Starting seeds the Cuban way

[Greenstar]

Hi guys

 

Thought I'd put up a tutorial on how to roll a "Cuban Seed Splitter". I devised this method a couple of seasons ago just buy chance and a bit of ingenuity. I used to use the tried and true method of paper towel on a plate but after coming up with this I haven't looked back. The Cuban Seed Splitter is just a modified version of the paper towel on plate method but needs less attention due to its reduced surface area resulting in less evaporation. I hope you like it

 

Take 3 sheets of top shelf paper towel. Don't use the cheep stuff because it will tear easier and kind of mash up after a couple of times checking the seeds.

 

Next, fold the 2 outside sheets onto the center one.

 

Next, fold the square in half from the top down.

 

Next, wet the paper towel with water, tap, bottled, RO, doesn't really matter. I'll run a bit of water through it just in case there is any bleach left in the paper towel from munufacturing. Hold it up to drain of excess water. Just enough so it holds water without dipping to much. Lay it down and place seeds pointy end up towards one end ensuring to leave at least a couple of centimeters between each seed. This ensures each seed receives contact with the paper towel on each side.

 

Next. Start rolling your Cuban Seed Splitter. Start at the end where you placed the seeds. This will put your seeds in the center of the Cuban.

 

Congratulations! You've just rolled your first Cuban Seed Splitter

 

From there I like to place the Cuban in a glass and add an inch of water. The beauty of this method is that the paper towel wicks up the water as it evaporates keeping the seeds at an ideal moisture level with plenty of oxygen helping prevent fungal infections. The Cuban might want to unroll a little bit so lean it on an angle at the end of the roll.

 

My final step is to place it up in a cupboard. Always up the top where it's warmest. As you can see it takes up very little room Try to avoid heat mats to crack seeds unless absolutely necessary.

 

Obviously to check the seeds remove the Cuban and unroll it. If you have multiple strains just roll a Cuban for each and mark the glasses. Beats having multiple plates or marking multiple strains on one plate.

[growbabygrow]

Pretty good write up GS. I do mine in a glass but havent seen this with rolled up viva towel. Doesnt the paper stick to the taproot when you take them out?

[Greenstar]

 

I can't honestly say using viva towel as I only wait till they crack. I used to let the tap root grow for a bit years ago using dunny paper and yes it did grow into the paper a bit so I stopped letting grow out. Viva's a bit tougher but if left long enough It defiantly would. My main reason for paper towel method is to see which seeds crack and which ones don't. As soon as they crack I plant em trying to avoid infections and unnecessary stress. I've done a lot of direct planting into soil but stopped because if I get impatient I tend to have a dig and had damaged sprouts in the process. Cheers GBG

 

Pretty good write up GS. I do mine in a glass but havent seen this with rolled up viva towel. Doesnt the paper stick to the taproot when you take them out?

[growbabygrow]

That makes good sense dude. Cheers bro.

[Sir PsychoHashy]

Interesting idea Greenstar, so obvious that I never would have thought of it.

 

I've never been a fan of the paper towel method myself, purely because of the risk of fungus/mould from an enclosed moist environment with no oxygen flow, it got pretty manky in there the time I tried it.  But using wicking instead of 2 plates or a ziplock bag to maintain moisture levels without starving of oxygen is brilliant.  I reckon I'll give it a try next time, as I also have that impatient habit of digging up the coco to see what's happening and nearly lost one because of it this time.

[Greenstar]

Interesting idea Greenstar, so obvious that I never would have thought of it.

 

I've never been a fan of the paper towel method myself, purely because of the risk of fungus/mould from an enclosed moist environment with no oxygen flow, it got pretty manky in there the time I tried it. But using wicking instead of 2 plates or a ziplock bag to maintain moisture levels without starving of oxygen is brilliant. I reckon I'll give it a try next time, as I also have that impatient habit of digging up the coco to see what's happening and nearly lost one because of it this time.

Yeah mate give it a go. I honestly haven't been able to fault it. Let me know how it goes

the digging around habit is a hard one to break I still have a little dig from time to time on the sly

Edited January 14, 2016 by Greenstar

[Eark]

it's unusual option to start seeding. Sounds interesting for me. ​ 

[Greenstar]

it's unusual option to start seeding. Sounds interesting for me. ​

 

Hi eark,

Yeah it's not something you see every day it's a hybrid method. Glass of water x Paper towel . As you can see its paper towel in a glass of water. A perfect blend of the 2 most popular ways to sprout seeds. I reckon it'll catch on. Thanks.

[billygoat]

Can't really see the point... Unrolling would surely increase the chance of damaging the tap root ?

 

Fresh seeds will pop with little effort with a bit of water and warmth...

[Gumby1]

its a good method for older beans.

 

and a lil extra love and effort cant hurt.. nice.