Propagate seedlings with cotton wool for an affordable and effective method suitable for hydroponics or soil. Gather cotton wool or cotton balls, a propagation tray, and a dense cell insert fitting the tray. Press cotton wool buds into the cells, ensuring they protrude from the bottom. Fill the tray with buds pushed to the cell tray's base. Wet the media by adding water to the tray's bottom. Place seeds on wet buds and secure the propagator lid. Retain humidity using the lid during germination. Maintain moist cotton wool buds by adding nutrient and water as seedlings grow. Avoid letting cotton wool dry out due to limited water-holding capacity. Plant two seeds per cotton wool bud to boost success. This approach suits greens and lettuce but may not work for aggressive growers like cucurbits.
Propagate Seedlings on a Budget: A Guide to Using Cotton Balls
Cotton wool buds are more cost-effective than alternatives like Jiffy pea pellets or rock wool slabs. Monitor the buds' moisture and water them when needed without overwatering. It takes several days to a week for germination. Add hydroponic nutrients to the water for cotton wool buds. Use fresh cotton wool buds for each seedling batch. Transplant germinated seedlings to soil or a hydroponic system. Adjust watering if cotton wool buds are soggy, seedlings wilt, buds are dry, or seedlings don't grow.
