Germination

do you guys germinate your seeds before placing them in the growing medium or put them straight into the soil ? Got some cracking seeds and want to see what you guys recommends best

soil stats : 1/3 perlite / vermiculite / spagnum peatmoss shrimp comport (sterilized at 200C for 30 min mixed with root xtender(microbial life))

water additives: i've also added 1/2 teaspoon molasses and 1/2 table spoon of lactobacillus serum

germinated seedlings in cup of water for 18h then placed in medium seeds popped 48h latter

I plant straight into Miracle Gro Moisture Control potting soil. I know it has nutes but in a little peat cup who gives a poop. On to the seedling heat mat and cover. 2 days later soil is moving. 3rd day they break ground.

never put seeds more then 24h in tap water you can add 1 part 3% peroxide to 10 part tap water for germinating at a higher concentration it kills bacteria you can add up to .05% so 1 part peroxide 5 part water

or paper towel method but in my opinion it must stress seed tap roots

nutriment in soil can burn delicate seedlings roots

i dont have a heat mat but you can put salane rap over container untille seedling pops out to keep humidity up and temperature should be around 25.5C for best results

I have pH down, because my water is 7+ if I make a small solution up and place it in a little shot glass will it be okay ? Or I have seedling soil which has nutes in it but very little to stop seedlings burning, and add some tap water which has been taken down to 6ph I can't really do the cup of water trick due to visitors tomorrow if there is an 18hour window, I ain't as high tech as some of you guys so if it goes straight into seedling soil well moistured it'll be okay ? Don't want to over shot the timing on the cup of water trick and destroy my seed ?

good ph down can be vinegar and backing soda as ph up and you can keep them in water up to 24h and you can add peroxide (drug store 3%) 1 part p to 1 part 10

direct soil:
water soil thoroughly to get at least 50% extra run off add a drop of biodegradable dish washer soap
you can put peroxide up to .05% to keep bacteria off and put humidity dome or salane wrap or plastic baggie

remove humidity dome when seed pop out

dishwasher soap helps water to penetrate soil but you can go without it peroxide too its only additives

http://www.dailysmoker.com/cannabis-grow-guide/germinate-seeds/soil

This link makes a lot of sense to me but I have one plant growing now which I germinated in normal tap water and she's flying up but I'm limited on time with the cup method

People, please! just keep it simple...no need for fancy crap...the rule of thumb is....KISS...Keep It Simple Stupid...soak for 24-48 hours, put in 1 gl pot... by the time it out grows that pot, don't water for a couple of days so soil is dry and place in final grow pot...by not watering for a couple of days the soil dries out a bit and shrinks... so it is easier to take out of the pot and transplant...simple.

If your water has flouride then your best bet is to get a gallon of distilled water from cvs pour a shot glass of water let it sit in a warm dark area (above fridge in cupboard) if not put a cup over it no more than 48 hrs then plant in a pot or solo cup.

B4L

I now keep it as simple as simple can be.
No pre soaking...no paper towel...I put the seed directly into my moistened medium at a depth of apx 1/2 inch...voila...the seedlings pop up in just a few days.
I keep plastic wrap over the moist medium until I see the first sign of sprouting...then I take the plastic wrap off, and I make sure that I keep the seedlings as close as possible to the light, if indoors.
If outdoors, I give the little buggers as much direct sunlight as possible.
Works nicely for me.

Problem with this discussion. Everyone has there own way which is great, but its a never ending debate

Just thought I'd add my two cents and say that I use to germinate in a paper towel but for the past 2 years I'v just planted directly in the pot.

I used to be a fan of the paper towel method, but too much heat or not enough oxygen and you can kill the seeds. I find it's better to go nature's route and plant directly into moist soil. After I started using nature's way I found my seeds broke through soil in about 2-2.5 days avg, 3 days max which has been much quicker than paper towel method which could take that much time just to crack open and have tap root pop out. Directly into soil, don't have to worry about being careful transporting the seed from paper towel into soil.

Sometimes you can't beat nature's way.

Happy growing.

Thats the proper and most natural way 'extrome.

I do however recommmend pre soaking the seeds, for atleast 12 hours. The seed takes up the moisture and doesnt source it from the soil which = quicker germination