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

My method to jump start the germination process of VIABLE seeds:

Day 1 - Soak the seeds in water in a blacked out cup, cover top, and place it somewhere warm (I like to place it on top of my 1000 watt light with a layer between the cup and the hood) - 12 hours later, seed cracks and tap root exposed.

Day 2 - Place seed on paper towel, moist (not soak) the towel and place it back into blacken cup, cover and place it back to warm spot - 36 hours later, tap root grow out about 1/2" - 1".

Day 3 - Plant seedlings with tap root point down, into a 1 gallon pot filled with a good seedling mix (I use ProMix HP w/ Myco) and water w/ AT LEAST 1 shot glass of water (They seriously DO NOT need much water) and place under 1000 watt light - 24 hours later, seedlings breaks ground.

It's not complicated. It takes a whopping 3 days from seed to sprout. And I didn't even have to check every 5 minutes. It is "set it and forget" simple.

Banner should read: "Fellow Newbie's please do not germinate you seeds in paper towles. Better Way."

BigSteve..

Used PT method for years. Never had a problem. Since I always seem to be successful never seen a reason to try another method.

bertaluchi said:

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

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the trick to not getting those little hairs stuck on the towle is to not let the root get to long.. Tue first 16thin is smooth once its gets to about a half inch those little hairs show.

I only really use the paper towle method to get the seed to crack.
that way I don't waste any mdium

If you leave it in the PT too long and the tap root starts growing into the paper towel or sticking to it, just cut around it and plant it.

bigsteve said:

Banner should read: "Fellow Newbie's please do not germinate you seeds in paper towles. Better Way."

BigSteve..

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Why is that BigSteve?

Tell the truth I thought poster had some nerve with the banner. Poster has been here 15 months and announces "the" way to germ seeds. Some of his advice is dubious at best -- starting in a one-gallon pot will slow your grow. People will burn their seedlings trying to germ on top of a hot bulb. It may work for him, but there is no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater. I've used the paper towel method for decades and still find it the easiest and fastest way to germ. Works for me.

BigSteve.

I don't get it. Cannabis is the only thing people do this with.
I plant hundreds of different vegetable seeds in the garden with out paper towel.