Germination - a few questions. Thanks

I'm using the paper towel method (see below) but I have several questions first. This is my first germination attempt and I have 21 seeds which I'm keen not to screw up

The questions:

Should I place the seeds in the fridge first to simulate winter ? How long for?

How long should I soak first ? I read upto 12 hours.

When in paper towels do they need to be in a dark place ?


The method I'll be using:
1.Line an airtight Tupperware container with several paper towels soaked/sprayed lightly in water slightly warmer then room tempreture

2. Place the seed(s) onto the damp paper-towels and cover them with a couple damp paper-towel.

3.Use warm water slightly higher than room tempreture.

4.Close the tupperware container to retain heat. Open every 6 /12 hours to check & allow oxygen through and look for moderate condensation, this will relay that there is an adequate level of humidity

5.Place in a warm location. (TV, fridge, Router, heat pad)

6. Wait. Worry. Smoke a joint.

Thanks folks

have you considered putting them right in the soil on a heat mat on the lowest setting w/a towel or something between the containers and mat so it doesnt get too hot? It's the fastest and easiest method out there imo and you need to do alot less work and dont have to worry about doing something wrong or something going wrong in the process, or are you planning on hydro?

darkdestruction420 said:

have you considered putting them right in the soil on a heat mat on the lowest setting w/a towel or something between the containers and mat so it doesnt get too hot? It's the fastest and easiest method out there imo and you need to do alot less work and dont have to worry about doing something wrong or something going wrong in the process, or are you planning on hydro?

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I'm planning on organic soil grow. I'm worried that a soil germination has more failure variables ? Where do I get a heat mat from ?

soak the seeds in a glass of water until they sink and then plant them an inch into soil. Best way in my opinion...

StonedBlownSkiller said:

soak the seeds in a glass of water until they sink and then plant them an inch into soil. Best way in my opinion...

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I do this but i wait for taproots to show before planting them.

most big box stores carry them or you can look at pet stores. Nah, soil is as simple as it can be. put the seed in the soil about 1- 1 1/2 inches or so in and put on the mat and give it a few days and you'll see em poking up. Keep the top few inches of the soil moist if your soil drys out really fast(dont go overboard though), after you see em poking up let the soil dry out enogh between waterings.

darkdestruction420 said:

most big box stores carry them or you can look at pet stores. Nah, soil is as simple as it can be. put the seed in the soil about 1- 1 1/2 inches or so in and put on the mat and give it a few days and you'll see em poking up. Keep the top few inches of the soil moist if your soil drys out really fast(dont go overboard though), after you see em poking up let the soil dry out enogh between waterings.

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Thanks I'll pop down the pet shop and get a heat mat, I guess the ones they use for reptiles would be suitable ? I'll soak then put it in soil. I'm quite nervous about doing this though. I might try it with one seed first and see how it goes rather then all 21.

I read that some people stick em in the fridge first ?

Thanks

wyteberrywidow said:

I do this but i wait for taproots to show before planting them.

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correct.... It works fine OP, No worries...If they sink than that means they have full potential to open and sprout. So once sank for a couple hours I plant.....Most wait for roots to show though but either way is optimum....

they probally do, but while their idea and the reasoning does sound good its not needed at all, just wastes time it could of been in the soil starting to germinate.(this is in regard to the fridge idea. Not the putting them in water part.

darkdestruction420 said:

they probally do, but while their idea and the reasoning does sound good its not needed at all, just wastes time it could of been in the soil starting to germinate.(this is in regard to the fridge idea. Not the putting them in water part.

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Ok. Thanks. I think I'm being ultra careful because in the past I've tried to germinate, failed and given up. This time I'm researching obessively. Plus the seeds cost £55.

Thanks

PS Once they sprout whats the best soil to put them in ?

darkdestruction420 said:

they probally do, but while their idea and the reasoning does sound good its not needed at all, just wastes time it could of been in the soil starting to germinate.(this is in regard to the fridge idea. Not the putting them in water part.

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+rep for ya

StonedBlownSkiller said:

correct.... It works fine OP, No worries...If they sink than that means they have full potential to open and sprout. So once sank for a couple hours I plant.....Most wait for roots to show though but either way is optimum....

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Ill give you some when i can.I must have gave you some recently.

ive been using fox farm ocean forest mixed with 25% of containers size in pearlite or 25% of the containers size of fox farm light warrior. for example a one gallon pot would be .75 gallon of fox farm ocean forest mixed with .25 gallon of fox farm light warrior or pearlite. im also hearing alot of good things about roots organic soil too and i intend to try it out soon but i havent yet so i cant really offer anything from personal experience about it.