HydroLynx
Well-Known Member
The rapid germination of 20 seedlings using DWC: A case study
Intro
Seed propagation often involves many phenotypes, so 1 of my germination system (previous DIY) was used to billet this stage of growth, to test out that system.
Materials:
Seeds (16 Banana hybrids; 5 DarkStar; 1 Sour D x ducksfoot)
Seed germination system (see my DIY paper on construction)
Mild 10% jik (hypochlorite) solution in sprayer
NutriplexTM Micro (0.25ml) with 4 drops pH down (Phosphoric acid) per litre in small hand pressure sprayer (higher N than P and K)
Light: Venture 4k MH 250W (older bulb but surprising brighter than my newer)
Grow cupboard.
Methods:
All materials were thoroughly sprayed down and left to “sterilise” for 5 minutes before rinsing and use, while seeds were only sieve-rinsed in tepid water
On the 2 April all seeds were first soaked solely in a small vile of nutrient solution
Rockwool plugs were boiled a few times, over a few minutes, INSIDE an old kettle––a convenient “autoclave” for some measure of sterilising the propagation plugs
Subsequently after 24-hr soaking, the popped pips were transplanted into the kettle-sterilised rockwool plugs of the same number of seeds that actually sprouted to eliminate plug wastage, in trays, with same solution and irrigated daily with sprayer
9 April planted into germination system tub
Day temp was more or less consistent at 25˚C, RH ~60%
The system was placed at the edge of the garden to control luminosity.
Results:
Most radicles sprouted over 24 hours in 0.25ml micro and 4 drops pH down
Banana 16 and DarkStar 4 popped after 36-48 hours in thin film of water to minimise O2 deprivation
15 Bananas; 4 DarkStars; 1 Ducksfoot sprouted radicles and hypocotyls. That means:
- Banana achieved 15 radicles / 16 seeds = 94% success (binomial p=0.94)
- the DarkStar achieved 4 / 5 = 80% success (p=0.
- the Ducksfoot achieved 1 / 1 = 100% success (p=1)
The vigour is mostly uniform, however Banana #2 & #11, DarkStar #2, and Ducksfoot sluggishly sprouted their cotyledons
3 days later (7/April) most cotyledons sprouted some with single true-leaves already.
Plate 1: 9 April, 1 week after soaking
began, and planted into new system.
Thus it’s week 1
Plate 2: 16 April, week 2.
Intro
Seed propagation often involves many phenotypes, so 1 of my germination system (previous DIY) was used to billet this stage of growth, to test out that system.
Materials:
Seeds (16 Banana hybrids; 5 DarkStar; 1 Sour D x ducksfoot)
Seed germination system (see my DIY paper on construction)
Mild 10% jik (hypochlorite) solution in sprayer
NutriplexTM Micro (0.25ml) with 4 drops pH down (Phosphoric acid) per litre in small hand pressure sprayer (higher N than P and K)
Light: Venture 4k MH 250W (older bulb but surprising brighter than my newer)
Grow cupboard.
Methods:
All materials were thoroughly sprayed down and left to “sterilise” for 5 minutes before rinsing and use, while seeds were only sieve-rinsed in tepid water
On the 2 April all seeds were first soaked solely in a small vile of nutrient solution
Rockwool plugs were boiled a few times, over a few minutes, INSIDE an old kettle––a convenient “autoclave” for some measure of sterilising the propagation plugs
Subsequently after 24-hr soaking, the popped pips were transplanted into the kettle-sterilised rockwool plugs of the same number of seeds that actually sprouted to eliminate plug wastage, in trays, with same solution and irrigated daily with sprayer
9 April planted into germination system tub
Day temp was more or less consistent at 25˚C, RH ~60%
The system was placed at the edge of the garden to control luminosity.
Results:
Most radicles sprouted over 24 hours in 0.25ml micro and 4 drops pH down
Banana 16 and DarkStar 4 popped after 36-48 hours in thin film of water to minimise O2 deprivation
15 Bananas; 4 DarkStars; 1 Ducksfoot sprouted radicles and hypocotyls. That means:
- Banana achieved 15 radicles / 16 seeds = 94% success (binomial p=0.94)
- the DarkStar achieved 4 / 5 = 80% success (p=0.
- the Ducksfoot achieved 1 / 1 = 100% success (p=1)
The vigour is mostly uniform, however Banana #2 & #11, DarkStar #2, and Ducksfoot sluggishly sprouted their cotyledons
3 days later (7/April) most cotyledons sprouted some with single true-leaves already.
Plate 1: 9 April, 1 week after soaking
began, and planted into new system.
Thus it’s week 1
Plate 2: 16 April, week 2.
