What's the best way to start seeds.

[Phil Carter]

What the people's preferred methods of starting from seed?

There seems to be many ways and some of the are markedly different to others.

One way I read recently (on here somewhere) had the seeds float on the surface of water and germinate that way.

Thought that was a strange and interesting way.

 

In the past I've ranged from straight into soil, to rockwool and to laying them in moist paper towel.

I quite liked rockwool.

 

But I'm interest what other people prefer and why.

For example I can see that soil might be bad due to the presence of pathogens.

 

Thanks!

[bluntman_77]

everyone seems to have a different method , but I usually soak until there is a crack and then into rockwool , or just straight into rockwool

[globenz]

2 fairly thick paper towels folded to required size soaked in warm water then either put between 2 Ceramic plates or in a snaplock container upside down it works like a humidity dome and holds in the warm moisture. I got a seed to crack in 24 hours.

[Frazz]

soil bad ? wtf ... isnt that the way Nature designed it

 

as has been said, everyone has different methods which do work

 

, i use wet paper towels in saucer on coffee-cup warmer

Edited April 20, 2012 by Frazz
so i dont sound like a smart-arse lol

[Cerberus]

bluntman's right everyone's got their preferred methods.

 

I drop them in cups of water and wait a few days until they sink or grow inch long tails, then I gently place them tail down in rockwool/coco and give them light and time.

 

Usually works out well

[Phil Carter]

I know everyone has their preferred methods, just curious what they are and why.

 

I also know soil is natural, but some people prefer to germinate seeds in a more aseptic type environment away from potential pathogens.

Not saying that soil is actually, bad but can understand why people might prefer to avoid it.

I've always had success with soil, but never done controlled experiments.

 

Do the seeds that sink die Cerberus?

[Ford Fairlane]

I guess the reason people might germinate in paper or water is so that they only get viable seeds and don't waste rockwool or germinating soil on seeds that are not viable. I am far from an expert, but I have had success with all these methods, but prefer rockwool or soil cups as I don't like to handle the seed once germinated.

 

When you get a seed that is hard to crack you can rub the edge gently on some sand paper and it should crack for you..

[Cerberus]

Do the seeds that sink die Cerberus?

 

nah, they grow tails too

[magma]

FWIW I've always just started in soil and not had any issues. Mind you, I've not used any fancy methods to grow either.

[hidden.monkeys]

I prefer grow wool personally.