Awesome on the reply brother! Much appreciated!.Yes I just use a rapid rooter cut down though. I feel they are a little to restrictive and I want the little roots to freely penetrate. So I guess it's more like a small cradle.
For the soil I do wet it. Sticking anything in dry is bad news lol. Just messing but Since I can't see the roots there really isn't a way to see if they hit dry soil so I prevent that by pre watering.
As far as watering goes I kinda go by feel of the pots weight. First few weeks there isn't need to water daily but by flower it's necessary.
Feeding and past recommendations of 25% or 50% people have always said I think was most likely geared towards autos being smaller in general. Im doing an A&b 2 part nute system at 100% strength and adding in all the extras like the bulking formula that's 0-10-10 at 1tsp per gallon every other day and not seeing any burn shows these things can take it. But they are huge. I have seen some here that would fit in a microwave and surely I wouldn't add much at all.
So when you soak the pot for transplant to you soak until run off then plant and pack dirt in. At that point do you water again lightly or just let it be? And for your presoak what and at what doses are you using? Like base at 1/4 strength or like root simulator only? Do you PH your first feed? Sorry about all the questions but my soil is just like yours and I'm amazed at all the girls I've seen of yours to be honest....I appreciate your help bro!