I'm Going Insane

Gmz

Gmz

Well-Known Member
I just can't get over how much water is too much for my germinated seeds, and how much water is too little, it's driving me nuts! It's actually bringing me anxiety, i don't think it'll go away till they come up to see the light :(, just so anxious about these, was my first seeds i bought. Also, i put my seeds in the soil, then watered them..... This 1 dude said the soil most likely compacted around the seed and it might take twice as long. But despite the soil being compacted, the seed will eventually pop up right?
 
Gmz

Gmz

Well-Known Member
bobbypyn said:
it should, provided the media isn't rock hard on top. good luck!
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Well i put a bunch of perlite in the soil to help prevent soil compaction, but i guess it didn't help :(. I'm only misting the top of the soil once in a while to water them so i don't compact it further more.
 
bobbypyn

bobbypyn

Well-Known Member
you're straight. just try to keep it on the warmer side & that'll help pop em. DO NOT LET THEM DRY OUT AT ANY COST!!! humidity dome is your friend for poppin seeds but dont leave it on after they break the surface.
 
Gmz

Gmz

Well-Known Member
bobbypyn said:
you're straight. just try to keep it on the warmer side & that'll help pop em. DO NOT LET THEM DRY OUT AT ANY COST!!! humidity dome is your friend for poppin seeds but dont leave it on after they break the surface.
Click to expand...
I've heard saran wrap, does that work? And i've done this before..... And when the seedling came up it like instantly died lol, i just gotta be right on it if i decide to :D.
 
kizzzzurt

kizzzzurt

Active Member
Just use the paper towel trick. I just germinated like.. 15/18 mystery bag seeds. Then put them into the medium.
 
G

Guest Guest

Active Member
The first time I germinated seeds, I lost several due to overwatering. With some time, I had to create a foolproof tutorial for germination (for myself!), and now I have 100% with good fresh seeds.

I don't use the paper towel method, only special germination substrate. In my area I can get PGX for germination, it contains peat and vermiculite, and works very very well, but It can hold a lot of moisture, so I do as it follows:

-Take 50% of the substrate and slowly add water until it is saturated. At this point, the medium can no longer hold more moisture, and starts to drip.
-Take the other 50% (which is dry), and mix it with the first half (the moist one). Mix it well and you will get the perfect amoint of moisture in your medium. Depending on your medium, you can try 40%-60%.

Next, pick a hole 0.5-1cm deep and put your seed in there. Cover it gently and add 5 drops of water over the covered seed (only 5 drops!). You don't need to add more moisture for the next 3-5 days. If the medium surface starts to dry (and only if it starts to dry), spray a very little amount of water till it gets moist again, back to the original moisture content (50-50, only experience will tell).

Also, it is very important that you prepare your medium only when it is going to be used, otherwise the ph will climb due to activation of limestone (PGX contains limestone).
 
max316420

max316420

Well-Known Member
how long have they been germ'in? And nothing against the above poster but stick to soil, its alot easier and more forgiving. Some seeds can take upwards of 3 weeks to germinate. Be patient and the will eventually pop.. And the plastic wrap works well for keeping your soil moist, put it over the top and the put a rubber band to secure it. Once it pops make sure you get rid of the plastic wrap.
 
Gmz

Gmz

Well-Known Member
Probably should made this more clear, the seeds already germinated and i planted them........ Don't bash on me for this 1 please, but i planted them in 5 gallon buckets lol... Really wish i hadn't.... Is it possible to dig the seed up and plant it in a small cup without damaging it? Or should i just leave it in there with the saran wrap over it?
 
Gmz

Gmz

Well-Known Member
Well i got the saran wrap over the pots now, i stepped on a shard of glass, pulled it out with tweezers and just starting seeping blood all over lol.
 
Gmz

Gmz

Well-Known Member
What's the longest anyone's seed took to come through the soil? Knowing that might calm me down lol.
 
maps84

maps84

Well-Known Member
max316420 said:
how long have they been germ'in? And nothing against the above poster but stick to soil, its alot easier and more forgiving. Some seeds can take upwards of 3 weeks to germinate. Be patient and the will eventually pop.. And the plastic wrap works well for keeping your soil moist, put it over the top and the put a rubber band to secure it. Once it pops make sure you get rid of the plastic wrap.
Click to expand...
That's an excellent Idea, give it a try

The longest: I've had plants in the germinating stage for over a month, it's frustrating
 
Gmz

Gmz

Well-Known Member
Alright thanks guys, the plastic wrap definitely is keeping the soil moist, before the top dried out within like 30 minutes.
 
maps84

maps84

Well-Known Member
I'm gonna do the wrap thing and germinate in perlite only to see how it goes. I have some bag seeds lying around to kid with
 
jesco51

jesco51

Active Member
Guest Guest said:
The first time I germinated seeds, I lost several due to overwatering. With some time, I had to create a foolproof tutorial for germination (for myself!), and now I have 100% with good fresh seeds.

I don't use the paper towel method, only special germination substrate. In my area I can get PGX for germination, it contains peat and vermiculite, and works very very well, but It can hold a lot of moisture, so I do as it follows:

-Take 50% of the substrate and slowly add water until it is saturated. At this point, the medium can no longer hold more moisture, and starts to drip.
-Take the other 50% (which is dry), and mix it with the first half (the moist one). Mix it well and you will get the perfect amoint of moisture in your medium. Depending on your medium, you can try 40%-60%.

Next, pick a hole 0.5-1cm deep and put your seed in there. Cover it gently and add 5 drops of water over the covered seed (only 5 drops!). You don't need to add more moisture for the next 3-5 days. If the medium surface starts to dry (and only if it starts to dry), spray a very little amount of water till it gets moist again, back to the original moisture content (50-50, only experience will tell).

Also, it is very important that you prepare your medium only when it is going to be used, otherwise the ph will climb due to activation of limestone (PGX contains limestone).
Click to expand...
holy crap...i just toss em on some wet paper towel. Once there germed make a small hole in the soil, plant seed, cover it with soil, keep it moist. Few days later you have sprouts.
 
max316420

max316420

Well-Known Member
Ive had em take a little over 3 weeks. But from now on get you some plastic cups and germ in them, alot easier. Big pots will take to long to dry out and will suffucate your baby. You want the soil to dry out once it pops so the roots " go looking " for water and grow in the process. and do you have them under lights? I noticed that you said the top of the soil is drying out rather quickly? If you do have lights on them, shut them off til they come thru the soil
 
Gmz

Gmz

Well-Known Member
max316420 said:
Ive had em take a little over 3 weeks. But from now on get you some plastic cups and germ in them, alot easier. Big pots will take to long to dry out and will suffucate your baby. You want the soil to dry out once it pops so the roots " go looking " for water and grow in the process. and do you have them under lights? I noticed that you said the top of the soil is drying out rather quickly? If you do have lights on them, shut them off til they come thru the soil
Click to expand...
Oh for real? I thought i had to keep the lights on, i'll turn them off :).
 
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