Newbie's please do not germinate you seeds in paper towles. Better Way..

bertaluchi

bertaluchi

Well-Known Member
So I keep hearing about how people try to germinate seeds in wet paper towels. I believe that is the worst way to germinate a seed. Each germinated seed has one main root called a "tap root" This main root is how a small germinating seed first gets its water and nutrients and how it holds itself upright in soil. When you germinate a seed in a wet paper towel that tap root will attach its fine little root hairs to the towel. When you take it for transplant, those small hairs get damaged. Also the tap root can not run deep into the soil like it would in nature. I suggest that you germinate you seeds in a small cup, like a Solo Cup, with only soil in it. You can use coco fiber too if you like. If you want to experiment you can also try rock wool. That is my personal favorite. The problem with rock wool is that it is very sensitive to ph. So if you don't own a ph meter or dont want to go through the hassle of ph adjusting your water, then just put them in soil. Try to find a soil that does not contain fertilizers. I find that roots organic is a good all around soil to grow in but is a bit hot to start seeds in. I would recommend something like sphagnum peat or something of that sort. And remember never use any fertilizers on you young seedlings. And don't over water them. Keep in mind that a 2 inch plant uses a lot less water than a 2 foot plant. Try to let the top couple inches of you soil dry out before you water again. I hope this helps someone. Good Luck Newbies
 
cc2012

cc2012

Well-Known Member
Well I agree IF You are *New to germinating the Paper Towel method can be fraught, but I've had very little problems using this Method, I also soak My beans for 12 hrs in a Cup(not glass) of just above Room Temperature Water and cover, then I place at the Back and top of My Fridge, nice bit of Warm Air rising.

Nothing wrong with just sticking it in soil and just waiting...but I like a little more Control.

Peace
 
MightyMike530

MightyMike530

Well-Known Member
I have also never had an issue with the paper towel method though I do understand why some people are against it. I am moving more towards germinating in soil in the pot I am going to grow in and skipping all the transplanting steps. Its crazy how complicated people can make something so simple and easy.
 
oilmaker68

oilmaker68

Well-Known Member
MightyMike530 said:
I have also never had an issue with the paper towel method though I do understand why some people are against it. I am moving more towards germinating in soil in the pot I am going to grow in and skipping all the transplanting steps. Its crazy how complicated people can make something so simple and easy.
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I tried that but found it difficult to control the moisture. I found it a lot easier in a 1L pot. Plug to 1L pot then 1L pot to 15L pot.
 
MightyMike530

MightyMike530

Well-Known Member
Yes, its a little challenge but I like it because as the pot dries the roots chase the moisture, which influences the plant to grow a dense, strong root system. Healthy roots, healthy fruits. Its really not that hard, just read the plant. When its starts to really droop, water. That establishes your watering time frame, and adjust accordingly as the plant grows.
 
oilmaker68

oilmaker68

Well-Known Member
MightyMike530 said:
Yes, its a little challenge but I like it because as the pot dries the roots chase the moisture, which influences the plant to grow a dense, strong root system. Healthy roots, healthy fruits. Its really not that hard, just read the plant. When its starts to really droop, water. That establishes your watering time frame, and adjust accordingly as the plant grows.
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You obviously have way more experience than me as I'm on my first grow and knew nothing before I started. Only started to make oil for a cancer sufferer in my family. So I had no prior know how. Hopefully I'll get to that level of ability though *bows in awe*
 
MightyMike530

MightyMike530

Well-Known Member
Nah, not really experience homie, just have read a lot and applied it in the short period of time I have been growing. From a biological standpoint it makes a lot of sense to do it that way, so I get it from that angle too. I appreciate the compliment, I just try and not make this stuff complicated. There is a lot of bullshit out there. Keep it simple and you cant go wrong. But also, experiment, these plants can take a lot and will show you what they need if you pay enough attention.
 
oilmaker68

oilmaker68

Well-Known Member
MightyMike530 said:
Nah, not really experience homie, just have read a lot and applied it in the short period of time I have been growing. From a biological standpoint it makes a lot of sense to do it that way, so I get it from that angle too. I appreciate the compliment, I just try and not make this stuff complicated. There is a lot of bullshit out there. Keep it simple and you cant go wrong. But also, experiment, these plants can take a lot and will show you what they need if you pay enough attention.
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Well I am happy to try all methods. I got 10 seeds on the go at the minute so when I'm ready for more I'll put them in big pots and let you know how it goes!! Got some from Amsterdam on a business trip. Can't wait to see them grow ha ha
 
TCortese

TCortese

Well-Known Member
I can see the potential benefit from a few hour water soak, but can I ask whats the reason for the paper towel? I've always wondered that. While I may be new to growing this particular plant, I'm no stranger when it comes to horticulture. So long as I'm not growing a plant that has very specific germination requirements and doesn't need a heating pad, special medium, etc (Tabernanthe Iboga comes to mind), I've always simply planted seeds in the soil (or rockwool if growing hydro) with absolutely no issue.

What purpose does the paper towel serve?
 
oilmaker68

oilmaker68

Well-Known Member
TCortese said:
I can see the potential benefit from a few hour water soak, but can I ask whats the reason for the paper towel? I've always wondered that. While I may be new to growing this particular plant, I'm no stranger when it comes to horticulture. So long as I'm not growing a plant that has very specific germination requirements and doesn't need a heating pad, special medium, etc (Tabernanthe Iboga comes to mind), I've always simply planted seeds in the soil (or rockwool if growing hydro) with absolutely no issue.

What purpose does the paper towel serve?
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Germinating with paper towels raises the success % this, of course, is open to debate. ive found that soaking in a cup of water for 2 hours then placing them between two sheets of moist paper towel at 20c until the tap is showing before putting the seed in a rockwool plug has given me the best rate of success.

others may fair better with different techniques but its a personal choice.

optimal environment + optimal technique = Optimal plant
 
J

Jbone77

Well-Known Member
paper towel method works its just an unnecessary step that raises the likelihood of a fuck up. If the seed will pop in a paper towel it will pop in soil/rockwool, the difference is when it pops in soil it just starts growing, when it pops in a papertowel you need to transplant it, wait for it to recover and start growing again and hope you werent too rough with it. The paper towel method takes longer to get an established seedling also
 
robro

robro

Active Member
I was always terrified of damaging delicate taproots when using the PTM.These beans arnt cheap.The human error factor is always there when using this method.
Now i just put em in a coco plug in a propogator,and if the seed is a viable one,3 days later i have a sprout.
Both methods work,but straight to medium keeps human error to minimum.
 
oilmaker68

oilmaker68

Well-Known Member
Jbone77 said:
paper towel method works its just an unnecessary step that raises the likelihood of a fuck up. If the seed will pop in a paper towel it will pop in soil/rockwool, the difference is when it pops in soil it just starts growing, when it pops in a papertowel you need to transplant it, wait for it to recover and start growing again and hope you werent too rough with it. The paper towel method takes longer to get an established seedling also
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robro said:
I was always terrified of damaging delicate taproots when using the PTM.These beans arnt cheap.The human error factor is always there when using this method.
Now i just put em in a coco plug in a propogator,and if the seed is a viable one,3 days later i have a sprout.
Both methods work,but straight to medium keeps human error to minimum.
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Like i said, up for debate.............i did drop a seed whilst transplanting it to the grow medium, luckily its sprouted ok so im definitely in the market for a better method lol
 
Dr. Who

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
Hmm, The OP express's opinion. That is a staple around here. As you can see, many don't subscribe to his.
I fall into that group also. I have done the PT method for almost 40 years with out a single problem.....If you let them go to far, then yeah you can have troubles. The deal is that I put the container on a seedling heat mat. 24 hrs later 90% have popped and the rest follow the next day. If any go beyond that,,,,I discard them as weak and inferior.
The thing to do is that as soon as they pop, pick them up with tweezers and place them into your next chosen media with the "sprout" pointed down. Mine go into Root Riot cubes and are "up and out" in the next 24 hrs for the most part. Never really had one be "slow" to establish it's root system.

Remember that what works for YOU is just fine!

TCortese said:
I can see the potential benefit from a few hour water soak, but can I ask whats the reason for the paper towel? I've always wondered that. While I may be new to growing this particular plant, I'm no stranger when it comes to horticulture. So long as I'm not growing a plant that has very specific germination requirements and doesn't need a heating pad, special medium, etc (Tabernanthe Iboga comes to mind), I've always simply planted seeds in the soil (or rockwool if growing hydro) with absolutely no issue.

What purpose does the paper towel serve?
Click to expand...
It supplies the constant moisture that helps them pop. Faster if on a seedling heat mat.
 
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