From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Pennsylvania

Man, 5 days in the pot and my main plant still isn't up. About how long until you guys think it's a lost cause?

5/8/2009 3:07:19 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

What temperature is the pot at? Cooler takes longer...

5/8/2009 7:17:17 AM

Denver, CO

It took 15 days for my 842 Eaton to germinate. It was kept at 85-90 degrees 24 hours a day. As long as the seed itself is not mushy they will probably germiante.

Carefully pull from the top of the seed and see if there is any resistance at all. It will be very slight so be careful. If so, stop and wait, as the tap root is sprouting.

If not, pull the seed out of the soil, look at the tip and see if its cracking open or if a tiny white root is there. If so, you are good to go, just put it back in the pot, carefully, and let it germinate.

If not wait 3 more days and try this all over again.

5/8/2009 12:59:07 PM

Pennsylvania

The temp in the germination temperature is 85-90 give or take. I'd really like to not have to pull it out or anything as to avoid damaging it.

5/8/2009 1:32:36 PM

Colorado Springs, Co ([email protected])

do NOT pull on the seed, if you do anything , use something and very lightly rake back the mix beside the seed and peek that way. Those roots are very brittle and small and you risk losing everything if you pull on the seed.

5/8/2009 1:38:42 PM

Pennsylvania

I checked and so far there are no signs of life in the pot. I just really hope it starts growing soon before damping off starts setting in.

5/8/2009 1:39:00 PM

Jefferson Me

This is why I don't use the germination in the pot method.If you use the paper towel/baggie method you know exactly what is happening.I'm up to 21 seeds germ this season this way with 100% success.I had two seeds out of them that I thought were taking a little longer to sprout then what I thought they should.So these two I just carefully removed some of the shell at the very tip so they did'nt have to struggle so hard to germ.Both times within 10 hours they were ready to be placed into pots.And 2 days later the cots were up through the dirt.All these methods on here seem to have some form of success.Next winter take some seeds and practice some different methods to see what works best for you.Thats what I did.Good luck, Edwin P

5/9/2009 8:31:12 AM

Dresden, Ohio

In my opinion, you should turn up the heat a little bit Sam. This is my 3rd year, and I have started my seeds in 4" peat pots for the last two years. I am 10 for 10 on germination. My 275 Van Hook this year had not shown a root while the other three had pushed through the top. I turned up the heat about 10 degrees and had a root within 24 hours.
-Jeremy

5/9/2009 9:02:11 AM

Pennsylvania

I dug it up and it never even sprouted a root. It was all mushy and smelled bad. I hope all my seeds aren't defective like that.

5/9/2009 12:28:47 PM

Pennsylvania

Just to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong, I'm going to tell you guys my whole germination setup and tell me if you see anything wrong.

1. remove seed coat from seed

2. put in soak water with 10% hydrogen peroxide with an air pump inside a cooler with a heat pad set to 85-90 ambient for 8 hours.

3. Place in newspaper pot with holes poked in with a pin and then surround the pot with seran wrap and with 1/3 perlite and 2/3 jiffy seed starting mix (1/2 vermiculite, 1/2 peat, ph balanced etc.)

4. cover top of pot with seran wrap to hold in heat and moisture.

5. Set in the same coller at the same temp until it sprouts.

Please reply soon, because I want to start seeds again today.

5/9/2009 12:37:43 PM

Pennsylvania

Oh, forgot to mention, I also put 1/4 tsp. of myco with the seed in the pot and I put the seed 1 in. deep. The pot is 5 in. in diameter and 4 in. high.

5/9/2009 12:42:34 PM

Minnesota

I have never removed the seed coat and then soaked. The reason you soak the seed is to help the seed get thru the seed coating,,fairly knew at this but I'm almost sure thats why yours rotted, there is no reason to soak the seed if there is'nt a seed coat/shell.

5/9/2009 12:47:26 PM

Minnesota

I had trouble also. I filed the edges,did'nt touch the tip, soaked for two hours in water, put in seed starting mix, had a heat/light source above 6-8 inchs, 2 days later I peaked and the seed had sprouted its root..have you joined a organization, you can find some of them at the main menue under links, Pennsylvania has some of the best growers and seeds there are.

5/9/2009 12:52:35 PM

Pennsylvania

So should I just file them then?

5/9/2009 12:55:44 PM

Pennsylvania

What do you guys think would be better, taking off the seed coat and sticking it right in the pot or filing the seed and then soaking?

5/9/2009 12:58:16 PM

Colorado Springs, Co ([email protected])

sam,
Richard is correct, no need to soak seed if you removed the seed coat. The safest way is file and soak for couple hrs and then put in your moistened only starter mix. Most people mess up by wetting the soil , you should only be able to sqeeze out about 2 drops of water if you squeeze it hard.
Now, if you are removing the seed coat and do not damage the root tip at all doing this, then put it directly into the soil. keep in mind, if your doing this, all the moisture in your pot is going directly onto the seed itself. so much larger chance of too much moisture. The seed coat of seeds is sort of like a shield from the seed getting too much moisture in the beginning and gives the cots enough time to emerge from the moist soil so as to not start fungus or rot on the cot's. Either way is fine but the safest is file and soak in my opinion.

5/9/2009 1:27:56 PM

Pennsylvania

It sounds pretty unanimous, file and soak. Thanks guys, I owe you one.

5/9/2009 1:35:08 PM

Midwest

If you are using a light to heat the top of the soil, don't put the seed down 1in. Plant it just far enough to barely see the top of the seed. But, still have a small amount of soil over it. I don't think seran wrap is a good idea...

5/11/2009 2:29:54 PM

Pennsylvania

A lot of people use the seran wrap thing, so I know that is safe. You only do it until it sprouts too, so then you take is right off.

5/11/2009 3:31:06 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

I've always covered with saran wrap just until the dirt starts mounding up in the pot...no problems here.

5/12/2009 1:40:21 AM