Rapid Rooters for hard-to-germinate seeds?

[Happy]

I'm thinking that when I start chives or chard that perhaps I should use Rapid Rooters, and make slits so that I can plant seeds over a broader area.
(I do cover my newly-planted seeds with jar covers to keep out the light.) aerogardenaddicts.com/thread/774/right-after-planting

Your opinion?

To me they are the same as the Parkseed sponges...except they are pre treated with Hydrofarm nutrients. If I used them, I would hold off on the AG nutes for a while.But ..I have never used them. Maybe someone else on the forum has.

If you use the large ones(not quite understanding your plan for growing over a broader area)how will you squeeze the sponge into the small hole? It would be too tight for roots to grow through the sponge.JMO 

[Shawn]

I know nothing about them but I do know there are a handful of threads that people talk about them.  DO a search for Rapid Rooters in the search field

From what I see, it is an open invitation for a profusion of Algae, and the plastic baskets can't be used. The Rooter would have to be stuffed directly into the deck hole w/o the basket..a tight squeeze. Also it appears that the Rooter begins to crumble. I would not want to wreck a pump with crumbs in the tank.

If it were for a homemade rig like Katky, it wouldn't matter.

[MaryL]

I haven’t used them but I think DRBanks has. If it’s the same thing, she places them directly in the holes without baskets, but also cuts a slice off one side to allow space for the trickling water from the deck.  (She explains it better than me). 

[drbanks]

Definitely what I've been using lately.  Like in my Jalapeno GAL, for instance.

If you take one and just stick it in an AG's pod hole, you'll have a lot of water backing up on top of the grow plate.  I generally take some shears and cut off a corner and align it with the pod hole's water spout, so water can flow freely.

Yes, they can be a bit of an algae magnet, but not so much that it's really caused me any issues.  And yes, things sprout quite nicely in them.  But, I don't feed any additional nutes until I start seeing true leaves.

[Happy]

Thanks, everyone.
Several years ago, I did try Rapid Rooters for my regular greens and found them disappointing. There's really no advantage to them for regular seeds. (Yes, I did have to slice off some from the side so they would fit.)

The only reason I'm giving them a go again is because it's so hard to germinate chard, and I figured that if I made several depressions for the seeds, that one of them might take hold. I'd also like to give chives a broader area since they're so vertical.

drbanks , I'm curious as to why you use Rapid Rooters for your jalapeno.  ?

ever try starting them out of the machine and then transplanting them when the seeds germinate?

Here are 2 methods I use:

Place the seeds in a damp paper towel in a zip lock baggy and place it on top of a hood for a few days. Check to see that the paper Towel is still moist every few days. Remove the seeds and transplant into a sponge before the roots grow into the fabric of the paper towel.

Or put some filled, ready to plant seeded sponges in a few cups, fill the water to the halfway mark of the sponge and wait for germination. Place it on a counter or surface out of direct sunlight or  algae will grow on top.

I have had both these methods work for me.

[Happy]

Good ideas, Corinne!
I'll post a report after my seeds (Thanks, Mary!), sponges and Ultra arrive