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Little-TON - Colorado

What is the optimum germination temp for the 1068........

Wallace.... And for other AG seedZ as well?

3/1/2010 2:16:04 PM

WiZ, I am sorry to tell you this, but the optimum germination temp can only be found in my greenhouse. Go ahead and send me the seed, I'll make sure you get a plant back once the 1068 has germinated.

3/1/2010 2:20:42 PM

Ohio

Wiz, email Pap or Ron on that 1068, they know that seed inside out.

3/1/2010 2:32:31 PM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

I think I heard she likes it warm, 90 or better!

I keep mine 85-90 and they do great.

3/1/2010 2:36:03 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

I know the 1068 was kind of at the top end for germination temps....I thought that 88 was to mean temp for AG germination

3/1/2010 4:09:18 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I remember Pap saying 9x for that 1068, so low 90's instead of upper 80's.

3/1/2010 5:19:17 PM

Western NY

I don't believe that the 1068 is in any way unique compared to other seeds regarding germination temperature.

3/1/2010 6:00:10 PM

So. Maine

The Wallace 1068 is known to like 93 to 95 degrees , How do I know that ? Dick & Ron , being the kind gents they are sent me a second chance seed a few years back to replace the first one that did not germinate in the upper 80's . The second one made it ... AL B

3/1/2010 10:06:30 PM

Ohio

Al, Same here exactly, and the second seed they sent me wasnt germinating after 4 days,,so Ron called me and told me on the phone to turn the heat up on that seed to 93 and hit it with some kelp and watch what it does. The very next day it started sprouting a root, and at the end it ended up growng me a 1402.5 lber.

3/2/2010 4:17:57 AM

Ohio

I think that the seeds that are tuff to germinate because of age, that by cranking the heat up a few more degrees does help them germinate,but only in occasions like Al and I had with this seed. In my opinion.

3/2/2010 4:23:14 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

We are giving a class this weekend up at Jareds.....so I want to have my ranges correct.....

Now are these temps using a digital heat mat with a digital thermometer half way in a 5 inch peat pot to obtain the desired temps? I know heat mats have a wide degree of ranges......Think BiZ was measuring his without a thermostat at around 80.....way to low....I think

3/2/2010 10:01:53 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

We have been using the standard heating mats and adding the adjustable thermostat.

3/2/2010 10:06:24 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

My .00002 cents worth, I use 87-88 f, measured with a digital thermometer, and that works in 12-36 hours (usually 12-24) on most everything BUT a 1068. I have never had the pleasure of being that close to that fabled beastie to even contemplate making it hatch :)

3/2/2010 2:01:54 PM

Joliet, IL

place the thermostat sensor at seed level in one of the peat pots. also use separate thermometers at seed level to monitor temps the mix temps. adjust the thermsostat in regards to the separate actual thermometer temps for the most accurate stable true temp in the seed starter mix at seed level. i like 88 degrees. the thermsostats temps can sometimes be a couple degrees off. also temps of starter mix in the pots towards the center of the heating mat are the ones i use. sometimes pots placed the outside edges of a mat have slightly lower temps.

3/2/2010 6:24:49 PM

So. Maine

Wiz , my readings are from the base of my germination hot box , seeds might be 2 inches above that thermometer ...

3/2/2010 10:26:28 PM

Redmond, Washington; U.S.A.

Bird nesting temperature.

3/2/2010 11:42:07 PM

Ohio

I Agree with you Shaz,,

I wouldn't recommend starting any seed at 93-95 degrees, not even another 1068 Wallace if you was to grow it. But if at first you see that seed isn't doing anything for the first couple days or so you really dont have that much to lose cranking the heat up a bit to see what happens.
I just think the older seeds, or the more difficult seeds out there that are hard to germinate the extra heat gives it a extra kick.
But it definitely work for me after 4 days of my 1068 Wallace that was at 85 to 88 degrees that was just sitting in the pot doing nothing. I cranked the heat up to 93-95 to get that seed to germinate. It also worked for a lot of other growers who tried to grow the 1068 Wallace as well, so there has to be something to the extra heat I think, dont you guys think so?.

3/3/2010 4:31:53 AM

Ohio

, I laid my thermostat on top of the soil in the pot right next to the seed, so Im not exactly sure what the soil temp was down next to the seed when the 1068 germinated. But I do know it was alot hotter then the norm that we usually germinate seeds.

3/3/2010 4:39:37 AM

Joliet, IL

i have popped seeds at all different temps in trials. i have had the most success with mostly 100 percent popping in each trial at 88 degrees. 80 degrees is about 85-90 percent and 95 degrees was about 85-90 percent. an 88 degree setting gives me the medium temp needed incase of some temps swings between 85 and 91 that do occur even with a thermostat. the second and third day readings after initial starting date will vary as the moistures and heat over time will cause some fluctuation. a close monitoring of your separate individual thermometers at seed level is needed to adjust the thermostat temp to keep you in your desired temp range.

3/4/2010 9:02:02 AM

Joliet, IL

some people might call this overkill, but you are talking about a 1068. and i also agree with Boz, i wouldn't kick the high heat in right off the bat. if anything, i would use 90 degrees as my target if i wanted to start them on the higher heat side. but i have found no difference when germinating older seeds from younger seeds as far as temp was concerned. 88 still popped them fine without cooking them.

here is a question. what is the top end heat before they are cooked or sterilized?

3/4/2010 9:07:39 AM

Ohio

thats a good question Shaz, I have accidentally cooked seeds at 95 plus degrees to where the inside of the seed has turn soft and stinky. I think germinating a seed at the 93-95 degree mark is taking you right to that line of being to hot for most seeds, do you think so?

3/4/2010 10:00:24 AM

Ohio

SHAZ, you snowed in today from work?,,,lol,, Hope this miserable snow/wet weather hasnt been putting a dent in your wallet this year.

3/4/2010 11:02:42 AM