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Paper towel germination

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1Paper towel germination Empty Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:04 am

Sweetened

Sweetened
Full Time Member
Full Time Member

Does anyone germinate using paper towels, where you put them in a ziplock bag while damp with seeds in the middle in a warm spot?

I'm curious about this. What have you found to be the advantages/disadvantages?

http://steadfastfarm.wordpress.com/

2Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:22 am

authenticfarm

authenticfarm
Golden Member
Golden Member

That's how we check seed quality of our wheat etc. before we put it in the ground. Put a set number (25) to germinate, then count how many sprout, gives us our % of germination.

http://www.partridgechanteclers.com

3Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:15 am

Schipperkesue

Schipperkesue
Golden Member
Golden Member

Also used commonly in elementary school science classes!

4Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 1:26 pm

Sweetened

Sweetened
Full Time Member
Full Time Member

Yeah, I know it's good for germination rates. I also read that you can get BETTER germination rates this way. I'm just trying to figure if it can lead to hardier plants, though I'm not sure it would have an effect on that.

I SUCK at getting strong, beefy seedlings. Light is my primary issue, but I NEVER get it right (ever). So, I'm grasping at straws.

http://steadfastfarm.wordpress.com/

5Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 1:31 pm

authenticfarm

authenticfarm
Golden Member
Golden Member

Mine are always weedy, too. My house sucks for light.

http://www.partridgechanteclers.com

6Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 1:32 pm

Sweetened

Sweetened
Full Time Member
Full Time Member

Last year, I even tried where you have the grow lights hanging less than a cm from the developing seedling, timers and all, still spindly as all mess. Fans, shaking, blowing, throwing, smashing and dropping, all ineffective.

http://steadfastfarm.wordpress.com/

7Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 4:05 pm

Guest


Guest

The method works great for starting seeds ( I put mine on the fridge towards the back where there is more heat coming over the top ) , as far as stronger goes ? but the most important part as you said is light ! If your plants start looking to thin and gangly then nip off the tops before they get to tall , this will put the energy back into what's left and it should give a stronger stem which will lead to a more leafy and sturdier plant ............hope that helps a bit .

8Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 4:27 pm

Guest


Guest

Halogen, incandescent, fluorescent? Will any of these work?

9Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 5:07 pm

Schipperkesue

Schipperkesue
Golden Member
Golden Member

I have found three things that will make strong, stocky seedlings.

1. High light. I use fluorescent and move the seedlings so the tops are almost touching the light.

2. Cool temperatures. I keep my seedlings in the basement where the temp is around 50 degrees F.

3. Abuse. Yes, abuse. A stem will grow slowly and stay thick if you knock it around a little. I use a paper tube and brush the tops of the plants back and forth in a fan motion twice a day, about 40 times. The bending back and forth of the stem causes it to grow slowly and thickly.

10Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:09 pm

Guest


Guest

Schipperkesue wrote:I have found three things that will make strong, stocky seedlings.

1.  High light.  I use fluorescent and move the seedlings so the tops are almost touching the light.

2.  Cool temperatures.  I keep my seedlings in the basement where the temp is around 50 degrees F.  

3.  Abuse.  Yes, abuse.  A stem will grow slowly and stay thick if you knock it around a little.  I use a paper tube and brush the tops of the plants back and forth in a fan motion twice a day, about 40 times.  The bending back and forth of the stem causes it to grow slowly and thickly.

I have never heard of #3......... ? interesting ?

11Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:23 pm

Schipperkesue

Schipperkesue
Golden Member
Golden Member

Brushing your seedlings....

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

You can also use a fan, but I don't like to because it dries the soil too quickly.

12Paper towel germination Empty Re: Paper towel germination Sun Apr 13, 2014 7:24 am

yardbirds23

yardbirds23
Member
Member

Schipperkesue wrote:Brushing your seedlings....

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

You can also use a fan, but I don't like to because it dries the soil too quickly.

I agree, the soil does dry more quickly, however, if you are diligent in providing moisture, the root systems are bigger because the seedlings seek moisture.   Very Happy

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