Hydro germination

[chronic_maniac]

Hi everyone, when germinating a seed, i used distilled water in fish filter wool, but how long should i leave them in there?? some publications say to have it there overnight, others say 2 weeks. And also is leaving it on top of something warm required? thanks Edited December 5, 2003 by chronic_maniac

[Guest Wilderbud]

Fish filter wool? Visit a hydro shop and get rockwool for next time and dont forget to water it well then strain the water [dont squeeze it - lift and drop and excess will run out - its like draining boiled vegies].

 

Keep them moist and warm and they should crack after 12-24 hours if its a good seed. A better way of cracking a seed is to soak it in warm water for a night then put it into your germination medium - spray the water with a mister on stream to oxygenate it.

 

Warm = 27C - try to get the mediums temperature as close to this as you can - a fishtank heater or germination heating mat is good if you cant find another heat source [fridge/lamp/water heater] - they only cost about $25 so its worth it to get 100% germination with viable seeds.

 

If it doesnt crack after a day then flush the medium again or change the water so that it doesnt stagnate [stagnant water/medium is slimy when you rub your fingers together in it or goes green - this is not healthy for the plant].

 

I usually throw the seed away if it doesnt sprout within 2 weeks but ask if the strains seeds are hard to crack - some need warmer temperatures supposedly [ie. tropical strains]. Most of my seeds crack after one night and sprout on the 3rd day.