I found quite a few threads regarding germinating seeds in condiment cups and rather than bringing up threads from '09, '11 or older I will share some thoughts here.
I started in the Rootmaker 32 and 60 cell 10x20's 12/16/22 and I was frustrated with how few seeds germinated and liked the idea of seeing with my eyes the progress. So I switched to ziploc bags with a half paper towel folded in half and laid them on a heat mat, probably 10 bags total and I am sure that would have worked fine but being a Youtube junky I kept searching for options. When I saw a guy using the condiment cups several thoughts came to mind, I can germinate a lot of seeds in a small space and see every seed easily and don't have to layer bags and don't have to mess with sticking my hand in the bags.
I found mine at Wally World, about 3.44 for 50 and they are certainly available for less.
I cut paper towel discs to fit and the very first lesson, one layer dries out overnight with the water vapor condensing on the lid. So I went to three layers and stretched it to 2-3 days so I went to five layers. The layered towels hold a lot of water and the top layer stays moist to wet.
I poked a small hole with a drywall screw it the groove of each lid and can add a little water in the groove if I don't want to pop the tops.
A 10x20 tray on a heat mat holds a lot of cups, I don't have a count right now but probably 5 or 6 rows of 15. The tray adds some level of protection from overheating and I keep the dome on to hold the air temperature reasonably constant.
Label the sides but I learned to also label the top so when I am pressed for time and want to check a few varieties.
It takes only a few minutes with a strong light to check seeds in the morning, tap or shake the cup to knock some water back to the bottom and look for roots. I normally do this early in the morning drinking my coffee and watching the news before I head to work.
My girlfriend was not having a lot of success either so bought more seeds for her and was amazed to see flower seeds germinate in three days, Cosmos if I remember correctly or maybe Zinnia.
Equally gratifying.....dropping a germinated seed in soil, lightly covering it having a sprout in days!
I started in the Rootmaker 32 and 60 cell 10x20's 12/16/22 and I was frustrated with how few seeds germinated and liked the idea of seeing with my eyes the progress. So I switched to ziploc bags with a half paper towel folded in half and laid them on a heat mat, probably 10 bags total and I am sure that would have worked fine but being a Youtube junky I kept searching for options. When I saw a guy using the condiment cups several thoughts came to mind, I can germinate a lot of seeds in a small space and see every seed easily and don't have to layer bags and don't have to mess with sticking my hand in the bags.
I found mine at Wally World, about 3.44 for 50 and they are certainly available for less.
Great Value Everyday Disposable Plastic Cups, Clear, 2 oz, 50 Count - Walmart.com
Buy Great Value Everyday Disposable Plastic Cups, Clear, 2 oz, 50 Count at Walmart.com
www.walmart.com
I cut paper towel discs to fit and the very first lesson, one layer dries out overnight with the water vapor condensing on the lid. So I went to three layers and stretched it to 2-3 days so I went to five layers. The layered towels hold a lot of water and the top layer stays moist to wet.
I poked a small hole with a drywall screw it the groove of each lid and can add a little water in the groove if I don't want to pop the tops.
A 10x20 tray on a heat mat holds a lot of cups, I don't have a count right now but probably 5 or 6 rows of 15. The tray adds some level of protection from overheating and I keep the dome on to hold the air temperature reasonably constant.
Label the sides but I learned to also label the top so when I am pressed for time and want to check a few varieties.
It takes only a few minutes with a strong light to check seeds in the morning, tap or shake the cup to knock some water back to the bottom and look for roots. I normally do this early in the morning drinking my coffee and watching the news before I head to work.
My girlfriend was not having a lot of success either so bought more seeds for her and was amazed to see flower seeds germinate in three days, Cosmos if I remember correctly or maybe Zinnia.
Equally gratifying.....dropping a germinated seed in soil, lightly covering it having a sprout in days!
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