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Aloha, Oregon

Hi all I wanted to know who starts seeds out side of pots and moves them into the pots once a root has started. Is it a good way to start seeds...? I will greatly appreciate the information you guys can give me.

Thanks!

Jordan

11/29/2007 1:52:09 AM

Udine, Italy

I soaked my seeds in hydrogen peroxide and water for a couple of hours and after I put in a glass container with some drops of sterilized water and adsorbent paper, in a growth chamber. I transplant as soon as root appair. The advantage is the possibility of monitoring seeds sprouting (2-3 days after soaking) and eventually quickly starting with another batch of seeds. Usually the germination rate is 80-90%. Sterility is recommanded

11/29/2007 2:55:25 AM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

Check out Kahuna's(Russ Landry) diary Jordan as he seemed to have a soil less method that worked quite well.

11/29/2007 5:42:52 AM

Minnesota

Using the paper towel method (filed, soaked, put in a folded paper towel in a air tight baggie, under a heating light for a day or two) I have had close to 100 % germination rate.

11/29/2007 6:42:49 AM

Georgia

Jordon Ive been doing germination tests and ive found that putting and a seed wrapped in a wet paper towel inside a plastic bag and then putting that on a germination mat works great. I then put it inside a pot once I see a root and keeping that under a light works great.

11/29/2007 8:34:51 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Great time to practice with some of those extra seeds we might have....

11/29/2007 10:22:59 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

You are so right Wiz, a great time to practice is now.

Jordan, there is a great source of info and data at;

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/msgboard/ViewBoard.asp?b=9

11/29/2007 10:55:26 AM

Indiana

Very good post Jordan

Tom Beachy

11/29/2007 12:32:11 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I do similar to what Jason D. posted. I'm quite happy with the results. I agree that practicing during the winter is good advice. For my heat source, I fill a gallon plastic milk jug with hot water, and put it inside an insulated cooler, along with the seeds I'm sprouting. I put fresh hot water in the milk jug every 8 hours or so.

11/29/2007 12:59:41 PM

Georgia

Doug with your method how long does it usualy take to sprout? On average lets say if the seeds are on a heat source of roughly 85 degrees how long does it usually take yall? I cut up one pumpkin last weekend its been on display for two months and I removed the seeds cleaned and thought I was drying them and put them in a cool dark basement and two days later every dang one sprouted. I have better luck germinating seeds when Im not trying unfortunetly.

11/29/2007 1:22:58 PM

Ohio

I like using the 24 hr hand warmers(shake to activate the heat)as a extra heat source for my seedlings instead of the Hot Water jugs, only because you dont have to change them out as much.

11/29/2007 2:24:45 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

I used the seed propogation mats, work will, I do cover and add humidity clothes to the sealed germination tank.

11/29/2007 2:45:58 PM

[email protected]

I use the paper towel in a baggie method going straight into the pot as soon as the radicle is visible.

I've also tried popping them in the soiless mix. But I found that heating a large pot full of soil is much harder especially for multiple seeds.

11/29/2007 3:36:23 PM

Flat Rock, Michigan

Jason ,
I've also used the paper towel method and a baggie but I've used my Direct tv receiver box and set the baggie on top of it. I've used a digital thermometer to check the temp and it averages betweeen 85-90 degrees and it has taken 3 days each time I've experimented with the seeds the last 3 weeks.

11/29/2007 6:18:37 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

I use the paper towel in baggie method. One problem is if there is too much moisture in the paper towel. Make sure it is not soggy. If you squeeze the paper towel with your hand and water comes out, it is too wet. Even at 85 to 90 degrees, if the towel is too wet, the seeds may not germinate.

11/29/2007 6:39:55 PM

Webster, NY

I also use the paper towel in the baggie. The baggie goes on a propagation mat with a towel in between. If I don't use the towel, the seeds get too hot and don't germinate.

11/29/2007 7:27:50 PM

Newmarket, NH USA

A thermometer is your best friend no matter how you germinate your seeds It is so easy to cook them and if you are not warm enough they can damp off very easy as well. I like temp of 88 degrees but no more than 90. This gives you the best shot at getting those tough ones to pop.

11/29/2007 7:28:25 PM

San Jose [email protected]

I used to do the baggie method, but if you dont catch the seed before the root gets long it is a pain trying not to break the root, so now I break open the seed (advanced seed method) and pop it in the potting soil, 3 days later up they come

11/29/2007 9:24:21 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Jason, they sprout in about 2-3 days for me.

11/29/2007 10:16:56 PM

Georgia

That might be part of my problem Ive been having on my last test. The paper towel is actually wet and I have the seeds and the baggie dirctly on the mat. Im gonna get the excess moisture out of the paper towel and set the baggie on a actual wash cloth and then on the germ mat. My girlfreind works for a commercial greenhouse so shes taking a couple seeds and pots to the germination greenhouse they have there and doing a test for me. Thats were ill probally do most of my plants next year if everything goes well.

11/30/2007 9:01:07 AM