Seed Germination using the Baggy Method

So sorry to hear that Kristen. I think we have all done something similar.

 

I have used variations on this method for larger hard coated seed, the first time I used it was for Date stones. I simply put the stones in a bag with enough slightly damp vermiculite to cover them and placed them in a warm cupboard, after just 2 weeks (I was led to believe dates took longer?) I had 19 out of 20 stones germinating.

I also used the same method for Lychees and had 100% germination from about 15 stones within 1 week to 10 days.

The last ones I tried were seed from a Custard Apple, it took about 2 weeks for the first one to germinate but within a week of the first one all had germinated.

Definitely thinking of trying the method again for some stuff I struggled with in standard compost etc...

 

I don't use a bag for stratifying seeds: What I do is layer the bottom of a little pastic fridge storage container with kitchen towel, spray it with water, lay the seeds out on top of it and then more kitchen towel on top of the seeds, spray more water on that, seal with the lid and bung it in the fridge. A used margarine tub will work equally well. Such containers are easier to stack in the fridge than bags.

I never had success with bagging germinating seeds because I always got mould on top of the compost where the seeds were. That was until I decided to cut a hole in the top of the bag and left the bottom open to circulate air and now it's not too bad. Same with propagators: I leave the top vent open and prop up the bottom of the lid to circulated air.

 

Not used Tupperware for seeds in the fridge, but I do for things like Broad Beans and Parsnips where I start off a lot of seed.

But for me it wouldn't have worked in the fridge - I had about 100 bags in the fridge last year ... couldn't get that much Tupperware in my fridge! (Assuming I could afford it !!)

 

After putting my post on yesterday morning I went and had a root through my seeds in the fridge and found a packet of Datura "ballerina mix" that I picked up in wilko's sale last year.

I've never used the kitchen towel in a bag method so I thought I'd give it a try; 20 seeds (should have been 15 - bargain ) were evenly spaced out on the kitchen towel dampened with warm water, I placed it in a bag, sealed it, leaving a little air inside and popped it on top of our combi-boiler in the 'warm' cupboard.

Out of curiosity I have just had a look and all the seeds have swelled and one even has a little root emerging!!! ~ after just 24hrs...

Any tips on how best to transfer them to pots should they continue to develop healthily....???

 

Peter , you use just a single sheet of paper with the seeds on you don't fold it in two to make a pocket ? So the seeds are touching the paper and the plastic bag.
I last used this method 2 years ago . I am trying it again this year with some "easy" seeds with have decided not to be easy this year

PS - like Bilbo I would like a few pointers on transferring very very delicate seedlings to pots.........TIA

 

Fiddly, of course, but less so with larger seeds.

For seeds that have "chitted" and just have a little root showing I make a shallow depression in a 3" / 9cm pot (or a module if you prefer) pop the seed in, and gently cover over.

I loosely file the pots to the brim, shake slightly to make sure no air pockets, and don't firm them at all. My thought is that open structure makes it easier for the roots. After watering for a few weeks it compacts down to the level of the inner-lip and leaves a watering space

For smaller seeds it might be better to put the bag, vertical, in the light and await some shoots so you can then prick out like a normal seedling.

I suppose if its a small piece of kitchen paper, and there are relatively few seeds, and they all germinate together rather than erratically, you could just lay the paper on top of the compost, and gently sift some more over, and let the roots grow through the paper. Make sure the paper is really wet before laying it on the compost and that none is in contact with the surface/air otherwise it will dry out like a wick.

But I've done so few I'd be interested in other people's experiences.

 

I would have some cells with soil in the propagator ready Bilbo. Lift off the paper as soon as the root emerges and dib that into the warmed up cells with the seed just above the surface.

 

Well done Bilbo.

I seem to have crossed with Kristen and LongK. But essentially agree with them

I tend to transfer them out virtually as soon as they germinate. Though I did leave some in the bag once as an experiment to see how long they would survive without any nourishment. I opened the bag at intervals to breath in CO2 and they lasted over two months - so there is some leeway.

I use old stamp tweezers, which have smooth round edges rather than eyebrow tweezers which have sharp edges. I hold them by the seed case, which doesn't seem to hurt, and place them on the surface of a pot of compost. Sometimes I make a little hole and try and drop the root into the hole, but it might be just as easy to lay it flat on the surface and sprinkle a bit of compost on top.

I then put the pot in a covered propagator for a while, to stop the young root drying out.

 

Reading this got me trying the Deno method again. I placed 8 Salvia Farinacea Fairy Queen seeds on bog standard Kitchen paper sprayed with a copper solution folded it envelope style and placed into a plastic zip lock bag . Now getting wet paper into a plastic bag is not easy as Peters said , this step does need refining 5 days later 100% germination ! The normal seed surface sown has given 40-50% germination. I transfered the germinated seeds , about half the size of a rice grain , into seed compost and vermiculite with tweezers. Now waiting to see how many will pop there heads up
PS thats Deno method not dendo

 

I put paper in dry, add seeds, hold bag open and add liquid (Copper solution) using a spray bottle, pictures on my Blog:

http://kgarden.wordpress.com/tips/sowing-seeds-indoors/seed-germination-using-the-baggy-method/

 

I've only used this method for daylily seeds, but have had over 90% success every time, just sown them in slightly damp vermiculite(not too wet all they'll rot) with most of the air squeezed out the bags(mainly so they'll all fit in the fridge) take 6-8 weeks but did have several bags germinate in a week this year, as they have quite thick roots I leave them in the fridge to develope a bit before potting up, interesting blog, I'll be trying some of my finer seeds with the paper towel method.

 

Well after the initial speedy development they slowed down, but within a few days most had a little root emerging. I then transferred them to 'Jiffy' pellets, just placed on the surface and pressed in a little; I then popped them in the heated propergator and after another couple of days 3 or 4 are continuing to germinate nicely I might finally have cracked my Datura curse..

 

After having an annus horribilis ( that's a horrible year not bottom ) with my shock wave petunia seed - only 3 survived out of 60 ! I have ordered some more and will try the paper baggy method.
Watch this space

Bilbo ~ what do you think of Jiffy pellets ? I have never used them.

Simbad ~ did your seeds germinate in the fridge

 

Hi Harry, I like the Jiffy pellets, but they're not ideal for all seed, the problem with them is that they need to be kept quite moist otherwise they soon dry out, so they're not ideal for seed that needs to be kept on the dry side.

The big advantage with them is that no pricking out is needed, you simply pot the whole thing up so you get no root disturbance.

They're brilliant for small cuttings too; like fuchsia's..

There are two different ones available, the peaty type ones and another that is a coir (I think) type fibre (these are good for cuttings)..