CaretakerDad
Well-Known Member
So.....yesterday morning I went out to my hoophouse with 7 newly sprouted seeds with tap roots 1/8" - 1/4" long. I use the paper towel in a ziploc baggie on the cable box method with almost 100% success, and have done so for many years. I have a long bench built for starting seeds ( vegetable/flower ) in trays with an oil filled heater on its side underneath for heat which works great. I noticed that I had inadvertently left it off the day before and it was a little cool in the hoophouse. I turned it back on an put a 72 cell seed starting tray on top and spread out the baggies on the tray to keep them warm while I went in for fresh coffee. When I returned, to my horror, the heater had gotten quite hot and started to melt the plastic tray in about a 12" circle where the baggies were. I removed them immediately and opened the baggies to find steam 
rising from the paper towels. I left them open to cool for a few moments and closed them up while still slightly warm. I then prepared solo cups and planted them immediately. Only time will tell and I expect to start finding out by tomorrow but I thought I would give folks a chance to chime in on the chances they survived. Please spare me the snarky comments about the paper towel germination method, I just like to play with my babies. Wish me luck. 
rising from the paper towels. I left them open to cool for a few moments and closed them up while still slightly warm. I then prepared solo cups and planted them immediately. Only time will tell and I expect to start finding out by tomorrow but I thought I would give folks a chance to chime in on the chances they survived. Please spare me the snarky comments about the paper towel germination method, I just like to play with my babies. Wish me luck. 
Their counterparts, lucky enough to sprout later in the day, have already broken soil and are lifting their little heads. I lost the following, please curse me openly for the abuse and pray for their little souls:
)