germin'

hey all, I have absolutely no experience with seeds...all i know is from what ive read and been told from the vets...i dropped my seeds in a shotglass to let em soak, from what ive researched it takes anywhere from 12 to 24 hours before they sink....however it they dont sink within 24 hours am i screwed? or should i keep soakin or just throw em in the dome? i kinda wish i woulda just used the paper towel method lol!

morreallyrics said:

hey all, I have absolutely no experience with seeds...all i know is from what ive read and been told from the vets...i dropped my seeds in a shotglass to let em soak, from what ive researched it takes anywhere from 12 to 24 hours before they sink....however it they dont sink within 24 hours am i screwed? or should i keep soakin or just throw em in the dome? i kinda wish i woulda just used the paper towel method lol!

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You can still put them in a warm wet paper towel instead and wait for them to crack. Just be very careful when the first root comes out it breaks off way too easy.

I do what Man O' the Green does.
It grows faster once in the soil to me.

so when the root comes out do i put in the pot root down or up??? the method im using says knot facing down....what do u suggest???

connorbrown said:

I do what Man O' the Green does.
It grows faster once in the soil to me.

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There is no good answer to that question.
Its been a big war for many years.
Some people say up so it goes straight up, some say down for a stronger root. I honestly have no idea so I just drop it in.
My plants always turn out fine, just make sure you use clean hands or sterilized tweezers.

morreallyrics said:

so when the root comes out do i put in the pot root down or up??? the method im using says knot facing down....what do u suggest???

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NOT FACEING DOWN thats a new one to me?? all seeds sprout with there shhots down then push them self's up.
if there not sunk after 24hrs just give them a light sanding with a bit of sandpaper then water should be absorbed and they will sink, had to do it with a few of my beans. hope this helps at all

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geotropism

Gravitropism (or geotropism) is a turning or growth movement by a plant or fungus in response to gravity. Charles Darwin was one of the first to scientifically document that roots show positive gravitropism and stems show negative gravitropism.

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Sorry if I state the obvious, but it is quite interesting.

The very first white part to be exposed will be the root, you should place it root-tip down if it has a direction yet. ( that is assuming that you have a strong source of gravity near by, like the earth )
If it's not pointing down, it will soon, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Trying to get it perfect can break it.
Its not necessary to fully see the root before you plant, but you often will, since they usually go fast once they are wet.
happy growing !

morreallyrics said:

hey all, I have absolutely no experience with seeds...all i know is from what ive read and been told from the vets...i dropped my seeds in a shotglass to let em soak, from what ive researched it takes anywhere from 12 to 24 hours before they sink....however it they dont sink within 24 hours am i screwed? or should i keep soakin or just throw em in the dome? i kinda wish i woulda just used the paper towel method lol!

Click to expand...

I have had seeds soak for 7 days before cracking. once crack put into your favorite mix. Don't worry they will sink, even if they don't crack they will sink. Depends on how viable the seeds are as far as how long till they crack. I've had it happen in 12 hrs before.

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I haven't invented anything new but I follow these steps every time I germinate seeds and I've got a near 100% success rate. Hopefully someone will find this useful.

I like it because it's simple (1 step), fast, safe, and I don't have to handle the sprouts. I usually get sprouts popping the surface in 2-3 days, the shortest around 30 hours and the longest 3.5 days.


Plastic cup (16-20oz)
Pro Mix (non fertilized soil less)
Distilled water
Magnifying glass (or good eyes)
Bic pen refill
Glad Press and Seal wrap (crinkled)
Tablespoon
Masking Tape
Sharp poking tool (knife, scissors)

1. Mix Pro Mix normally - enough distilled water so the mix holds together when squeezed in one hand but not so much water that it drips.

2. Poke holes in bottom of cup. Fill cups with Pro Mix, put hand over top and shake up and down to get rid of air holes. Pat the top of the pro mix in cup down gently. Fill to 1" below the cup top - room for the sprout to grow if it comes up when you're not around; and to put in more Pro Mix if the stem stretches. Label each cup with masking tape before putting the seed in. I use different colored cups for different strains as well.

3. With the writing tip of the pen poke a hole in the center of the pro mix, about 1/8". Not deep, just a starter hole. The seed will do the rest of the work.

4. Using good eyes or the magnifying glass find the scalloped (opens) and dimpled (hing) sides of the seed. Poke the scalloped end into the pro mix - I find it easiest to put the seed between the thumb and index finger and gently squeeze it in. Don't push far, just until it stays upright.

5. Recheck the seed to be sure the dimple side is up.

6. Using the open tube end of the pen refill push the dimpled end of the seed down until it is 1/16-1/8" below the surface. Using the pen refill skuff up the pro mix until 1/8" is over the seed dimple. Loose and airy is good.

7. Sprinkle 3 tablespoons of distilled water over the top of the pro mix. Do NOT uncover the seed.

8. Rip off a piece of Glad Press and Seal wrap, tear it's length in two so you have a square, and wrap over the top of cup making a complete seal.

9. Place the cup minimum flower distance from your light in your flower room. The heat from the light will act like a steamer with the distilled water and the seed; the (12 on/12 off) cycle of the light will mimic nature; the crinkled Glad wrap will keep the moisture and heat in and diffuse the light.

10. After the first day pull back the Glad Wrap a couple of times a day to look for sprouting.

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I use pro-mix but for starting seeds I think it's a bit coarse. I like Farfard, but really and super fine mix will do.