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Upstate S.C.

I just wanted to share something with everyone. I have been praticeing starting seeds for the last couple of weeks, and haven't had good success. I have tried anything and everything to bring my germination success rate up, and I finally belive I have found just the right device. While walking thru wal-mart I notice a device that keeps baby whipes warm. There is a sponge that you put in water, and then ring out and place in the bottem of the device, and the wipes go in next. The sponge keeps everything moist. The device heats ups to 90%. I knew when I saw this thing it would work and low and behold IT DOES. I filed my seeds and place in water overnight and the next day I place the seeds in a damp paper towel and place in the pre-heated warmer. They ALL had roots with in ONE DAY. If anyone whats pic's just let me know.

2/9/2009 10:32:02 PM

Okla

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=105705

2/9/2009 11:10:42 PM

Rhode Island

great piece of information. theres always a better way to make a light bulb. i like what you have mentioned here to everyone. soumds like a cant miss method.
certainly better than a wet paper towel inside a sandwich bag sitting on top of the warm base,
i like the fact that it keeps the heat at a steady warm moist temp.
much in the same manner that heating cables below ground in early spring keeps the soil at 72 degrees.
pap

2/9/2009 11:24:19 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

That sounds a lot better than my 'sproutenator' I am going to check that out. Thanks!

2/10/2009 1:18:36 AM

Ontario, Canada.

The pill box method I developed a few years worked best for me. There are a few other growers using it to start seeds.

"I have run some germination tests using my pill box method and found that on all of my 2007 fruit germination is nearly 100% on the selected seeds....Two seeds were inserted into each compartment of the pill boxes and left to germinate."

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=77660

2/10/2009 5:23:38 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

My first year I couldn't germinate a seed if I tried, I was trying every method that I had heard of and read about...finally some guy told me (and this is almost verbatim) "stop trying to be fancy and put the seed in some soil and let it germinate" so I took this mean guys advice, I filed the seeds, I soaked them, I put them in moistened soil on a heat mat and covered the pots with plastic wrap like this guy told me.....within 3-5 days...we had lift off...I've been doing it this way ever since and have been really successful.
Thanks Glenn.

2/10/2009 6:20:40 AM

Upstate S.C.

PAP, your 100% right. Thats exactly what it does. Its insolated and air tight. I'm telling you this is a GREAT find. I checked the temp. through out the day and it stays between 85% and 90% NO HIGHIER. I will post picks later on my diary.

2/10/2009 2:20:47 PM

Ohio

what do you pay for one of them warmers?

2/10/2009 2:26:53 PM

Upstate S.C.

Brooks, you have mail, The device was less than 20 buck and you can find them back in the baby stuff next to the whipes, I am posting the pics now to my diary everyone go take a look at this amazing thing....O and by the way I found this thing while walking thru walmart I had no idea the POT HEADS beat me to it....HOWEVER im telling you it work for pumpkins and it work great....

2/10/2009 2:30:04 PM

Upstate S.C.

It looks like the device is made by EVER-FRESH, thats the only name I can find...

2/10/2009 2:38:47 PM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

I went and got one at lunch and will try it this week. Now my wife can't complain that I have the camping cooler full of seeds and a light - LOL

Kirk

2/10/2009 2:46:36 PM

Northern Cambria, Pa.

http://www.princelionheart.com/site/instructions_pdfs/0231.pdf

2/10/2009 2:48:18 PM

Upstate S.C.

Icheckon, this is it..this is the one I have...The pic's have been loaded and should be posted soon...

2/10/2009 2:56:53 PM

Frankfort Ohio

good idea now i have a use for that warmer my wife bought and never used thanks i will give it a try

2/10/2009 4:01:36 PM

Santa Rosa, CA

SCTROOPER,

It looks like Larry (lcheckon) found the one we have at the Wal Mart near us. "Prince Lionheart Ultimate Wipes Warmer" for $19.96. There is also a "Munchkin Warm Glow Wipes Warmer" for the same price but it is out of stock here. Perhaps both aren't stocked at all Wal Mart stores.

My wife is going to think I really flipped when she sees this thing!

Chuck

2/10/2009 4:02:45 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Over the winter, BrianC did some experiments (helping his daughter do a science project) on temperatures and giant pumpkin seed germination. He found some interesting stuff. Interestingly, maximum percentage germination was found a 85 degrees (what we've been saying all along.....) and germination rates tail off pretty dramatically on either side of that, both low and high. That is, at 95 degrees, germination rates went way down.

EVERY grower should include a thermometer as part of their germination tool kit!

As for germination, our house becomes germination central from February until May every year. We take up significant space in two of my kids rooms. Every May or so they are grateful to get their room back.

Anyway, the best thing I've found is a heat mat... this old thing is about 15 inches by 24 inches, and has three settings, low, medium and high. We've been using this one for about 15 years and it just keeps going. We also had a plastic heat mat for seeds, but it died in about four years. The bad thing about the plastic heat mat is that it has no settings... so if it gives you 75 or 80 degrees, that's all you get.

A priority this year is going to be finding a good heat mat that is well built and has settings. It doesn't need to be specific to seed starting. We use two of these at a time, and could possibly use three. I've heard that waterbed heaters are good, because they have good controls for setting the temp.

Once you have your heat mat, you also need a cheap plastic "dome" set, which consists of a black plastic bottom and a clear plastic top, and your thermometer. Get those babies to 85 and happy germinating!

2/10/2009 4:26:07 PM

No Place Special

sounds like a perfect idea. Thanks for sharing!

2/10/2009 6:10:38 PM

Upstate S.C.

Chuck, That is the same one I have...I found the box..

2/10/2009 6:36:13 PM

Ohio

The only seed I have ever had to germinate at 93-95 degrees was a 1068 Wallace seed, and it would sprout everytime for me, But other seeds I have tried at this same temp didnt fair to well. Why this is , is beyond me, but it takes more heat for that seed, wonder why that is the case?

2/10/2009 9:01:50 PM

Upstate S.C.

Brooks, The thing about this device is that you can control the temp, if you keep both lids closed it will get up to about 95%, if you open the top lid it stay's about around 85%...It awsome...It was like it was made for seeds lol..

2/10/2009 9:14:27 PM

Rhode Island

yep your never to old to learn a new trick. so you can teach an old dog new tricks-lol.
i bought one last night and am trying a few seeds as we speak.
the wet padded surface sure feels cozy to the touch. i like the fact it will sprout nine seeds very nicely, and thats leaving room for the root to grow longer before planting in 4 inch peat pots.
i bought it because i have very few 1450 wallace seeds and i want to do a 1450x1450 sib if at all possible.
thanks again for sharing the info
pap

2/11/2009 6:59:44 AM

bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

Hi all-
I went to wally world and purchased one. I had seeds sprouting in 30 hours.
I did a two hour presoke before putting them in the gadget.
Bill P

2/17/2009 8:16:21 AM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

Ok, I either have some seeds that are not in good shape which I doubt or I'm doing something else wrong as I'm on my second batch with no sprouts. My baby bum wiper warmer came with no sponge so I have put one in, any suggestions as to the solution to my problem? I have not monitored the temp up to now but will insert my digital thermo tonight and see if its warm enough.

2/23/2009 12:49:57 PM