Best way to start seeds off?

[NeuroGheist]

I germ em in a wet paper towel, inside of a ziplock bag, ontop of my motherboard (for warmth), with a black shirt over the bag (for darkness), for about 3 days. Not turning my computer off during this entire germination period.

By then, they're popped and the taproot is out enough.

I then rather plant them directly in a medium of 50/50 perlite and peat moss, or into peat pellets, for about 2-3 weeks.

After then (if peat pellets are used and 2-3 weeks have passed and the stock is starting to look thick), I transplant them automatically to that 50/50 prementioned medium, in 2-3 gallon pots, and put a fan on them. Watering and nuteing them as needed.

After that, they grow like the plague.

[dutch.lover]

Wow, this is an old thread that just got bumped...

I have to change my previous comments; namely, that SensaSoak has turned out to be utter garbage, and the peat pellets have that shitty wrapping on them that stunts growth, plus they hold way too much water.

It's all about nice, light soil.

I used to use the peat pellets both for planting fresh cuttings in and for seedlings. I actually found that they dried out too quick, probably cause they're so small. All the plants I had in them are doing great now, although that wrapping on them must inhibit root growth- I'm sure my last clones would have rooted faster if it wasnt for that. Now I use peat pots, basically just a pot made out of pressed peat. The soil mix in them is 50% perlite, and regular ol potting soil- sand, perlite, and peat moss.

As for my germinating method, its very similar to other peoples. I just put a very damp paper towel folded a couple times on a plate, put the seeds on top, more damp paper towel, and then i cover it with something (usually just another plate). I keep them above my fridge where it's dark, and nice and warm.

[babystarbud]

ive always used paper towels on a dish in a warmish dark cupboard.
about 5 layers on bottom, and covered with a lid of 5 layers.

it works so consistantly well for me that ive never needed to consider any other method.

as long as is kept damp, ( it can catch you un-awares f you dont keep an eye on it and dry out) wet to the touch, but not wet enough for any dribbles to run off if you turn the dish on its side.

when they sprout, i put them the light, in soil, root down, but barely covering the top of the seed...somtimes the seed top visible in the soil.
ive yet to kill a seedling thats germinated...come close a few times but they are strong little buggers!

[Bree1978]

ive always used paper towels on a dish in a warmish dark cupboard.
about 5 layers on bottom, and covered with a lid of 5 layers.

it works so consistantly well for me that ive never needed to consider any other method.

as long as is kept damp, ( it can catch you un-awares f you dont keep an eye on it and dry out) wet to the touch, but not wet enough for any dribbles to run off if you turn the dish on its side.

when they sprout, i put them the light, in soil, root down, but barely covering the top of the seed...somtimes the seed top visible in the soil.ive yet to kill a seedling thats germinated...come close a few times but they are strong little buggers!

I do this part but I skip the papertowel bit. I do the little bit of water -leave some seed with air touching- in the dark coffee cup in a warm room (very little light). Soon as the seed cracks, I know it's good. Then I do what what babystarbud does. I use my fingers, but if you aren't gentle use a plastic spoon when scooping out the seed. I really dislike the towel method, it always smells and I am leary about putting the few drops of bleach in there. Just my 2 cents.