1/4 “ water in Mc Donald’s cup below 1” of Lica)
I only water once to wet. No point watering if there's moisture, all I want the seeds to do is strike. It's basically tricking them into thinking they're in a moist soil environment.
you can see something similar also on this 3 years old video from JimmyB Harvests - "Stop Wasting Grodan Rockwool - How to start seeds for hydroponics"
I like the idea of cotton buds, but I have really high failure rates and much more mould growing with this system. it may be I just need to manage water levels more carefully but its worth mentioning
Nope. Nothing to do with the water. Start everything in sterile water/ bleach mix. Any mediums and the seeds too. Keep everything wet with Solution 5 mL bleach+ 3 ml of root tech / 1 liter of water
Never thought about using cotton balls. I don't do hydroponic (yet), but could you just plant the cotton balls directly into soil after when they're ready to go out? I imagine if it's actual cotton and nothing synthetic it should ultimately break down and be safe?
I have been eyeballing specific silicone trays for plants, but they've been a weave it pricey. And I have been trying to convince myself that they're worth it in the long run. And I have been missing the trees in the forest to realize they're just ice cube trays rebranded.
Man Hoocho I loved this idea but the 6 bay silicon tray’s are expensive in the uk so being a man with a 3d printer I turned it into a print at a cost of 30 pence a tray and I love them. Went overboard and designed it into a whole little 6 plant propagation set with a watering tray and top with turn vent. I’m willing to share if you’re interested?
I tried this method and found everything dried out pretty quick and everything died. can i fill the tub up with water around the trays or will that be too wet? or should i just cling wrap to lock moisture in?
That's a good idea! I sell eggs and people bring back the cartons. Sometimes the lids start tearing off. This would be a great watch to repurpose them.
I am curious, what is the attraction to hydro, is it “just cool” you don’t like dirt? Or you just like to over complicate and increase the cost of things???
I just purchased a seed starting kit that i bought from Home Depot. Its hard plastic with silicone bottom with holes in them with a tray. The tray is black and you can place on top until germination, then on the bottom to bottom water. Loving these!!! If an emergency happens. I have small hole silicone trays i make dog treats with. This would be great if i needed to grow a lot of plants in a hurry and have a great start. I've been experimenting with growing in bottles. When i put the tiny seeds in cotton and place at the top if a wine bottles, it takes for everrrr for them to grow and grow roots. So i started cuttings. I placed straws on the side so i could oxygenation them. I used the pump from ny exercise ball but the seal was not good so no oxygen got in. Maybe an empty syringe will work. Planted lettuce in river rocks. Used a large cottage cheese container. Cut a small cottage cheese container to use as a wall where the wine cooler bottle can go with water and a place for the plant food. Using fertilizer tea nade from mt dried peelings of potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and banaba peels. Just need magnesium and calcium now. 😂
Fantastic. Hoocho's must be the most innovative hydroponic channel on the internet!
"...in future upcoming hydroponic system designs..." that smirk! Smooth as butter Hoocho, smooth as butter! LOL
I also use these silicone trays as they are washable. Glad you made a video how good they are. They have much better life than those bad quality plastic seed trays.
Hoocho, been watching all your videos the past couple of days and I gotta say... you might be a mad scientist but I'm totally here for it! This is genius stuff.
Not only is this a fantastic idea for seeds but for the environment also!!! No PLASTIC trays. I really love using silicone for all kinds of things. I have some silicone muffin trays and you don't need to spray oil or grease and flour them and no paper muffin cups. Cornmeal muffins just pop right out of the silicone and into your mouth! Oooops, put butter on first..... Thanks for your GREAT ideas!
Hey hoocho the ice trays is a great idea so much easier to get ur seedlings out
There are also ice cube trays that are hard plastic on the top two thirds, and have silicone bases in each cube section. The rigid top makes the 12 cube tray easy to carry by holding the side too, it's not floppy
I've been using ordinary plastic ice cube trays for a long time. It never occurred to me that they were available in silicone. Thanks for turning on my light bulb! Super idea. I can't wait to try it! Great video - as usual! Keep up the great work sir!
Many thanks once again!😄🛶
Where was this idea 69 year's ago. And thank's for this mind blowing 411.
Wow!!! Game changer!! I LOVE this idea! I cringe at labels, but THIS makes labelling easy!! Thank you sooooo much!!!❤
My granddaughter is going to love this. She has been asking to grow some plants from seed.
Ingenious. Thanks!
And Thank you! 😂
Dang, man, this seems ingenious. We don't do hydro, but I imagine this would work by transferring to compost/soil as well. Specifically, the cotton ball method. Seed starting tiny seed varieties has been our biggest challenge. Specifically, cabbage, broccoli, spinach.....etc
i love the ice tray part, genius
Although not needed too often, a second silicone tray fit perfectly as a black out dome. I have so many small trays where finding the right cover in a small space used to be a challenge.
That is such an awesome idea, and I can pick the ice trays up chep at goodwill, thank you Hoocho , love and blessings.
So cool! Now I'm going to go through my cupboard, because I know I have some silicone candy molds in there somewhere...! Thanks for the great idea!
As im about to start my bato bucket for this season, this video is right on time. I used to use the plastic trays but this is much more clean and efficient. thank you
I think you just made my gardening life so much easier!
OMG game changer for home indoor growers you ROCK 🙏
Ive just been 3d printing small trays that have 12 holes, each holds 1/3 of a cotton ball, and a reservoir in the center for water.
Can I get your 3dmodel 🥹
This was actually inspiring. I like the cocoa coir propagation idea in these trays. It’s very sustainable.
Awesome video! My method is pretty similar to yours, but I use the structural rigidity of the roots of the seedling to create the "block" for me. All I do is push a bunch of coco fiber (not peat) into a mould similar to yours (but hard, transparent plastic), plant the seed, wait for the roots to fill the block, and then I transplant it. It takes a bit longer than your method, so I'll definitely be giving the cotton a try. Cheers!
Yet another great idea. You are always improving the process. Thanks from uk
And yet another home run by Hoocho!
ive been saving my plastic egg cartons to grow seedings in, the cotton ball trick is gonna be perfect for that! thanks!
I’ve been looking for a medium to grow my hydroponic seeds and this is all I need! Thank you!!
You are so smart. I love it. I wish I had someone to work with me like u on these projects.
Great for u!!!!
great technique. whats even better is using tampons in a plug system.
😮
Great idea they pop out easy and clipping the corners for water and keeping the roots away from each other or make a lot easier.
I have a question growing tomatoes in a Dutch bucket system. How often should you cycle the water on and off in a 24 hour period I have not been able to find any information on that. Thanks again.
Thank you so much! Your point about not using seeding trays because then we tend to want to fill the whole thing and its just a waste and as home gardener we don't need as many plants anyway. Damn. I always made myself overwhelmed with the seeding trays, I didn't make myself mental space to enjoy the process and learn because I wanted to feel like a mass producing farmer haha. Now I am going back to gardening with an open mind, keeping things simple and easy, and learn and enjoy. 6 chili plants are enough!
I absolutely love this method! Fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing it.
Alright, alright, Mr. Hoocho, I'll buy a 3d printer. Your channel has convinced me of their value.
Sorry about the rabbit hole I just lead you down….
I just got a bamboo lab P1S
It’s incredible.
Highly recommend.
@@Hoocho I'm glad ya mentioned that a new Bamboo lab printer came out. Was about to pull the trigger on a p1p. Bamboo Lab seems like the most approachable plug and play sort of option.
as someone who has owned many 3d printers of different grades, I will only advise that it's better to spend more and get a reliable machine that you don't have to mess with too much, if you have the money then look at bamboo labs printers. I find 3d printing becomes more of a chore than a tool when you have the mess with it constantly, which is the case with most self build or DIY models
@@The_LaughingHyenaI am fine with my Ender 3D S1 Pro for the moment. But maybe in the future I will go for a Bamboo Lab to. They seems to go way faster. But are they as good in printing aswell in that speed?
great. idea. I have cracked a lot of those cheap trays from buttings and these definitely look a bit more long lasting.
Brilliant my friend, always enjoy your videos
Very nice! Useful information in the very first minute.
What a 👍 informative vid. The best I’ve seen. Thank you so much!!
It keeps gettin better.
Could you make a propagation method for hard to germinate seeds? As some tropical rarities will probably mold with the cotton wool propagation method over months...
Maybe use a weak Hydrogen peroxide solution to prevent the mould issue
This is genius dude.
so clean! Can I take them to normal soil afterwards?
Hey Hoocho,
Do you have a video where you go over the many different types of cambells nutrients? There are so many, blue, white diamonds etc. I love how you succinctly present lots of information in the context of a diy hydroponics grower.
Great idea. Thanks
Another stella video Hooch!
Can you touch on the vertical herb garden behind you? And would put lettuces and other greens in it? Seems perfect for an apartment balcony setup for someone who uses a crap tonne of fresh herbs and small greens.
thank you very much it works wonderful ..in less than a week i could see the result….is it possible to plant the seedlings in a potting mix instead of an hydroponic system .?
Good idea! They also make silicone seedling trays.
Hi hoocho, my main garden is organic soil, is ok to start seeds in cotton balls? never used it before.
Brilliant idea!! Thank you for sharing!
Most of my 'plastic tray inserts' are 20 years old and they all have drainage holes that facilitate bottom watering
If its winter, give or take month or two, i agree that putting seeds outside to harden mid afternoon and overnight will probably be enough. When there is more hours in the day, even in April, I have to be a lot more careful about partially shading or covering them for the first several days or the leaves developed under artificial light are all lost. Just want to throw this out there so people don't take that advice in summer and kill their seedlings. If its warm enough I just start seeds outside.
brilliant Hoocho !!
What a great idea. Thanks for sharing!
Impressive! more content like this
I'm trying to get some slow seeds going...
Asparagus setaceus.
Removed the berries, removed the flesh. Currently have them in a beaker/heated magnetic stirrer at 40 deg C for 48 hours under LED lighting.
Made my own little humidity enclosure. Chinese container, little water container inside of that, 4x squares of toilet paper, seeds on top on that, with 1x square of tp on top of them.
Moisten with warm water. Close container. Put under CCFL surrounded with aluminium foil.
Start sprouting, get leaves, put into prepared pot and soil mixture and success... hopefully.
We're ending winter time in Australia, so should be warming up soon.
Growing inside in a long planter pot. Bright indirect light.
Could apparently take 2-4 weeks to germinate, barrgghh, so slow compared to veggies etc
Also use egg cartons. The plastic ones would last a long time and you can keep the clear plastic lid for certain seeds.
Thank you. My burpee seed poss are cracking. I will buy the ice trays.
Nice 1 Mr Hoocho !
can you use clay pebbles as a replacement for the cotton wool and is light 100% required or can they just sit under regular light?
Great ideas. Thanks for the video.
Such a great idea! Thanks,
Hey Honcho, have you ever thought about using the stuffing from pillow cases? The bags of cotton are $4, but I can get a pillow case for $6 with 4 times the volume.
No. That stuffing is polyester
What nutrients do you ususally use for seedlings and is it always the same?
Another super idea.
Can you do the cotton ball thing in the in door hydroponics systems
Wonderful idea!
How about rootrainers? I've started my tomatoes in them this season, it seems like a good system, because you can keep them in the trainer a long time. Probably not necessary in Australia, here in Germany we start in March and move outside in May. Rootrainers give the plants a small edge because of the insane root development.
I've filled them up with coco and put them into a flood & drain for ease.
Great show thanks bro Les from Perth WA
Your video is excellent is this method for all kinds of seeds
GDay Mitch, I’ve experimented with cotton wool but t thought it held too much water(drowning the seeds)
Do you water initially then not water again till the first true leaves emerge, even the thinnest film of water seems to keep the cotton wool too wet.
PS. My latest trial is starting seeds on Butter Muslin (from Spotlight) ( so far this material is showing promise) also some other seeds started in Lica (1/4 “ water in Mc Donald’s cup below 1” of Lica)
I only water once to wet. No point watering if there's moisture, all I want the seeds to do is strike. It's basically tricking them into thinking they're in a moist soil environment.
Brilliant!❤
you can see something similar also on this 3 years old video from JimmyB Harvests - "Stop Wasting Grodan Rockwool - How to start seeds for hydroponics"
Thank you
Which silicone ice cube trays on Amazon USA should I buy?
TetsusaigaDrgn Look in your supermarket, K Mart, Target or large alcohol retailer. They are everywhere.
great information
Great stuff, mate.
I have been doing similar but with coconut fibre. Without cutting holes in tray, so I can use for ice cubes if I want to 😂
I like the idea of cotton buds, but I have really high failure rates and much more mould growing with this system. it may be I just need to manage water levels more carefully but its worth mentioning
Nope.
Nothing to do with the water.
Start everything in sterile water/ bleach mix.
Any mediums and the seeds too.
Keep everything wet with
Solution 5 mL bleach+ 3 ml of root tech / 1 liter of water
Genius bro
It looks great, but mine are leggy.. Can't figure out what I am doing wrong.. Is there any support for help? 😢
Where did you get the ice trays Hoocho? They are a perfect size. Love your content mate.
Never thought about using cotton balls. I don't do hydroponic (yet), but could you just plant the cotton balls directly into soil after when they're ready to go out? I imagine if it's actual cotton and nothing synthetic it should ultimately break down and be safe?
Hi Hoochie,
I like your greenhouse do you have a video showing a bit more in-depth how its built I would like to replicate
Yeah mate ua-cam.com/video/m_r7BDELy8M/v-deo.htmlsi=aXF6FWHYltXDGy1y
You’re so awesome!
I have been eyeballing specific silicone trays for plants, but they've been a weave it pricey. And I have been trying to convince myself that they're worth it in the long run. And I have been missing the trees in the forest to realize they're just ice cube trays rebranded.
Bingo.
Just in time for my neck of the woods!
The woods will be too shady. Try a garden.
Man Hoocho I loved this idea but the 6 bay silicon tray’s are expensive in the uk so being a man with a 3d printer I turned it into a print at a cost of 30 pence a tray and I love them. Went overboard and designed it into a whole little 6 plant propagation set with a watering tray and top with turn vent. I’m willing to share if you’re interested?
@@milkybaravenger hey mate!
Flick me an email.
contacthoocho@gmail.com
@@Hoocho Just sent you one mate.
Without any soil on top do you have issues with helmet head?
Love 💕 it
I tried this method and found everything dried out pretty quick and everything died.
can i fill the tub up with water around the trays or will that be too wet?
or should i just cling wrap to lock moisture in?
This is badass🤯
Thanks for sharing
Have you added any thing in water
Legend.
damn that's a grate idea actually nice one bro
Thanks!!
Nice job!
Why would you not use egg cartons.?
That's a good idea! I sell eggs and people bring back the cartons. Sometimes the lids start tearing off. This would be a great watch to repurpose them.
Genius!! I wanna try this. I would be afraid of contamination but should be a good experiment
Love the look of this system. How do you keep algae from growing inthe channel?
I don’t have a hydroponic system. Can Igrow any seeds this way and then plant in soil
I am curious, what is the attraction to hydro, is it “just cool” you don’t like dirt? Or you just like to over complicate and increase the cost of things???
It’s so much cheaper.
Less water.
Less “amending soil”
Faster.
More reliable.
It’s a better solution.