Planting Seeds and Germination

For an optimal germination result the seeds should be planted DIRECTLY into the substrate. We clearly advise against using pre-germination methods or soaking. Please do not place the seeds into a glass of water or in moist paper tissues. Due to the firm seed hull and size the seeds may require a slightly longer germination time. Some seeds sprout in record time and others take a bit longer. Once the seedling grows through the substrate it will develop vigorously.

What happens if one uses pre-germination methods?

Soaking seeds in water/wet paper towels is a method only required for old seeds (3+ years) that are drying up and losing germination power; and for pure land race equatorial strains such as from Africa. Both do not apply to our seeds. Fresh seeds have a healthy embryo whose cells are filled with water. Excess water causes the cells to bloat, depletes oxygen and leads to the tissue rotting away before the plant embryo can germinate. Old seeds have lost water, the embryo starts to shrivel, which is why germination rates drop the older the seeds are. These can soak up more water before adverse conditions cause them to rot.

Placing healthy & fresh seeds into water can lead to the development of fungi or bacteria on the seed hull. Lack of oxygen and contaminating substances in the water promote fungal growth which can be transported to the growing medium later on, or the seed simply rots away if left for too long in the water medium.

Once the seed sprouts in a glass of water or paper tissue it already has the taproot growing out of the cracked seed hull. While transplanting the germinated seed it is very difficult to prevent damage to the delicate taproot and also the seedling is "disturbed" in it’s natural development. Many sprouted seedlings handled in this way show retarded development, or even simply fail to appear out of the substrate after transplantation.

Germination

This is totally diferent than what most guides and growers recommend and say for a higher germination percentage.

I thought the Mandala Satori seeds/plants sounds like it gives you a Valium high (anti-Anxiety effect) from its description. This would be an interesting high.

I've used both methods and have had a 100% germination rate so far with seed bank seeds. The Mandala seeds method makes a lot of sense when you consider the reduced risk of damaging the seed by using that method and that it effecitvely mirrors nature.

I think people need to experiment with germination and when they've found a method that works for them - stick to it.

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Mandala Seeds Kalichakra and Satori Grow
Holefillers 0.6gram per watt 64w Micro Grow

But they say that pre-soaking should only be used on older (3+ years) seeds. Whereas, everything I have been reading (guides, forums, etc.) says that pre-soaking (in water, wet paper towels, etc.) is one of the best approaches.

Their is also another Thread that talks about improving the odds of seeds becoming a female. One study says using less lights during the veg. stage (18/6 hours) helps, but another says shorting the veg. stage improves the odds (24/7 hours lights and probably using a MH bulb). Strange.