From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rome Ga

How is the best way to get seeds to germ. I have had every seed germ except the 157 bright,239 leonard and the 247 kent. I have tried the 247 again and will see what happens. I had 18 seeds the first round and all germed except for some of the ones that i really wanted to grow. any suggestion would help. What type grow light to use. some of mine where getting leggie before i got them in the ground. This germ. thing is new to me I have always in the past planted seeds in the ground but i know that it is better to get them going in cups early.

5/22/2011 8:43:12 AM

formerly RGG

The grow lights that give the most intense light are HID or LED lights. They are also very efficient as they produce more lumens of light per kilowatt of electricity. More light is what keeps plants from getting leggy. For now, get your plants into the sunshine as much as possible and when using the artificial lighting you already have try to position your plants as close to the light source as possible.

5/22/2011 10:06:31 AM

Muddy Waters

germing either to wet or two dry??which one do you think you did??try not to dump water on seeds in pots.lites should be 2 inchs from plant,then they cant get leggy!

5/22/2011 10:12:46 AM

formerly RGG

Seeds out of really huge melons are often difficult to germinate. The problem is the seeds stayed in the melon a really long time and this seems to have some effect on their viability. The fastest and healthiest seeds seem to often come from less mature melons.I know Chris' 113 has been an easy to germinate seed as has been my 100 Masterson from last year.Some people soak their seeds in hydrogen peroxide for 1/2 hour or so prior to placing in a germination chamber.Others soak their seed in a kelp solution and I think there are probably other things used as well.Some think these really help and others don't see much difference.

5/22/2011 10:17:35 AM

formerly RGG

You go HH, leggy plants seldom go on to grow to maturity.So the trick is to know how to prevent that from happening. Too much heat will add to legginess but it will never happen if you will make sure you are providing enough light.

5/22/2011 10:21:36 AM

Rome Ga

probably had them to wet. I done the ones i really wanted in peat cups and placed them in incubator. I didnt put alot of water on them. I did soak the 157,239 and 247 in peroxide and water for about one hour. I also went back and put some in paper towels and zip lock bags and left them open and wet the towels and placed them in the incubator and about 1/2 of these did germ. probably to wet this way.

5/22/2011 11:05:41 AM

formerly RGG

I think using too much water is the most practice that causes germinating seeds to fail. It is so easy to do and who knew seeds would be so picky about water requirements for germination.

5/22/2011 12:17:56 PM

Muddy Waters

I just germed some seeds & wraped them loosely in a rag, so air pocket involved squezzed all water out of rag,1 hr soak is good,all 3 germed,I think 2 wet is usally the problem hard to remember year to year,think i will germ seeds in Feb,next year to get a tune up for spring!!

5/22/2011 1:25:47 PM