Re: Seed Germinating

I have had a great deal of trouble over the years getting my seeds to
germinate.  This past spring I teamed up with a friend who owns a greenhouse and
has much experience in germinating seeds.  We put are knowledge together and
here is what we came up with.  First file the edges of the seed and sand the
larger sides to open all areas to water, be careful not to damage the pointed
tip of the seed.  Then prepare a solution of 90 F water with a general fungicide
and any other favorite seed treatment (fertilizer, hormones ect).  Place the
seeds into the water and hold them below the surface with screen.  Agitate the
solution keeping the seeds moving around and absorbing more water.  Do this for
approximately 30 minuets.  Then place the seed in pots filled with top quality
(light, very absorbent, sterilized) potting mix.  Make sure the mix is
moisturized and push the seed into the ground so that its top is going to be 1/2
inch below the surface.  Before covering the seed, pour the soaking solution
down the hole.  Cover the seed and moisten the surface.  Because of additional
watering the seed will end up being only 1/4 inch below the surface.  Cover the
top of the pot with cloth so that moisture will be maintained, but ventilation
will be allowed.  Keep the pots at 85 F and moisten them several times per day.
I constructed a 4' x 4' x 2' styrofoam box with 4 light fixtures in the lid in
which I put four 25 watt bulbs that are controlled by a thermostat to heat the
pots and provide some light to draw the seeds towards the surface.  From here I
check under the cloth often to look for seed activity and will remove the cloth
as soon as seeds push the soil up and place the pots into a greenhouse when the
seed coat is removed.

hope this helps and would like to here some opinions on my method.

Nic Welty


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