Germinating with sponges = mold?

SraGreen · #1 06-15-2008, 05:25 AM

Okay you guys, this is my first grow. I read online about two methods of germination: the paper towel, and the sponge. Well, I chose the latter. And, foolish me, I didn't have all of my grow room set up before I began the germination.

The seeds germinated, had about a 3/4 inch root, and I didn't have any soil. They seemed content with the sponge, as I had added a bit of plant nutrients into the water.

Then, the sprouts lost their seeds completely. While still in the sponge. And I still had no soil.

By the time I got the soil, the seedling already had its first leaves...and one of the leaves looks diseased. Could mold from a constantly-wet sponge destroy my plant?

-Toke On

Twistyman · #2 06-15-2008, 05:37 AM

Where did you hear about sponges ???? How are you going to remove the sprout
without tearing the roots......and if you're planning on planting sponge ?? NO NO NO.......Just germinate with paper towels..Not toilet pap. it dissolves.. In paper towels you can see which are the best & strongest growing...pick those 1st
IMO

crazy-mental · #3 06-15-2008, 05:38 AM

best way to germ, is paper towel or t.roll.
damp and leave in a p.bag or cd case.
also i keep mine on the cable box where its warmer they love it at 70deg.

crazy-mental · #4 06-15-2008, 05:39 AM

no dont use sponges cos the tap root will go into the sponge and snap off when you try to remove it, stick with papertowel.
works every time.

crazy-mental · #5 06-15-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twistyman

Where did you hear about sponges ???? How are you going to remove the sprout
without tearing the roots......and if you're planning on planting sponge ?? NO NO NO.......Just germinate with paper towels..Not toilet pap. it dissolves.. In paper towels you can see which are the best & strongest growing...pick those 1st
IMO

depends on how cheap your t.roll is mine dont dissolve. but paper.t.method. is always best.

ganjagoddess · #6 06-15-2008, 07:19 AM

Do you by any chance mean Rockwool not sponge????

darksys · #7 06-15-2008, 07:21 AM

get 2 ciramic plates put a wet paper towel on one plate and get another towel put it on top put the plates together and BAM you got seedlings

darksys · #8 06-15-2008, 07:23 AM

get everything you need next time 2 lights ask someone what is the best light for your garden Soil pots

thegigglepimp · #9 06-15-2008, 08:10 AM

Its probably not mold its probably nute burn from adding nutes this early. And no dont use sponge i dont know where you found that. Paper towel and water all the way!

SraGreen · #10 06-15-2008, 09:35 PM

I used the sponge because it allowed the seedlings to grow straight down...

I basically cut straight down into the sponge, creating a perfect pocket for seedlings. I wrapped a rubber band around the top of the sponge to keep the two halves from falling apart. The wet sponge can be placed upright in a warm environment (in a shoe box under my laptop) for a couple of days.

Everything would have been fine, I'm sure of it, if it weren't for my lack of preparedness. It's all up and running now, oscillating fan and mylar-backed, light-sealing material in place.

Do you think it'll still grow?