Starting from seed question

[RoboGro]

In the past I would just put a seed in small styrofoam cups with potting soil and set them in the window. It worked fairly well that way but this time I decided to do the paper towel method. I got 6 out of 12 seeds that showed the white part coming out of the seed. These I put these in styrofoam cups with potting soil. So now I'm wondering, should I have them under light now or wait till they break out of the dirt?

TIA

RoboGro Reviewed by RoboGro on 05-16-2006. Starting from seed question In the past I would just put a seed in small styrofoam cups with potting soil and set them in the window. It worked fairly well that way but this time I decided to do the paper towel method. I got 6 out of 12 seeds that showed the white part coming out of the seed. These I put these in styrofoam cups with potting soil. So now I'm wondering, should I have them under light now or wait till they break out of the dirt? TIA Rating: 5

[horror business]

Well, here's how I do it.

I take a paper towel and put it under the faucet. It will get wet, then I squeeze some water out, so it's not soaking wet, but still a little more wet than moist.
I put about 10 seeds (bag seeds that look good and aren't broken) on the paper towel, and fold it a few times. I then put the towel in a Zip Lock Freezer bag, and seal it, except for about an inch. Then I put it in between my modem and my router (for my broadband). It's warm and dark there. In 3-4 days, when I go to inspect the seeds, 90% of them usually are germinated, and have the white root coming out of the seed, about 1/2" minimum. I then plant it about 1/2" into some soil, root tip sticking down, and then sprinkle some soil, so I can still see some of the seed. I then water the soil, and I leave the lights on, so it stays warm.

I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong, or if there's a better way to do it, but I've always had really good results doing it that way.
Anyway, good luck.
Peace,
horror business :rasta:

[RoboGro]

Here's what seems to be working best for me;

I put the seeds in a papertowel and get it very wet with distilled water. This, I put into a plastic bag and cover with a black mousepad above my computer.

I check the seeds every 24 hours or so and when I find one that's poping out, I put it in a large styrofoam cup filled with damp potting soil. I put these on a lower shelf thats semi-dark. I check them frequently and when a seedling breaks ground I put them under 24 hour light. If I had another timer I would probably put them under 20/4 light.

The large cups should be ideal for transplanting into pots once they begin to get root bound in the cups. I hope to see a growth spurt when transplanting as the roots will have a chance to stretch after getting out of the cups.

What do ya think?

[krustythfreakinclown]

I only put them in soil/peat pellet and keep it moist and covered until it sprouts. I keep it in the dark until it sprouts with temperatures 70+ degrees Farenheit.

I've gotten 80+% germination with that method.