seeds My Method for Starting Seeds

kentishman · Feb 1, 2019

I took pictures of my method to help a friend and thought they might help out other newbies. The pictures are self explanatory. These seeds are Ashe County Pimiento, which germinates quickly. The seeds germinated in less than 72 hours. I keep them about 3 feet from my wood burning stove, so they stay toasty warm.

The last picture shows a seed on the tip of a paring knife all ready to put in potting soil about 1/4 inch deep.

I had given my friend a lot of old seeds. This method is a good way to see if the seeds are still viable.

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sinensis · Feb 1, 2019

any prep?

washing/soaking in chamomile tea? H2O2?

rghm1u20 · Feb 1, 2019

Hey Tom, nice tip for newbies, but also for others who didn't tried this yet.
Did ya ever used it with wilds?

kentishman · Feb 1, 2019

sinensis, no prepping of these seeds. I have used chamomile tea in the past.

Adrian, Ive never tried growing wilds.

Mr. West · Feb 1, 2019

I've been using this method. I soak in plain water first. It's even faster.

Blitz527 · Feb 1, 2019

I've don't whe whole paper towel in a bag thing for a while, is this a better way? Also for those who soak seeds, how long do you soak them before using a method like this one?

kentishman · Feb 1, 2019

Blitz, this is the simplest method I have found.

Hawkins · Feb 2, 2019

I'm trying the paper towel method with some datils beside my xbox for heat now, no luck after a few days.

Also what part of SC you from?

Walchit · Feb 2, 2019

This is my preferred method as well.

Cause you can put them in trays as they sprout and have more uniform sized plants in each tray.

Then water needs of the tray aren't that different for each plant.

Mr. West · Feb 2, 2019

Blitz527 said:
I've don't whe whole paper towel in a bag thing for a while, is this a better way? Also for those who soak seeds, how long do you soak them before using a method like this one?

My growdown seeds took 2.5 days to root (including the 24 hour soak). Then I put them in cups of potting mix. They took a total of 6 days to hook.

kentishman · Feb 2, 2019

Hi Hawkins! Im in Oconee County, northwest corner of SC, near Clemson.

Hawkins · Feb 2, 2019

kentishman said:
Hi Hawkins! Im in Oconee County, northwest corner of SC, near Clemson.

Nice I'm about an hour or so from you in SC, but very close to Charlotte, NC.

Ghost Pepper Revolution · Feb 2, 2019

Ill have to try it, I usually use a water/peroxide 24 hr soak which has been working well too. Whatever makes germination better :beer:

CMJ · Feb 3, 2019

I use this same method. Saves a lot of time opening bags and unfolding paper towels to check for sprouts. It seems that I always have a few stubborn varieties that don't want to germinate uncovered, so I will throw a layer of paper towel on those to get them to pop.

Oleic · Feb 5, 2019

Thank you for posting this. You inspired me to do something similar this year. I had been using Rockwool with bottom water in Grodan trays, but they grew at different rates and some would drink all the water before I noticed! This lets me see the water level, and give them more individual attention.

Oleic · Feb 5, 2019

btw, these are 5.5 oz cups and 1.5" cubes.