best way to germinate.

[StoneyMcphatter]

Hey guys, when I used to grow I think I put my seeds in water until they popped open. Now that I am growing again I am trying the wet paper towel method. It doesn't seem to be working that well because my seeds are not popping and they've been in the paper towel for about 3 days.

What do you guys like to do to germinate?

What I do is I put the seeds in a wet paper towel, then put it in a plastic baggie in a warm dark place for 24 hours. I then take the seeds out and put them in a cup of water. They will sink and in about 6 hours have their tap root showing. 100% success rate with my method.

 

[Feadris]

I place my seeds in a glass filled with ro water for 12 hours or until they sink to the bottom. They are now waterlogged an dont need to be in the water any longer.

Then I setup my heat mat and seedling tray with dome.

Place beans in rapid rooters then place in tray. Anything good will break surface within 3 days most fresh stuff in 2. Keep the dome over it as they sprout and mist with sprayer daily to keep the rooters moist but not soaked. Then place in final medium. I use coots organic mix as its ok for seedlings.

That paper towel method is not used by any professional anywhere in the industry. You only see it on weed cultivation sites for some reason.

 

[bgmike8]

I'm telling you guys, root riot cubes are just as good as a cup of water without the hassle of handling the seed. And they're cheap. I don't see how there could be a better method than that.

 

[Dr. Who]

Thanks a lot man. That's what I thought was bad about the paper method. It does dry out.
I read that you can't leave the seeds in water more than 32 hours or they will drown.
I don't think thats true because I did it all the time. How long does it take your seeds to pop using the cup of water method?

YES they can "drown"! I know of several seed breeders that will NOT support any "warranty" on their seeds if you do a "soak" method at all!
In fact they say not to!
I think they are right to a point. I believe the issue is due to folks using distilled or water set out to remove chlorine etc. from tap.
In reality it's low to no dissolved O2 in the water drowning the seeds.

I gotta ask. If you get the P-towles wet. You squeeze out excess right? You then put them in a tupperware or butter tub right? Then put the seeds in between the layers, recover, and keep the tub in a place that's warm right? Say around 90F?

You can add some H2O2 to the water for more available O2 for popping beans you know....
Many folks like to soak, It's ok to - just be sure to not use distilled or low O2 water...

The best method is the one that works best For You! - they all work!

 

[purplehays1]

While i agree the seeds pop faster if u keep them in a cup of water, i feel that they pop just as often if u only soak them for like 24 hrs (until they sink) then pop them in root riot/rokwool (keep very wet) before they have cracked. They will crack quickly (maybe not as quick as in water the whole time) but u dont have to handle a cracked seed that is extremely sensitive and vulnerable. Just my opinion and what i have found the best success with.

 

[purplehays1]

Ya it is the best way. How come ppl always say don't touch the seed. I always touch the seed real gentle to put in the dirt.
What can happen if one were to touch the seed. Thanks for your reply sir.

You have oils on your hands that are not good for them, this is especially important if the seed has cracked, dry seeds probably not gunna matter. The little baby plant once a seed cracks is very sensitive and slight things like oils/germs can kill them.

 

[purplehays1]

I'm telling you guys, root riot cubes are just as good as a cup of water without the hassle of handling the seed. And they're cheap. I don't see how there could be a better method than that.

Most people including myself recommend you soak the seeds in water for at least 12 hours before u plant in rootriot/rockwool/dirt.

 

[mauricem00]

Hey guys, when I used to grow I think I put my seeds in water until they popped open. Now that I am growing again I am trying the wet paper towel method. It doesn't seem to be working that well because my seeds are not popping and they've been in the paper towel for about 3 days.

What do you guys like to do to germinate?

I've had good results soaking them in water for 24 hours then placing them in wet paper towels place inside a plastic bag for 1-3 days until they develop a 1/4 to 3/8 inch tap root before moving them to soil.

 

[edwardvanhalen123456]

Ya I used to just use a glass with water but that was so long ago I don't even remember doing it.
So I just looked up on ways to germinate and the first thing was the paper towel method. It is such a difference because it only took my one seed to pop overnight and it was in the paper towel for 3 days.

You said about having too much iron and hard water, what do you mean by that? I have been thinking a lot about ph levels and it's starting to worry me.
I used to have ph up I think it was because my water ph was too low. So I am going to get a ph tester and see whtas going on. What is the right ph level for growing?

 

[edwardvanhalen123456]

I place my seeds in a glass filled with ro water for 12 hours or until they sink to the bottom. They are now waterlogged an dont need to be in the water any longer.

Then I setup my heat mat and seedling tray with dome.

Place beans in rapid rooters then place in tray. Anything good will break surface within 3 days most fresh stuff in 2. Keep the dome over it as they sprout and mist with sprayer daily to keep the rooters moist but not soaked. Then place in final medium. I use coots organic mix as its ok for seedlings.

That paper towel method is not used by any professional anywhere in the industry. You only see it on weed cultivation sites for some reason.

Wow you really have a nice grow setup. I used the paper towel thing once and then switched to a cup of water and that worked great.
I never used a heat mat or rapid rooters. I prefer to stick to the basics because that's too much work for me lol.

It's easy to tell how much of a good and dedicated grower you are and I appreciate your gesture in helping me.

 

[edwardvanhalen123456]

You have oils on your hands that are not good for them, this is especially important if the seed has cracked, dry seeds probably not gunna matter. The little baby plant once a seed cracks is very sensitive and slight things like oils/germs can kill them.

Oh ya, that's what I thought you meant having dirty fingers. Thank you

 

[purplehays1]

Even a little soap from washing hands can be bad i believe.

 

[purplehays1]

Ya I used to just use a glass with water but that was so long ago I don't even remember doing it.
So I just looked up on ways to germinate and the first thing was the paper towel method. It is such a difference because it only took my one seed to pop overnight and it was in the paper towel for 3 days.

You said about having too much iron and hard water, what do you mean by that? I have been thinking a lot about ph levels and it's starting to worry me.
I used to have ph up I think it was because my water ph was too low. So I am going to get a ph tester and see whtas going on. What is the right ph level for growing?

Lot of factors to determine proper ph like how the plant is grown and age ect, but generally between like 5.5-6.5

 

[edwardvanhalen123456]

Lot of factors to determine proper ph like how the plant is grown and age ect, but generally between like 5.5-6.5

Do you think I should invest in a ph meter. I used to have one but I can't find it.
If the ph of my water I use to water the plant is at the right level ph, than would that make my plant be fine without worrying about ph.

 

[bgmike8]

Most people including myself recommend you soak the seeds in water for at least 12 hours before u plant in rootriot/rockwool/dirt.

I like rockwool. I've always used it.
However I think root riot is a bit different. Like it has bigger strands so it can stay soaking wet and still breath. Then it slips into my rockwool. Or your dirt. Or whatever.
I'm a cup man. I was anyway. But now that I've used the root riot and saw that it is the same time frame as the cup, why wouldn't I use them. They're cheap

 

[In Shape Vet]

wet and appropriately prepared rockwool cube in a bag on top of the light fixture youll be using IF the light fixture isnt that hot. just warm to the touch.

break open the cube daily to see if the seed has popped and if not come on here to post a picture of it and we will diagnose why and see if its changed since the previous day or not.

 

[purplehays1]

Do you think I should invest in a ph meter. I used to have one but I can't find it.
If the ph of my water I use to water the plant is at the right level ph, than would that make my plant be fine without worrying about ph.

If you are running soil its not really needed. I used the dropper solution for a long time but now i generally know how much i need to adjust ph and dont even use it anymore, but i run soiless hydro so there are some buffers. In hydro u need to keep the ph in line or plants will lockout.

 

[Blunted 4 lyfe]

Ya I used to just use a glass with water but that was so long ago I don't even remember doing it.
So I just looked up on ways to germinate and the first thing was the paper towel method. It is such a difference because it only took my one seed to pop overnight and it was in the paper towel for 3 days.

You said about having too much iron and hard water, what do you mean by that? I have been thinking a lot about ph levels and it's starting to worry me.
I used to have ph up I think it was because my water ph was too low. So I am going to get a ph tester and see whtas going on. What is the right ph level for growing?

I have my own well, unfortunately with having your own well means you need to treat your own water.

Hard water is mineral deposits that will show itself in the form of calcium buildup (white) I use water boss water softener which is a 2 stage softener the first is a sand mixture to capture sediment before finally going through a softener ( 50 lbs salt pellets from Home Depot, lowes) I live on a mountain with no sewer mains. City water is treated with chlorine and the high levels of chlorine can kill a seed hence the use of distilled or purified water to germinate seeds and I've never lost a seed with 100% success rate, but everyone has their own methods and I'm not knocking anyone's method we're here to help you.

BTW ph levels range from 1-14, 7 being neutral below 7 acidity levels are greater and above 7 the alkalinity level rises I forgot the levels required for growing weed since I use amended soil and don't worry about ph levels I use a variation of coots and Supersoil (my buddy gave me 11 year old soil he amended)

B4L

 

[edwardvanhalen123456]

If you are running soil its not really needed. I used the dropper solution for a long time but now i generally know how much i need to adjust ph and dont even use it anymore, but i run soiless hydro so there are some buffers. In hydro u need to keep the ph in line or plants will lockout.

Ok that makes a lot of sense, I never really thought of that. This first grow is going to be a test grow just to see what I need or don't need for my next grow.

 

[edwardvanhalen123456]

I have my own well, unfortunately with having your own well means you need to treat your own water.

Hard water is mineral deposits that will show itself in the form of calcium buildup (white) I use water boss water softener which is a 2 stage softener the first is a sand mixture to capture sediment before finally going through a softener ( 50 lbs salt pellets from Home Depot, lowes) I live on a mountain with no sewer mains. City water is treated with chlorine and the high levels of chlorine can kill a seed hence the use of distilled or purified water to germinate seeds and I've never lost a seed with 100% success rate, but everyone has their own methods and I'm not knocking anyone's method we're here to help you.

BTW ph levels range from 1-14, 7 being neutral below 7 acidity levels are greater and above 7 the alkalinity level rises I forgot the levels required for growing weed since I use amended soil and don't worry about ph levels I use a variation of coots and Supersoil (my buddy gave me 11 year old soil he amended)

B4L

Ok I understand what your saying about the water. My fridge has a water dispenser that has a filter so the water comes out fresh, kinda like that brita water filter. So I think if I use good water I won't have to worry about ph.