Germination Problems, Help Please

Whats up Phant0m...

This is how I have 100% germ rate so far. I take 2-3 paper towels and soak them in tap water then ring it out but not too much. I then begin to fold it over itself many times until its a thick square of moist folds( if that makes sense). Put the seeds in the middle and put the stack in a ziplock baggie. I put the bag inside of a black dvd case and sit the case on something warm like a tv or computer monitor. I even sometimes put the case close to a light bulb to warm it up because the light wont penetrate the dvd case.
Usually within 24-48 hours they have a good root coming out and ready to be planted.

I have also used the water in a shotglass or whatever method but it seemed to take a few days longer. Have had seeds take up to 5 days as well so be patient and goodluck.

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Originally Posted by GetThisOrDie

Whats up Phant0m...

This is how I have 100% germ rate so far. I take 2-3 paper towels and soak them in tap water then ring it out but not too much. I then begin to fold it over itself many times until its a thick square of moist folds( if that makes sense). Put the seeds in the middle and put the stack in a ziplock baggie. I put the bag inside of a black dvd case and sit the case on something warm like a tv or computer monitor. I even sometimes put the case close to a light bulb to warm it up because the light wont penetrate the dvd case.
Usually within 24-48 hours they have a good root coming out and ready to be planted.

I have also used the water in a shotglass or whatever method but it seemed to take a few days longer. Have had seeds take up to 5 days as well so be patient and goodluck.

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Thank you sir! Jesus, 100% :O This will most defiantly be my next attempt method, if the two seeds that have soaked in water then straight into a jiffy don't work! And if they do, yay! I don't want to start up more seeds just in case this does work, only have room for ~2 plants (closet growing).

Its good having more than one input, seeing other peoples methods.
Thanks all that have helped

I tend to not go for the paper towel thing because of the shock factor... Why take another chance of acclimating open air sprout to dirt???

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Originally Posted by TheChameleon

I tend to not go for the paper towel thing because of the shock factor... Why take another chance of acclimating open air sprout to dirt???

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Yeah fair enough, seems alot more natural to just pop a seed in dirt.

UPDATE: Keeping the jiffys in a cup, gladwrap over top, moist, dark, and at around 26°C (78°F). No sign of anything as of yet. Been around 36hours.

I just want the little plants to start growing :D

Hahahaha,,, it's like watching water boil...

I planted 7 Nirvana Papaya seeds over 7 days ago. None sprouted..:(...

...so, I planted 7 homemade Nirvana WW seeds...next to the papaya seeds...and they popped in 4 days...as usual...:thumbsup:...I can tell they are the WW's because of the location in the cup....a little off center.

If the papaya pop later?...they have to beat the WW's to the draw...:pimp:

winner takes all

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Originally Posted by Phant0m

Things I know i did wrong: Tap water, if this is a big problem i will use purified next try?

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Seeds prefer a slightly acidic enviornment to germinate. That's why most peat based seed starting mixes are unbuffered. (peat moss is acidic)

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Originally Posted by Phant0m

Am I meant to keep them dark?

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Yes, keep them in the dark till they crack.

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Originally Posted by Phant0m

Is there anything else I can do? I heard something about shaking the seeds around in a match box. Soaking the seeds in water for 24hours.

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You're missing part of the matchbox technique. (the sandpaper lining) Some harder to crack seeds benefit from scuffing the shell a bit. This removes some of the seed's waxy coating and allows moisture in. The seed absorbs the waqter making it swell and crack-open. But don't overdo it with the sanding.

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Originally Posted by Phant0m

PS. Sorry, couldn't seem to get previews working for the pictures so you'll have to open up the links.

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Did you try to upload the pictures as an attachment? (the paperclip symbol)

Have patience. Sometimes they just take a while.

Woohoo, lots of interest now! Thanks!

Darn, 7 days! It has almost been 60 hours for me, so I'm still awhile off you.

Cool, well the seeds are in the jiffy so hopefully they're slightly acidic.

And no, I didn't know about the paper clip attachment button, next picture I up I'll try it out (hopefully of some little plants popping up to say Hi).

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Phant0m

Woohoo, lots of interest now! Thanks!

Darn, 7 days! It has almost been 60 hours for me, so I'm still awhile off you.

Cool, well the seeds are in the jiffy so hopefully they're slightly acidic.

And no, I didn't know about the paper clip attachment button, next picture I up I'll try it out (hopefully of some little plants popping up to say Hi).

Thanks!

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Jiffy's are peat...

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Originally Posted by TheChameleon

Jiffy's are peat...

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Ahh then I should be set then.


Its been 4 days (I think), still nothing. Doing as I have been doing, warm, moist and dark.

To get some soil acidic if I wanted to try just planting the seeds straight into a little pot, what could I use that I'd have a home? I've done basic chemistry at school. Vinegar?

Oh, are all MH lights the same? I found this on an auction site, "TRANSFORMER / BALAST FOR METAL HALIDE LAMP AND LIGHT - ALL WIRED UP READY TO BE PLUGED IN. 70W"
But the title reads: "ROUND MH (HPS) DOWNLIGHT AND CONTROL GEAR 70W", MH and HPS are defiantly different, right?
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Would it be ok for a closet grow? So far I have 120+W of CFLs, I thought it'd be enough for a single plant, but I have room for two now and am worried it won't be enough light. (Budget is tight so I can't just go out and buy a 250W HPS)

Thanks