growing 101- everyone help out please

[the mole]

Ill see if my new medication allows me to do this :stoned:
help me out ,add things i leave out, correct me when am wrong.

seeds

the mole Reviewed by the mole on 11-02-2005. growing 101- everyone help out please Ill see if my new medication allows me to do this :stoned: help me out ,add things i leave out, correct me when am wrong. seeds Rating: 5

[the mole]

seeds seeds should be kept cool and dry for long term storage, disiccant can be put into a container, then a smaller container holding the seeds can be put inside of it,to keep them separated and dry.

Dry rice is sometimes used as a subsitute for disiccant.

Pale green seeds with no pattern are immature, BUT some of them will still grow, for best results use dark seeds that are free of imperfections. If you have just recieved fresh seeds or produced your own, letting them age one month will help in germination. Generally old seeds will take longer to sprout, and will have a larger failure rate, but if they are a favorite strain, give them a chance, it may take 4 weeks for weak seeds to sprout.

I plant my seeds directly into the potting soil, at least 1/8 inch deep but no more than a 1/4 inch, actually the general gardening rule is to plant seeds as deep, as they are thick.

SOAKING
the paper towel method, wet 2 layers of white ,paper towels under running water, remove from the water and hold them up by 2 corners for a minute to drain off excess water. Lay out both layers on a plate or tray, place the seeds on the towels and cover them with another towel, thats been wetted the same way.
They need to stay moist so add water as they dry or , put the plate into a sealed plastic bag, the temp should be steady 78 degress, or between 70 to 85. Check your seeds every 12 hours, it will take 2 days to 2 weeks befor they crack, usually its 2 to 4 days.
When a root tip emerges from the seed,gently plant the seed with the root tip pointing down .Light is not necessary intell the plant emerges from the planting medium, but it will provide warmth.

water glass
distilled water kept in a warm location can be used to soak seeds,drop in the seeds ,if they immmediately sink, there probly dead, usually good seeds float about 12 hours then sink. You can soak this way 12 to 24 hours ,then plant them, or wait tell the seed cracks , this soaking just speeds the germination process. Some folks add a drop of superthrive to the water, DO NOT ADD BLEACH.

You cant sex seeds by looking at them, seeds are differant sizes,some are tiny, some huge, I may be wrong but i think if a plant is lightly pollinated it will produce larger seeds than a plant thats producing thousands of seeds.

did i do ok? i know theres alot more,but thats the basics

disiccant= used as a drying agent ,same stuff in the little packs that come with stereo equipment, can be bought for many things, try a gun store(it stops rust)

germination= adding enough moisture and heat to a seed so it begins to grow.

[latewood]

I think you did a great job my man, Mole, you are the first person that has mentioned rice as a "dissicant"...I've been doing this for years...good job...this will help alot of people out...thanks, latewood
PS...I read somewhere that you are an experienced outdoor grower...I might want to get some info from you for the spring, but I might try a semi-outdoor grow sometime between now and the first of the year...I'll explain later...latewood

[Mctuffet]

dang out had some time on your hands.

[Fugitive]

excuse but what does dissicant mean?

[lemonboy]

Desiccant. You know when you see grains of rice in salt shakers? It's because the rice absorbs excess water keeping the salt fresh. Sometimes you find packs of silica gel in pills or clothing, etc... Both examples of desiccants.

[the mole]

FUGITIVE-
look at the bottom of the thread

[Garden Knowm]

Latewood..
semi outdoor is awesome..

clones inside.. and then flower outside..
especially if your winter climate allows..

some amazing results without the electrical bill.

one guy even used a heater to keep his plants warm at night in make-shift green house..

I love the SUN!!

[Garden Knowm]

but.. this numb nut I know did the opposite.. started outside and moved inside.. real bad move.. only do it if it is neccessary.. when the plants came inside tey stretched out.. a lot!!!

fyi - he was using a 400 watt at about 15 inches.. not a great set up...

[RastaKaze]

I personally think the papertowel method a little pointless. I pop my seeds right into some waterlogged soil, and never water 'em again. I usually see sprouts by day 2 or day 3. By day 5 they've all sprouted... and I've never gotten less then 100% germination