Why pre germinate seeds?

SubZer0Genetics

SubZer0Genetics

Well-Known Member
When I first started growing I was under the impression that pre germinating in a paper towel was the way to go. 2 years later, the only seeds Ive had trouble growing were ones I pre germinated. I’ve had a damn near perfect (outside of my own neglegance) germ rate planting directly into medium or rockwoll cube. Besides breeding purposes and germinating large qauntities, what benefit if any comes from pre germinating? Seems like more of a risk than anything. Ie skin oil, proper mishandling.
 
I used to soak until I got tails but had problems with that so now just scarify my seeds first in a pill jar lined with 150 grit sandpaper and plant directly into pots. Going to do a bunch now in 3" square pots filled with a 50:50 mix of ProMix HP and ProMix Veg and Herb. I scoop a spoonful of it out and put in some promix that has been screened thru a 1mm mesh so the seed doesn't get set in an air pocket but the tap root grows into the pot easily where there is some nutes for it to eat. The finer screened stuff basically keeps the seed coddled in wet mix and decent seeds come up in a few days. If I have lots of seeds of that strain I'll put two in each pot to make sure I get one at least tho usually end up with two and just keep the best one after they have a couple of nodes and show their vigor.

I never did like the paper towel method or those rapid rooters.

:peace:
 
Funny you mention this, because I just managed to somehow lose one of two feminized Cheese seeds I was soaking in a paper towel. I get impatient waiting for them to germ, so I was unfolding the towel to scope them out and must have dropped one on the ground. I felt like kicking myself in the nuts for being such a doofus. I'm lucky the other seed did germinate and is now in a peat pellet.

But anyway, as to your "why" question, in my case it's partly due to stinginess. I have peat pellets and other stuff that I could just poke seeds into and walk away, but if a seed isn't going to germ I don't want to "waste" a peat pellet on it. So I often end up soaking seeds overnight in a glass of water, waiting for a root to show before I put them in solid medium like maybe vermiculite or a peat pellet.

I guess my reasoning is that if I put a seed in a peat pellet or just a little cup with dirt in it, water it, and a week later there's still no signs of germination, how do I know what went wrong? I'd have to tear the peat pellet apart and see if the seed ever sprouted a root. I guess I'd rather know that before I put the seed somewhere it can't be observed directly.
 
i just throw mine into those root riot cubes hooked up to a drip system. they usually pop in 3-4 days. seems to me that the seedlings probably appreciate not being moved around as much as the paper towel method requires

MichiganMedGrower said:
I germinate like the paper towel method but use a coffee filter. The filter does not stick to the fine root hairs like a paper towel.

I want to know my seed is viable before planting.
Click to expand...

that was always my problem with the paper towel. i had no idea that the coffee filter was seed friendly. going to keep this maneuver in mind
 
I germinate in paper towels because I like to visibly see if the seeds are viable before planting them. I usually keep them in there just until they crack or have a little root stub poking out so they don't get big enough to get stuck in the paper towels.

You can also just plant straight into dirt, cubes, jiffy pellets anything honestly....they all work. It really depends on what the grower prefers. I wouldn't listen to anyone calling people "noobs" based on how they germinate, they are noobs themselves thinking it can only be done one way.
 
thenasty1 said:
i just throw mine into those root riot cubes hooked up to a drip system. they usually pop in 3-4 days. seems to me that the seedlings probably appreciate not being moved around as much as the paper towel method requires



that was always my problem with the paper towel. i had no idea that the coffee filter was seed friendly. going to keep this maneuver in mind
Click to expand...


I learned it from Pete at Ch9 seeds.
 
There is no good reason to use the paper towel method. The only thing you can do to a germinated seed by handling it is to damage it.
 
I always thought "pre" germinating is more trouble than it's worth. I just drop them into a yogurt cup with some soil, hydrate it well, and cover the top with a ziplock bag. A seed mat usually helps get things started quicker. Since all my beans are fresh they pretty much pop off every time. On the rare occasions that nothing happens in 3-5 days I simply drop in another seed. The baggie comes off as soon as they sprouts....they are transplanted to solo cups a few weeks later.
 
dubekoms said:
I germinate in paper towels because I like to visibly see if the seeds are viable before planting them. I usually keep them in there just until they crack or have a little root stub poking out so they don't get big enough to get stuck in the paper towels.

You can also just plant straight into dirt, cubes, jiffy pellets anything honestly....they all work. It really depends on what the grower prefers. I wouldn't listen to anyone calling people "noobs" based on how they germinate, they are noobs themselves thinking it can only be done one way.
Click to expand...

Nope the noobs just made it look like the paper towel method is fool proof when in fact its not. Either way is fine but soil will have almost zero error for chance whereas paper towel could grow too long a tap root, break, stress from handling, hate chems in paper towels etc etc etc.

Its like when peeps think weed needs to be cured or it taste crap but some good growers point out the real truth. Paper towel is not needed and gets a lot of hype but not much fact :-)
 
Kingrow1 said:
Nope the noobs just made it look like the paper towel method is fool proof when in fact its not. Either way is fine but soil will have almost zero error for chance whereas paper towel could grow too long a tap root, break, stress from handling, hate chems in paper towels etc etc etc.

Its like when peeps think weed needs to be cured or it taste crap but some good growers point out the real truth. Paper towel is not needed and gets a lot of hype but not much fact :-)
Click to expand...
I agree it ain't foolproof but then again I'm not a fool lol like I said there's a million ways to germinate seeds and how you go about getting it done is completely up to the grower and what they prefer and feel most comfortable with.
 
Kingrow1 said:
Its like when peeps think weed needs to be cured or it taste crap but some good growers point out the real truth. Paper towel is not needed and gets a lot of hype but not much fact :-)
Click to expand...
Hey if you prefer the taste of uncured weed more power to you! It's your weed so do whatever you want with it. People like myself prefer a nice slow cold dry and a good long cure, imo it tastes better and burns smoother. That's why I love this hobby, you as the grower are in control of all the aspects of the grow and can grow your medicine to your liking :peace:
 
If concerned about chemical traces in coffee filters you can get unbleached ones. I have a pack of the round ones made by Melita that I use to filter my colloidal silver. I just use the basket from a coffee maker to hold and drain the liquid nicely. They have the cone ones too.
 
OldMedUser said:
So you think uncured pot tastes as good as properly cured bud? And I thought I had an unrefined palate. ;)
Click to expand...

So you think putting dry weed in a jar changes it, obviously never tried drying for as long as the cure then comparing...!

Yes theres a lot of hype i just say it as it is, well until you all came here trying to change things like you actually know the finer details...!

Whats a jar got to do with weed chemistry?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

E
At my wits end popping seeds
2
Replies
37
Views
4K
EduardoCorochio
E
Woedae
Fool proof seed germination
Replies
7
Views
924
Farmer's Hat
Farmer's Hat
RQSGlobal
What Do Experts Think of Royal Queen Seeds F1 Hybrids?
Replies
7
Views
2K
backwood_boss
backwood_boss
Grow_man731
Germination and darkness
Replies
11
Views
832
Flork
Flork
E
Need Help From Someone Who Is Familiar With Autoflowering Outdoors.
Replies
5
Views
2K
Humanrob
Humanrob
Back
Top