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Massachusetts

I am new to this sport this year coming up will be my first year. I was wodering what is the best way to germinate the seeds.

10/26/2006 6:33:59 AM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

One way is to moisten a paper towel (wring out the water) and place your seeds spaced out on the towel. Wet another towel and place it over the seeds sandwiching the seeds between the two towels. Fold this up, place it in a zip lock bag and put it in a warm place (top of hot water heater, top of refridgerator etc.) Usually in 3 to 5 days you should see roots popping out! Time to put them in the peat pots!!!

10/26/2006 11:00:25 AM

Thornhill, Ontario, Canada

Just a note: The thing that you use as a heat source shouldn't be so hot that it cooks the seeds. You just want something slightly warm. If you have a germination mat, that works too.

The way that I do my germinating has worked 100% of the time (for the two years that I've been doing it). I use a household heating mat (the kind you may put on to sooth a sore back) underneath a cooler. I use a thermometer to make sure that the temperature stays around 85-90 degrees F.

I place the pots with moist potting mix inside and wait a couple days for the seeds to come up. I think the longest any of them have taken has been 7 days. Usually their up around 3 days. If they don't shed their shells on their own, I help them with caution. But, as soon as they are up, I get them under a grow light until I can get them in the ground.

10/26/2006 12:51:37 PM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

I have had good success putting my peat pots with seeds in a large plastic cooler with a 15 watt light bulb. I keep the lid cracked open a little and keep a thermometer in the cooler to make sure it maintains temps around 85. The cooler maintains nice, high humidity. You need to keep a close check on the pots and get them into the sunlight when they emerge.

10/26/2006 3:19:29 PM

Massachusetts

yes thank you for all your replys. Hoots dirts has the same idea i am using now to practice with seed germination. All of you suggestions are great i will probally try them all to see witch ones works best for me,

10/26/2006 5:03:32 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

ryeing tgap...what do you have for seeds...stick around this site, and check out the seed exchange board and a bunch of excellent seeds will be available for the price of a bubblie and some stamps...also, if ya put the sprouts in peat pots, they (the plants) will outgrow them in a couple o days....these things aren't called giants for nothin!! Grow 'em big, keep askin ?'s...Peace, Wayne

10/26/2006 11:23:00 PM

Massachusetts

OK i am now set to go i test germinated seeds and they are starting to root it has been about 2 days. Thanks alot for your help all.

10/30/2006 6:51:32 AM

Ma

I am new also I read lots of people talking about lighting is it special lighting how close to the plant should it be.

-Chicken

1/17/2007 7:22:15 PM