ive tried the paper towel method....nothing (been 24 hours..should i let it go longer?).....tried the "plant them shallow in wet medium" 4 days and nothing...im using jiffy cups (4 total) 2 with a 23 peat moss to 1/3 perilite and 2 are 2/3 potting soil to 1/3 perelite....

ANY suggestions or advice would be appreciated..i am new to germing..i usually just plant a bunch andf see what comes but figured this would be more accurate and i would be able to know that its growing....

[MaryJaneDoe]

let them sit in the paper towel a day or two longer. I like to put the paper towel into a ziplock baggie and then into a thick dark sock to insulate and keep the light out. then the sock goes on the warm spot on top of computer monitor where it stays for 36-72 hrs. ive found the use of bottom heat results in faster germ times and better germ rates. perfect 10/10 germ rate with this method. good luck!
MJD

i have it in a ziplock baggie inside my rubbermaid with no lights on...during the day it gets about 80 and at night about 65-70....

does light affect it at all?

[Gantz]

are the seeds fresh? white? green? brown?
the paper towel method...hmmm....did you put them in a warm place? i use the fridge. and i leave them for 48 hours. i make shure they have moisture....that's how i do it and it works. DO NOT check on them 100 times in 24 hours. they will not germinate that fast...not all of them anyway.

another thing. the shell might be to thick for water to penetrate it. i usually use a sharp blade and scratch the shells a little. it works even with the toughest seeds.

to increase your germ rates make shure the seeds are well dried. than put them in the freezer for a week or two and after that you can germinate them.

[Gantz]

why would light affect seeds that are not germinated? do seeds have clorophyl? can the seedling inside use the light that can't penetrate the thick opaque shell?

[pieceofmyheart]

I have found germing seeds easy this way.

Use a lot of papertowels, like 15, fold them and soak with water.

Put the seeds in and fold the towels over the seeds.

Cover with plastic wrap.

Place in a warm area until they pop. Some can take a few days, others will pop in a day.











When they pop as above, use a pencil or chopstick to make a hole in the soil.



Place root down/seed up in the hole, not real deep. Just lightly cover with soil.




The next three pics were all taken 24 hours apart.

[dude06version]

easiet method.. paper towel, ziplock bag...wet paper towel with warm water(dont overdo it).put in bag and place somewhere warm...the digital cable boxes are the perfect temp for germing. slip it right under the box and leave for 48 hrs..this never failed me once. also dont open the bag and mess with the seeds.

[Laxpunker]

If you have a digital cable box, that thing is the best. It stays nice and warm even with the TV off. Another thing I've found with the paper towel and baggy trick, seal it all the way to one corner, then lightly blow up the bag and finish sealing it. Now the bag is nice and firm, allowing the bag to stay nice and humid. Probably useless, but everyone has their own quirks.

[sproutco]

Originally Posted by sproutco

Place good seeds in some distilled water in a small cup. Allow to soak for 12 hours. Now put them in a soilless mix without any ferts. Only lime and gypsum. See my signature below for directions on soilless mixes. Plant 1/4 inch deep in your really wet soil mix. Use the remainder of your distilled water to really wet the soil before inserting the seed. Cover lightly and carefully with soil over the seed in its new hole. It should no longer be visible. Spray soil down with water to settle the soil. Dont spray so hard it disturbs the depth of the seed. Place in 75 to 90 degree temperatures. It may be helpful to cover your small 16 ounce or so size containers with clear plastic wrap to retain moisture and not allow the soil to dry out. When sprouts begin to appear, quickly remove wrap. Place 1 to 2 inches away from florescent tube lights 20-40 watts per square foot. A mixture of warm white and cool white bulbs works well but cool white by itself can be used in a pinch. Shop lights work well. When seedlings get their first true leaves not the first unserrated leaves or coyledons, apply a very gentle dose of complete fertilizer like 20-20-20. Maybe 1/4 teaspoon per gallon. Now they are growing.

[Big Bud Bear]

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