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Pocatello ([email protected])

I'm thinking about trying this, but I have little time to
practice before we "go live". I'm thinking that getting the
germination process started before going to the soil, I can
have the seeds in larger pots than would otherwise be
practical to keep at 85 degrees.

For those who use this method, I want to know some details,
baggies or paper towels, how long, how warm, moisture, when
do you move them to pots, etc.

4/6/2005 12:01:23 PM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

I usually file the seed, soak for 4-6 hours, then place the seed in a damp paper towel, you only want to be able to squeeze out a few drops. I fold the paper towel up in layers and place it in a ziplc bag which goes in my germbox at a constant 85 degrees. I remove the seed when I have a root started that is about 1/2" long then I gently place the seed in the planting medium. The pots go back in the germbox until the seedling breaks ground at which time they go under a flourescent light. I have had very good luck with this method. You can usually see thru the folded paper towel held in front of a bright light to tell if you have a root started. Some seeds take longer, some take forever..the 1260 I had last year took 10 days..no idea why. On the other hand I can consistantly germ my 906's in about 27 hours.
Hope this helps, just my 2 nickels..

4/6/2005 12:54:15 PM

Utah

Cliff,
what I do is very similar to what Stunner does.
I also file and soak. I squeeze all of the water out of my paper towel ... you want it to be damp but not wet ...
if there is much water they will just rot...
you will want to do figure this out with some test seeds...
the paper towel is cut to fit inside the Zip-lock baggy - with one fold, so there are two layers ... the seed goes in the middle. I use a 1 qt freezer bag for each seed. double check to make sure the zip lock is sealed ! or everything will dry out. I put mine on top of my refrigerator. there is about a 2 inch gap between it and the cabinet above it.
I also hold mine up to a light to see when the have germinated. I transfer mine to a 5 qt plastic Ice Cream bucket soon after they have germinated.(cut the bottom off- flip with the lid as the new bottom ) if I can easily pull apart the paper towel layers then I lift the seed out and plant in horizontally in the potting soil. If I can't open the paper towel easily or the seed/root doesn't lift up easily or for whatever reason ... I just plant the paper towel and seed all together into the potting soil. you can cut excess paper towel off if you need to - but obviously be careful. Sometime the top layer will come off but the root looks to be imbeded in the lower layer... so I just cut off the top one.
Then I keep the plants inside till the 1st true leaf shows up. You can see pictures in my 03 diary.
sorry to be so wordy ... i'm not try to talk down to anyone... but i figure more is better than less.

4/6/2005 1:48:05 PM

Utah

Here is my diary link:

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryView.asp?season=2003&grower=3085&action=L

the thing that I found most interesting was how long the roots were when the plants were still small.

4/6/2005 2:01:56 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Thanks guys...

> the thing that I found most interesting was how long the roots were when the plants were still small

That's really my motivation to try this. It takes an awfully
large pot to prevent the roots from balling up in the pot,
even when the seed leaves are first emerging. Your approach
looks good.

4/6/2005 3:28:22 PM

Spanish Ontario

HI CLIFF my 845 BOBIER took 17 day,s to sprout in 03 had to finally disect it from shell grew root,s in 38 hr,s this seed prouduced the 982.4 MYERS that won the port elgin weigh off HOPE this help,S KEN

4/6/2005 5:23:54 PM

Whidbey Island

Tools: Extremely sharp knife and steady hands.
Gently slice the seed along the edge and tease out the "embryo".
Place embryo in moist towels, keep moist but not too wet, keep warm.
Once the rootlet is about 1/2 inch long, plant in soil.
I generally get 100% germination this way.

4/7/2005 12:15:35 AM

Rexburg, Idaho

I used to do this paper towel stuff but WHY? I think the chances of increasing damage to the root and thus ruining the seed are real. Just soak it overnight and then put it in the pot. So you can't see what is going on but you don't run the risk of injuring the seedling. It doesn't save on pot space because you still have to plant the seed once it breaks root and then maintain the warm temps until after it has broke ground. Although its fun to see the root starting I think it is USA (Unnecessry Screwing Around) and sooner or later it will cause you grief. Just my two cents on the mater

4/7/2005 9:11:46 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I guess that's the question.... how long do you have to maintain heat to the seedling?

4/7/2005 9:57:54 AM

ipswich, ma usa

Once they break ground I shut the heat down put them under my grow light and let them be. In a day or to get them to the sun, harden them off for a day or two then transplant them to your hoop house. From breaking ground till transplanting you really dont want more than five or six days in the pot. You will be amazed at the amount of roots they put down BEFORE they even break surface.

John (5150)

4/7/2005 10:58:14 AM

Utah

Brian-
good points ... I don't have a good place to put my containers ... and I don't think that I USA my seeds... so that's why I do what I do ...
I guess I should by the waterbed heating pad I saw at the trift store yesterday !

4/7/2005 1:31:10 PM