best way to germinate.

Hey guys, when I used to grow I think I put my seeds in water until they popped open. Now that I am growing again I am trying the wet paper towel method. It doesn't seem to be working that well because my seeds are not popping and they've been in the paper towel for about 3 days.

What do you guys like to do to germinate?

Ive had 100% success with the cup of water method. (best method imo) The paper towel method, the water dries out to fast (for me) and I work for 24 hours when I'm on shift and cant remoisten it. So I don't like using that method. Cup of water method gets my vote.

Mr.me said:

Ive had 100% success with the cup of water method. (best method imo) The paper towel method, the water dries out to fast (for me) and I work for 24 hours when I'm on shift and cant remoisten it. So I don't like using that method. Cup of water method gets my vote.

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Thanks a lot man. That's what I thought was bad about the paper method. It does dry out.
I read that you can't leave the seeds in water more than 32 hours or they will drown.
I don't think thats true because I did it all the time. How long does it take your seeds to pop using the cup of water method?

I had the same experience as you and my seeds died. Later on I did the same thing, only this time I wrapped the whole plate with plastic food wrap, it helped keep the moisture and a day later I had nice 2cm roots.

Mr.me said:

Ive had 100% success with the cup of water method. (best method imo) The paper towel method, the water dries out to fast (for me) and I work for 24 hours when I'm on shift and cant remoisten it. So I don't like using that method. Cup of water method gets my vote.

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You put the paper towel in a Ziplock bag and don't seal it. That keeps it moist. I've had 100% success with it and plant directly from the paper towel into the final pot in 2 days.

TacoMac said:

You put the paper towel in a Ziplock bag and don't seal it. That keeps it moist. I've had 100% success with it and plant directly from the paper towel into the final pot in 2 days.

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That's How I do it.. Never fails

Best way ? lay em on top of wet soil or peat (I use peat pods) in a warm and humid environment and let em do their thing just like in good ol mother nature. Is totally fun to watch

edwardvanhalen123456 said:

Thanks a lot man. That's what I thought was bad about the paper method. It does dry out.
I read that you can't leave the seeds in water more than 32 hours or they will drown.
I don't think thats true because I did it all the time. How long does it take your seeds to pop using the cup of water method?

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Ive had no problem with seeds drowning, ive left mine in there for up 4 days+ ... never had any problem. My current grow, I had there in there for about 48 hours. Obviously each seed is different. Some germ within a day, while others can take a week +

edwardvanhalen123456 said:

Hey guys, when I used to grow I think I put my seeds in water until they popped open. Now that I am growing again I am trying the wet paper towel method. It doesn't seem to be working that well because my seeds are not popping and they've been in the paper towel for about 3 days.

What do you guys like to do to germinate?

Click to expand...

to my blog on the long unfinished write: https://www.rollitup.org/Journal/Entry/germination-101.31319/

RM3 said:

Best way ? lay em on top of wet soil or peat (I use peat pods) in a warm and humid environment and let em do their thing just like in good ol mother nature. Is totally fun to watch

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This!
Straight into the medium in a warm and humid environment gets my vote. If you guys have never tried this then i HIGHLY recommend trying it. Really speeds up that first few weeks

Zip lock bag and a nice thick layer of the cheap brown napkins you get at resteraunts with seeds inbetween is my go to if I wana pop em quick ....but usually I just fill little seed starters with seedling soil drop the beans in ....line little pots up in the bottom of a box mist them good with a spray bottle punch a few holes in the side of the box and clothes pin some clear plastic wrap on top of the box set the whole box on a table under my back patios roof and just keep the medium moist and pop pop pop

Burpie seed starter with dome and the watering mat thing that keeps them watered for ten days. Oh and a heating mat I usually get 100% germination as long as they're good seeds.

edwardvanhalen123456 said:

Hey guys, when I used to grow I think I put my seeds in water until they popped open. Now that I am growing again I am trying the wet paper towel method. It doesn't seem to be working that well because my seeds are not popping and they've been in the paper towel for about 3 days.

What do you guys like to do to germinate?

Click to expand...

IMO best method is to place seeds in a shotglass or cup or whatever of TAP water, not RO or distilled. Once they sink plant them in rock wool or similar cube thoroughly soaked in water. EZ PZ

I feel this is better than letting the seed crack in the water cuz planting it once it has opened is dicey, also, always use tweezers dont touch your seeds, especially once they have hit water.

I always did the cup of water. And it works great. However you do have to be careful with removing the popped seed.

However someone recommended root riot cubes.
So I put 3 in the cubes and 2 in water.
They all popped in less than 28 hours.

Since root riot is so cheap and worked so well I will use these in the future.
They go right into my rockwool and I don't have to handle the seed.
This has to be the best method ever if your not using soil

Mr.me said:

Ive had 100% success with the cup of water method. (best method imo) The paper towel method, the water dries out to fast (for me) and I work for 24 hours when I'm on shift and cant remoisten it. So I don't like using that method. Cup of water method gets my vote.

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Well I took my seeds out of the paper towel method and put the in a cup of water last night.
I woke up and looked and one seed opened in only less than a day lol. So ya the cup method is def the best thank you.

bgmike8 said:

I always did the cup of water. And it works great. However you do have to be careful with removing the popped seed.

However someone recommended root riot cubes.
So I put 3 in the cubes and 2 in water.
They all popped in less than 28 hours.

Since root riot is so cheap and worked so well I will use these in the future.
They go right into my rockwool and I don't have to handle the seed.
This has to be the best method ever if your not using soil

Click to expand...

Ya the cup method is what I''m going to do now, it works way better than the paper towel method.

TacoMac said:

You put the paper towel in a Ziplock bag and don't seal it. That keeps it moist. I've had 100% success with it and plant directly from the paper towel into the final pot in 2 days.

Click to expand...

I guess I don't keep the paper towel wet enough cuz it didn't pop any of my seeds but the cup of water popped them open in one night. Thank you for the reply

purplehays1 said:

IMO best method is to place seeds in a shotglass or cup or whatever of TAP water, not RO or distilled. Once they sink plant them in rock wool or similar cube thoroughly soaked in water. EZ PZ

I feel this is better than letting the seed crack in the water cuz planting it once it has opened is dicey, also, always use tweezers dont touch your seeds, especially once they have hit water.

Click to expand...

Ya it is the best way. How come ppl always say don't touch the seed. I always touch the seed real gentle to put in the dirt.
What can happen if one were to touch the seed. Thanks for your reply sir.

I prefer the bowel movement method, you simply eat a seed and shit in whatever medium you plan on using, for a week. The stomach acid softens the shell and saves you about 2 weeks in the long run.

Shot glass with distilled water ( I have well water too much iron and hard water) -> cupboard over fridge 85-90*->2-3 days max.

I stay away from paper towel method, last time I used paper towel the root got entwined in towel damaging root when I tried to put into pot.

B4L