Moldy
Well-Known Member
That's my problem too. If I can get a seed going then it's "good to grow" but otherwise it seems hit or miss. Especially with an older seed.
Best way to start seeds. Not new grower, just don't have luck with seeds
- Thread starter BurlingtonBam
- Start date
BurlingtonBam
Active Member
The clones I have are Pineapple Express. I want to have at least 1 other kind of bud. I like variety. I have a Skunk that popped and hopefully will pop up through soon. I'll pick another bean and get it going.
Liddle
Well-Known Member
...i grow in coco hempy buckets so i choose to sow my beans directly into 9oz net cups filled with moist coco, ...note that i use a second cup as a temporary humidity dome which is removed as soon as the seedling emerges from the coco and when it is also moved down under the lights.
the cups work great for clones too!
t
justanotherbozo
Well-Known Member
...they do indeed and it's the same passive wick style action that makes it work, ...the great thing about cups of coco is that you can take and root much larger cuts.
peace, bozo
I've used paper towels for 30 years, until I got "learned" the right way on all these blogs. Why, with a little effort, rock wool, ph'ing water, soaking, root plugs, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, tweezers, humidity domes, and heat pads, I took my average germination rate from virtually 100% with the paper towel method, to a stellar hit or miss 60% average. With a bit more studying, I hope to get my success rate down to 50%.
Seriously, here's what I do. I get a round, black plate out of my kitchen cabinet, and a matching bowel to cover the seeds that fits on the plate(you want it dark), fold two paper towels in half(2 sheets on bottom, 2 on top). I wet the towel completely, so it sticks to the plate, and just pour the excess off, it can be wetter to start, plus, it holds your seeds in place when you're placing them on the towel. If I'm germing different strains, masking tape around the edge of plate tells me what's what. Next, you need heat, and heating mats are TOO hot, if not used correctly. I place a couple layers of cotton towel on my Hydrfarm heat mat, set the plate on top of it, and check it every 12 hours. You'll see the inside of the bowl covered with condensation, no problem. Best way to keep it moist, NOT SOAKED AFTER THE FIRST 24 HOURS, is to keep a spray bottle by it. Don't sweat it, just spray it thoroughly everyday, as the heat mat will dry them out, always pout off the excess. No seedling mat? Use a people heating pad on low, just put more towels between the plate and pad(I did this for 5 years, worked perfectly) If a seed is going to germinate, I'll get that bad boy with this method, no brag, just fact.
I got into Rockwool(I hate that stuff, takes an act of Congress to get the Ph right, and it stays too damn wet, or dry, damps off like crazy, just had really nasty results), ph'ing, coir plugs, all that crap, and it only made it harder, mostly with worse results. I get almost 100% germ with paper towels, and heat, always have. Hey, think of it this way, you said you're a great grower, other than the first day, just water them properly, and don't let them dry out. Also, I don't plant them when they first crack, I let them get a 1/4-1/2 inch long. Look, some seeds aren't as strong as others, the keepers will stand out from birth, imo. If you want to be sure on your water, just buy spring water. I use tap BECAUSE OF THE CHLORINE, it protects your seeds from damping off, you don't need anything else.
Most of my seeds the past 5 years have come from Attitude, and I've never had less than 90% germ on anything, with a couple exceptions, the worst being Sensi's Jack Herer, where only 6 survived, and 5 of those were female. But those plants were a pain in the ass from the git go. Also, if your seeds are older, germ rates will go down. I kept some Kali Mist for a year, but still had 80% germ rate on those 10. Hell, I've popped 20 year old bag seeds with paper towels, with 50% germ rates.
Hope this helps, you can get it done, but I'd suggest going simpler, not more complicated.
Keep you chin up, but if you go simpler, there aren't as many variables to sort out what's wrong. Water, heat, and darkness are all seeds need to germinate. Trust me, 3 million 1960's Hippies can't be wrong.
AimAim
Well-Known Member
Small pot of moist potting soil, seed poked in about 1/4", warmth. Also done
dannyboy602
Well-Known Member
aerocloners kids......its the best way...you can make your own if your handy.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV5wpnQ2NT4
jackblack21
Well-Known Member
I put a seed pointy side down in a Rapid Rooter then walk away. 19/19 on seed germination.
I have a very hard time believing anyone who says they have a 100% success with seeds.
A plant will put off thousands upon thousands upon thousands of seeds.
They are not all viable. Not 100%.
I use the paper towel method. Every once in awhile I will have a seed not pop but not very often.
A plant will put off thousands upon thousands upon thousands of seeds.
They are not all viable. Not 100%.
I use the paper towel method. Every once in awhile I will have a seed not pop but not very often.
Hazydat620
Well-Known Member
I just had 10/11 germ. I sow them directly into Light Warrior in dixie cups with holes in the bottom for drainage. No soaking the beans before hand, just moist soil, a humidity dome, and a T-5. It can't get any more simple.
AimAim
Well-Known Member
That's a fact. I farmed for several years and seed viability for certified seed would range from the low 90's (% viable) to maybe 98%. This is grass, wheat, corn soybeans, etc.
Sand4x105
Well-Known Member
OK... I am giving you a trade secret... very few of us know...
The day before you want to plant the beans, you swallow them...
Yes that's right just like the monkey shiting out the most expensive most sought after coffee bean...
We shit out our seeds. Swallow a day before...
Then just when you poop the next day usually it takes 24 hours to work through a well working system....
Then just shiat into a 5 gallon bucket into the cheesecloth filter and work your shiat a bit...
Then find beans, that have been acid washed and ready to plant...
That's how ya grow some really good shait!
The day before you want to plant the beans, you swallow them...
Yes that's right just like the monkey shiting out the most expensive most sought after coffee bean...
We shit out our seeds. Swallow a day before...
Then just when you poop the next day usually it takes 24 hours to work through a well working system....
Then just shiat into a 5 gallon bucket into the cheesecloth filter and work your shiat a bit...
Then find beans, that have been acid washed and ready to plant...
That's how ya grow some really good shait!
Banana444
Well-Known Member
^^^sounds like too much work. I have yet to have a bean not sprout. I have had bad sprouts that died but not had a bean not pop. I use the paper towel between two plates. Since it was colder they were taking forever to pop so I put them on top of my cable box, which makes the perfect heat mat, and kaboom! They all sprouted. I wait for a taproot of 3/4" and then plant in soil, water and mist a couple times a day to keep top soil moist/not soaked until they emerge. Also I don't touch the root, and wash and rinse and dry my hand before I handle anything. RO water to germ them.
justanotherbozo
Well-Known Member
yeah, there's no way any method yields 100% over the long haul.
...i get between 80 - 90% sowing my beans directly into coco.
...here's a few pics of my last seed starts where i only got 4 of 6 successfully into veg, ...they're sexing as we speak.
...just some cups of coco, you'll note that i like using masking tape for labeling, cheap, easy and easily removeable unlike the paper labels my grobro uses which stick like concrete while slowly eroding from moisture, ...tape is way better imo.
...seeds planted and watered in and with 'hats' in place, aka temporary humidity domes.
...in the clone/seed start cab, reflected light and warmth provided by the bulbs down below.
...the first one emerges.
...finally, all have emerged (approx. 5 days in total), note that 3 are smaller and were slower in emergence.
...here they all look normal but the lagards are still not 100%.
...one of the lagards gives up the ghost.
...and then there were 5, ...note that the one in the middle isn't looking so good.
...the slow one is front right and if you look close you'll see it isn't getting any better.
...the sickly one, ...note how thin the stem is down close to the surface of the coco.
...and then there were 4, ...here they are potted up into 3liter coco hempys.
...vegging comfortably inside my old motherbox.
seedlings can be a bit fragile so it is always best to learn how to keep them alive using free bagseeds, then, once you've developed the requisite skills you'll feel confident with expensive, store-bought genetics.
peace, bozo
Wavels
Well-Known Member
I used the paper towel method for many years. Never a problem, as the vast majority of my seeds popped for me.
Mostly due to laziness, I began skipping the paper towels altogether...for the past few years I just pop them in my medium apx. 1/4 inch deep...keep 'em moist and warm...so I get to skip a step and obtain at least equally good results, no more paper for me.
If the seeds are older, or, I suspect dubious viability, then I always scuff them up with sand paper or emory board.
This is what inspired my quitting with paper towels...FWIW...
For an optimal germination result the seeds should be planted DIRECTLY into the substrate. We clearly advise against using pre-germination methods or soaking. Please do not place the seeds into a glass of water or in moist paper tissues.
This does not mean that pre-soaking should never be used with seeds from other sources, or that we criticize growers who prefer this method. We are aware that some breeders recommend it for their products. But to prevent complications and achieve the consistent level of high germination rates that you should be getting from your Mandala seeds please trust our advice and follow our guidelines.
Please take note that customers who soak their Mandala seeds in water or wet paper tissue do so at their own risk. We are not accountable for any failure in germination or complications caused by this method.
Fresh and healthy seeds prefer a nurturing and airy substrate to germinate in – just as mother nature has meant it to be. Cannabis is a plant species originating from semi-arid and temperate biotopes and the vast majority of modern cannabis hybrids contain a substantial percentage of these genetics. Cannabis seeds are not adapted to swampy wetlands, but they are suited for germinating in well drained soil/substrate. In nature they rot if they fall into a puddle of water...and there are no paper tissues lying around either. Taking into account these botanical facts, it is quite logical that by creating germination conditions that are similar to those of the natural habitat you can expect the best results.
[h=3]What happens if one uses pre-germination methods?[/h]Soaking seeds in water/wet paper towels is a method which can be used for old seeds (3+ years) that are drying up and losing germination power; and for pure land race equatorial strains such as from Africa. Both factors do not apply to our seeds. Fresh seeds have a healthy embryo whose cells are filled with water. But excess water causes the cells to bloat, depletes oxygen and leads to the tissue rotting away before the seed embryo can germinate. Old seeds have lost water in the cell tissue, the embryo starts to shrivel, which is why germination rates drop the older the seeds are. Therefore, old seeds (ie. 3+ years) can soak up more water before adverse conditions cause them to rot. This is one of the main reasons why various seed stock reacts differently to pre-germination methods. Some growers make the mistake of soaking our seeds in water for up to 1-2 days because it may have worked in the past with other seeds. This does not mean, however, that this method can be used for all seeds. In fact, old stock or equatorial cannabis seeds should only be soaked in water for a few hours at the most. Always consult the web site of a seed bank for specific advice and instructions on how to germinate their seeds.
It is in a growers best interest to choose a germination method with the lowest risk of complications. Because we want customers to have the highest success rate possible we recommend the most convenient and safest method. This does not mean it is the only option. We simply believe it carries the lowest risk for germinating fresh seeds. Planting seeds directly in the substrate is also the most plant friendly method for any type of seed stock. The reasons are explained below in paragraph 2 & 3.
Placing healthy & fresh seeds in water/wet tissue can lead to the development of fungi or bacteria on the seed hull. Lack of oxygen and contaminating substances in the water/wet tissue promote fungal growth which can be transported to the substrate later on. Often the seed simply rots away if left for too long in a glass of water, or wrapped up in wet tissue.
Once the seed sprouts in a glass of water or paper tissue it already has the taproot growing out of the cracked seed hull. While transplanting the germinated seed it is very difficult, indeed impossible, to prevent damage to the delicate taproot. Many sprouted seedlings handled in this way show retarded development, or even simply fail to appear out of the substrate after transplantation. Handling seedlings this way can impair the health & vigour of the plant for the duration of it’s life cycle - especially if other disturbing factors occur during the early stages of growth.
Professional horticulturists rarely use pre-germination methods to actually grow out the seedlings because of the shock suffered from transplanting them. For example, we use the paper tissue method only as a quick test for germination rates of aged seed stock from our genetic repository. This allows us to see beforehand how many seeds we have to put in soil to get the amount of plants we require for breeding projects.
Germinating cannabis seeds is not difficult. All you need is some basic information on what is important and everything should work out fine.
- See more at: http://www.mandalaseeds.com/Guides/Germination-Guide#sthash.EwrolKR4.dpuf
Mostly due to laziness, I began skipping the paper towels altogether...for the past few years I just pop them in my medium apx. 1/4 inch deep...keep 'em moist and warm...so I get to skip a step and obtain at least equally good results, no more paper for me.
If the seeds are older, or, I suspect dubious viability, then I always scuff them up with sand paper or emory board.
This is what inspired my quitting with paper towels...FWIW...
For an optimal germination result the seeds should be planted DIRECTLY into the substrate. We clearly advise against using pre-germination methods or soaking. Please do not place the seeds into a glass of water or in moist paper tissues.
This does not mean that pre-soaking should never be used with seeds from other sources, or that we criticize growers who prefer this method. We are aware that some breeders recommend it for their products. But to prevent complications and achieve the consistent level of high germination rates that you should be getting from your Mandala seeds please trust our advice and follow our guidelines.
Please take note that customers who soak their Mandala seeds in water or wet paper tissue do so at their own risk. We are not accountable for any failure in germination or complications caused by this method.
Fresh and healthy seeds prefer a nurturing and airy substrate to germinate in – just as mother nature has meant it to be. Cannabis is a plant species originating from semi-arid and temperate biotopes and the vast majority of modern cannabis hybrids contain a substantial percentage of these genetics. Cannabis seeds are not adapted to swampy wetlands, but they are suited for germinating in well drained soil/substrate. In nature they rot if they fall into a puddle of water...and there are no paper tissues lying around either. Taking into account these botanical facts, it is quite logical that by creating germination conditions that are similar to those of the natural habitat you can expect the best results.
[h=3]What happens if one uses pre-germination methods?[/h]Soaking seeds in water/wet paper towels is a method which can be used for old seeds (3+ years) that are drying up and losing germination power; and for pure land race equatorial strains such as from Africa. Both factors do not apply to our seeds. Fresh seeds have a healthy embryo whose cells are filled with water. But excess water causes the cells to bloat, depletes oxygen and leads to the tissue rotting away before the seed embryo can germinate. Old seeds have lost water in the cell tissue, the embryo starts to shrivel, which is why germination rates drop the older the seeds are. Therefore, old seeds (ie. 3+ years) can soak up more water before adverse conditions cause them to rot. This is one of the main reasons why various seed stock reacts differently to pre-germination methods. Some growers make the mistake of soaking our seeds in water for up to 1-2 days because it may have worked in the past with other seeds. This does not mean, however, that this method can be used for all seeds. In fact, old stock or equatorial cannabis seeds should only be soaked in water for a few hours at the most. Always consult the web site of a seed bank for specific advice and instructions on how to germinate their seeds.
It is in a growers best interest to choose a germination method with the lowest risk of complications. Because we want customers to have the highest success rate possible we recommend the most convenient and safest method. This does not mean it is the only option. We simply believe it carries the lowest risk for germinating fresh seeds. Planting seeds directly in the substrate is also the most plant friendly method for any type of seed stock. The reasons are explained below in paragraph 2 & 3.
Placing healthy & fresh seeds in water/wet tissue can lead to the development of fungi or bacteria on the seed hull. Lack of oxygen and contaminating substances in the water/wet tissue promote fungal growth which can be transported to the substrate later on. Often the seed simply rots away if left for too long in a glass of water, or wrapped up in wet tissue.
Once the seed sprouts in a glass of water or paper tissue it already has the taproot growing out of the cracked seed hull. While transplanting the germinated seed it is very difficult, indeed impossible, to prevent damage to the delicate taproot. Many sprouted seedlings handled in this way show retarded development, or even simply fail to appear out of the substrate after transplantation. Handling seedlings this way can impair the health & vigour of the plant for the duration of it’s life cycle - especially if other disturbing factors occur during the early stages of growth.
Professional horticulturists rarely use pre-germination methods to actually grow out the seedlings because of the shock suffered from transplanting them. For example, we use the paper tissue method only as a quick test for germination rates of aged seed stock from our genetic repository. This allows us to see beforehand how many seeds we have to put in soil to get the amount of plants we require for breeding projects.
Germinating cannabis seeds is not difficult. All you need is some basic information on what is important and everything should work out fine.
- See more at: http://www.mandalaseeds.com/Guides/Germination-Guide#sthash.EwrolKR4.dpuf
^ I agree in many ways with the above post.
For me, when I am paying up to 20 bucks for a single seed, I am going to verify each step.
I will see the tap root and know I got a good seed. If it doesn't pop, it isn't because of the soil being too hot, or not enough moisture, or humidity, or any of the other 100s of variables, it was dud seed.
For me, when I am paying up to 20 bucks for a single seed, I am going to verify each step.
I will see the tap root and know I got a good seed. If it doesn't pop, it isn't because of the soil being too hot, or not enough moisture, or humidity, or any of the other 100s of variables, it was dud seed.
Dee Jay Em
Member
Edit: ^^^^ wizard ^^^^^
Lookup and read Mandalas germination method. Read it through. No wet paper towels, no cups of water. Straight into the substrate for best results. I'm a fairly new grower but have had 100% germination. 17/17 and counting.
I use rapid rooters...
Lookup and read Mandalas germination method. Read it through. No wet paper towels, no cups of water. Straight into the substrate for best results. I'm a fairly new grower but have had 100% germination. 17/17 and counting.
I use rapid rooters...
Cannanonymous
Member
Still waiting for somebody to say "pics or it didnt happen" hahaha cheers!