Don't use Viva paper towels to germinate seeds

grassy007

grassy007

Well-Known Member
I really like Viva paper towels. Best on the market. However, for germinating seeds, not so good. Viva paper towels are so cloth like in texture, that the 1/4" long germinating seed root started immediately embedding itself into the folded over Viva paper towel. I had to gently pry that tap root loose to get it into a Solo cup. I recommend any other paper towel but Viva for germinating seeds using the paper towel method. They started thinking that was their grow medium and went at it, lol. I had to tug a 1/2" seed tap root off the Viva paper towel. 8)

Upon thinking, I could've/should've have just unfolded the paper towel and scissored around the paper towel and the first tap root grabbing into the paper towel.... and just set them both in the hole. Viva paper towels aren't your best bet for germinating seeds. The seeds tap root likes the cloth like texture of Viva paper towels and grabs into it. A stiffer cheaper paper towel is better for germinating seeds with the paper towel germination method .
 
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grassy007

grassy007

Well-Known Member
Two out of the 3 seeds of Bubble OG ($40 from Europe) sprouted fine. One just didn't want to tap its root outta the shell more than a tiny bit....then did nothing. Damn! I wanted 3 auto growing seedlings for my small grow tent. Ah well.

Damn...auto flowering seeds are somewhat expensive, not to mention the two plus weeks it takes to get a shipment from Europe to the US.
 
517BlckBerry

517BlckBerry

Well-Known Member
Ya when you pay 100$ for a pack of seeds you're very careful with them lol. I had that same issue. It could be a couple other brands too but youre right i used viva and that happened. I started just popping them in the dirt though. My veg room wasnt running at 100% perfection but now it is so i just load the cup with some mycos/good dirt and let mother nature handle it. Works every time.
 
MichiganMedGrower

MichiganMedGrower

Well-Known Member
I like to see a tap root before I plant seeds in soil.

I use a coffee filter moistened in an open baggie in a dark warm place. The root does not stick to a wet coffee filter. Then tweezers to carefully plant.

Learned from Pete at CH9 Seeds. Works great.
 
whitebb2727

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
517BlckBerry said:
Ya when you pay 100$ for a pack of seeds you're very careful with them lol. I had that same issue. It could be a couple other brands too but youre right i used viva and that happened. I started just popping them in the dirt though. My veg room wasnt running at 100% perfection but now it is so i just load the cup with some mycos/good dirt and let mother nature handle it. Works every time.
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Most don't realize that extra steps can cause them to die. Its rare. As the tap root emerges it developed many very fine roots. Root hairs. They actually stick to the paper towels. When you pull the seed from the towel it breaks the root hairs. Any damage is a spot that can allow pathogens or bacteria in that cause damping off.
 
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MichiganMedGrower

MichiganMedGrower

Well-Known Member
I can get much faster germination and sprouting and a healthy seedling that got out of it’s shell all the way by taprooting in the moist coffee filter and carefully planting the seed less than a centimeter deep with the tap root up.

It is in more control that way. And they sprout in an ideal fashion.

Don’t you all want to know your expensive seed is viable as quickly as possible?
 
whitebb2727

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
MichiganMedGrower said:
I can get much faster germination and sprouting and a healthy seedling that got out of it’s shell all the way by taprooting in the moist coffee filter and carefully planting the seed less than a centimeter deep with the tap root up.

It is in more control that way. And they sprout in an ideal fashion.

Don’t you all want to know your expensive seed is viable as quickly as possible?
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Its not really any quicker to germ first. I mean it takes a day or so to germ then you put it in soil and another day or so to pop above ground.

It might take one more day going straight to soil but by the time it breaks ground the roots will be 4-6 inches long easy.

I never understand why cannabis growers use the extra steps. Only cannabis growers and fifth grade science class use paper towels to germ seeds.

Its a seed. Its sole purpose is to grow, to sprout in soil.
 
MichiganMedGrower

MichiganMedGrower

Well-Known Member
whitebb2727 said:
Its not really any quicker to germ first. I mean it takes a day or so to germ then you put it in soil and another day or so to pop above ground.

It might take one more day going straight to soil but by the time it breaks ground the roots will be 4-6 inches long easy.

I never understand why cannabis growers use the extra steps. Only cannabis growers and fifth grade science class use paper towels to germ seeds.

Its a seed. Its sole purpose is to grow, to sprout in soil.
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I said why. So I can see if my money was well spent.

And root hairs don’t stick to coffee filters. I have at least 98% success for the last 4 years. I did drop one on the carpet once. But I found it and the root was intact so I grew it anyway. She was fine.

I plant vegetable and herb seeds directly in soil. I also tend to throw out the problem growers instead of baby them and see what I get. They are comparitavely cheap to buy.

I do agree it only saves a day or two with good fresh seeds.

Also if I have old tough to germinate seeds it is easier to help them crack open if necessary with the method I am using than dig up the stalled seeds.
 
whitebb2727

whitebb2727

Well-Known Member
MichiganMedGrower said:
I said why. So I can see if my money was well spent.

And root hairs don’t stick to coffee filters. I have at least 98% success for the last 4 years. I did drop one on the carpet once. But I found it and the root was intact so I grew it anyway. She was fine.

I plant vegetable and herb seeds directly in soil. I also tend to throw out the problem growers instead of baby them and see what I get. They are comparitavely cheap to buy.

I do agree it only saves a day or two with good fresh seeds.

Also if I have old tough to germinate seeds it is easier to help them crack open if necessary with the method I am using than dig up the stalled seeds.
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I get it. It just isn't necessary. You will find out anyways. Only a day or so difference.

You can't see those fine roots with the naked eye. I said its rare. Its just an unnecessary risk. It does allow a place for pathogens in.

Like I said, only fifth graders and cannabis growers do it.

To each their own. A lot of people do it and have success with it.

I know cannabis seeds cost more. With the exception of of stock, I don't want it if it can't break out of its shell and a little soil.

I've also had seeds do weird things in soil. I should've taken a pic of one. The root kept growing but the seed was kind of spinning under the soil. It was a root coiled up when I dug to see what was going on.
 
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